Racing and trotting Kotare Gunner shows sharp speed

Press, 23 February 1978, Page 18

Racing and trotting Kotare Gunner shows sharp speed

By

R. L>. GARDINER

Kotare Gunner was the most impressive trialist at Addington yesterday when he ran away from a field of maiden trotters in the smart time of 3 min 30.4 s for the 2600 m journey.

Kotare Gunner, a three-year-old by Bay Foyle, begar best and soon had his six rivals struggling. He increased his lead the further they went and had 25 lengths to spare at the line after running his last 800 m :

■ I in Imin 2s, the last 400 m in , 3125. i King Dhu, which headed : the chase throughout, easily ■ held second ahead of Tuati>ahi Lass and Propel. i Kotare Gunner has shown promise in non-totalisator

events and will be a leading contender for major honours in the New Zealand Trotting Stakes to be run at Addington next month.

Even Speed was again much too strong in the event for more tightly-as-sessed trotters. After the gelding broke and lost 30m at the start, Wes Butt gave him a nice run in mid-field. Marsha Donna, which had set the pace, broke on the home turn and Even Speed ran on for an effortless win. He ran the last 1600 m in 2min 8.65, the last 400 m taking 30.45.

Jerry’s Best did well for second a length and a half back with the same margin to Marsha Donna (third), which settled quickly. Lord Moose showed he was nearing his best for a tilt at the Easter Cup when leading for the last 2000 m in the main event for pacers.

He took 3min 28.6 s for the 2600 m, the last mile in 2min 9.8 s and the final 800 m in Imin 2s.

Tara Drive came from well back for second a length in front of Canis Minor, which was wide in the middle stages, with a head back to the early pacemaker, Connoisseur. CO PACERS, 2600m—Never Better J. Noble 1; Masarko Hanover M. Shinn 2; Cookie Bear B. Gliddon 3. Ten started. Half a length, head, same. Morano Del fourth. Time: 3:33.9. CO TROTTERS, 2600m—Kotare Gunner G. Hillier 1; King Dhu M. Gillum 2; Tuatahi Lass R. Butt 3. Seven started. Twentyfive lengths. 12 lengths, half a head. Propel fourth. Time: 3:30.4.

Cl-C6 TROTTERS, 2600 m Even Speed W. Butt 1; Jerry’s Best D. Jones 2; Marsha Donna D. Mangos 3. Six started. Length and a half, same, five lengths. Lady Estes fourth. Time: 3:32.7.

CO PACERS, 2600m—Timely Proposal J.- Noble 1; Highview Min M. Shinn 2: Falcon Ridge R. Butt 3. Nine started. Length, length and a quarter, neck. La Macana fourth. Time: 3:34.7.

Cl-C8 PACERS, 2600m—Lord Moose R. Butt 1; Tara Drive D. Mangos 2; Canis Minor R. Stockdale 3. Eleven started. Length and a half, length, head. Conoisseur fourth. Time: 3:28.6.