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Press, 6 March 1978, Page 22

Australians have often over-estimated the capabilities of their trotters but the glowing reports about the potential of Maori’s Idol were confirmed in the second of the two heats for horses of that gait at Moonee Valley on Saturday, writes G. K. Yule from Melbourne. Maori’s Idol, from 25m, had the field at his mercy after 50m. Driven with supreme confidence by Bryan Healy, he recorded 3min 12.3 sec for the 2400 m and he completed his task as though he was out for .ome light exercise. He won under double wraps by 10 lengths front the Duntroon-trained Wai-

pounamu, which almost went into a speed wobble as he tried to get within striking distance of the favourite on the home turn. VVaipounamu tried valiantly but he was simply outclassed. He lasted for second two metres in front of Storm Rider with Silken making ground for fourth. Maori’s Idol has a remarkable record. The five-year-old has had 34 starts for 32 wins and two seconds worth $57,603. He has now had 23 consecutive wins and will no doubt equal the winning sequel of 24, held by Lucky Creed, when he

races on Wednesday, then on Saturday. There will be few prepared to bet against him holding the record outright. Spartan Prince raced well below his best when beaten into third place in the first of the two heats. He trotted .oughly early and looked likely to break with 900 m to go when still trying to wrest the lead from Bold Appeal. Spartan Prince and Bold Appeal vied for the lead from the start and quickly drew out from the others. “I tried to drop in behind the other fellow but immediately I eased back he slowed the pace so 1 was left parked out,” said

“Doody” Townley. “Even so he wasn’t trotting all that comfortably. The race will do him a lot of good and he’ll go better later on,” he said. Touch Merchant, an 11-vear-old. received the run of the race and recorded his 39th win, advancing his winnings to close to $115,000. Their chances of keeping within sight of Maori’s Idol in next Saturday’s $25,000 Final look remote in the extreme. New Zealand had another runner in Yadran in this heat but after an early lapse he was never a chance and beat only three.