Mack Dougal qualifies for $4500 Winter Cup

Press, 8 May 1978, Page 32

Mack Dougal qualifies for $4500 Winter Cup

By G. K. YULE Mack Dougal qualified for a start in the 54500 Canterbury Park Winter Cup on May 26 when he held off Johnny Regalo by a neck in the NX Autumn Stakes at Addington Raceway on Saturday. Mack Dougal paid a false win price of $11.45 considering that only two starts earlier hi won on the course. In between he finished eighth at Ashburton, where he was driven by his youthful trainer, Roger Win-1 ter.

On Saturday Mack Dougal, as in most of his racing, was driven by Robin Butt, who sent him to the front at the 2000 m. He slipped the field early in the run home,

and although Johnny Regalo closed on nim rapidly near the line, he did not really look like being mastered. “He was loafing when away out on his own,” said Butt. “He’s a ton better with other horses around him.” It was a splendid run as he returned 3min 21 As for the mobile 2600 m. The last 400 m took about 29.65. As in the other races, the field had to battle at least twice into a cold damp southerly wind.

Johnny Regalo put in a dogged run for his second, 'four lengths in front of Bad I Luck, which did remarkably well considering he was wide out for the first 1200 m. Westbum Vue came , strongly from far back for 1 fourth only half a head back, a short length in front

of the rather unlucky Ruling River.

The surprise favourite, Star Chance, paced roughly and finished tenth, four places behind Jenlight. The latter was perfectly placed one off the fence behind Johnny Regalo in the early part, but later he ended up on the rails. Port View showed her penchant for mobile races when she gained the easiest of wins in the Lantana Lodge Ladies’ Mile and in doing so she earned a place on the 2min list. This will give her added value at the stud for her Hororata owner, Mr Charlie Hunt, whose newphew, Bill Hunt, trains the mare at Templeton. Denis Nyhan drove Port View with a fair amount of confidence, allowing her to

become properly balanced before asking her to improve. She passed the tearaway pacemaker, Seafield Hanover, early in the run home and, without being pushed, won by a length. Seafield Hanover lasted for second, a head in front of the fine three-year-old, Lady’s Ruel, five back early. She came with a most determined run, to hold out another bold finisher in Copper Hanover by half a length. The others, headed by Maori Maud and Gay Black, were never serious chances.

Seafield Hanover was responsible for a torrid pace, the opening quarter taking 28.65, and the half-mile, 58.65. The three-quarter mark was reached in Imin 29.85.