March Legend fails

Press, 5 June 1978, Page 12

March Legend fails

NZPA Brisbane, The New Zealand hope, March Legend, failed miserably in the, $61,500 Stradbroke Handicap; (1400 m at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The race was won by tlie six-year-old entire, Innisfree, whose time of Imin 21.9 sec equalled the course record. March Legend, the 4-to-l favourite, was among the last away in the 20-horse field and finished a disappointing twelfth. He pulled up sore in the off foreleg, and his owner-trainer, Don Nash, intends to have the leg X-rayed.

Innisfree was ridden by Greg Hall, aged 21, son of the horse’s trainer, Ron Hall. He produced a withering finish to beat the Irish import, Galway Bay (5-to-l) with Kelly’s Eye (12-to-l) third. Future plans for Innisfree are in some doubt. His owner. Bob Morris, wants to retire him permanently to stud, but Hall sees no reason why he should not keep racing, and intends to contest the Doomben 100,000-Doom-ben Cup double with him next month. Because of trouble with the suspensory ligaments in both forelegs, Innisfree was “rested” last year with a season at stud, and 19 of the 20 mares he served are due to foal this spring. The euphoria of Greg Hall at his winning ride was short-lived. Stewards charged him with careless riding by allowing Innisfree to shift out on to Kelly’s Eve in the closing stages and imposed a suspension until June 30.