World-class effort by Genesis

Press, 5 June 1978, Page 13

World-class effort by Genesis

By G. K YULE

A scintillating 2400 m on a dead track in the New Zealand record time of 3min 11.2 s was required from Genesis so that he could beat Prince Rapide by a neck in the Sapling Stakes at Ashburton on Saturday. Arden Bay’s New Zealand record was 3min 12.4 s on an all-weather track, while Olga Korbut’s previous race record was 3min 13.55, giving added lustre to the run of Genesis.

It was a world-class performance by the son of Out to Win and it was one which must go a long way towards earning him the title of “two-year-old pacer of the year.” This will be decided at Alexandra Park on June 24 in the $lO,OOO New Zealand Juvenile Championship. Genesis will be one of the leading contenders for that important race and among his rivals will be Trio, winner of the Welcome Stakes, and the Thames Juvenile Stakes. I The win of Genesis on 'Saturday was a tributee to thee skill of his trainer

Saturday was a tribute to the skill of his trainer — driver, Trevor Thorfias, as he had not started in a race since March 25 when third to Trio in the Welcome Stake .

The responsibility for the strength-sapping pace rested on Avalon, which raced extremely keenly early and his driver, Denis Nyhan, decided to' allow him to make his own rules. “I felt there was no use in fighting him to try and get him to relax,” said Nyhan afterwards. “I decided to'let him run along and hope the others couldn’t keep up.” And the majority of the field were staggering with more than 800 m left, so much so that there was a long wait for the fifth horse to pass the post, and an even longer one for the others.

Avalon led by from three j to six lengths from Oppenheim, with Genesis. Prince! Rapide and Sovereign following in single file and the other participants almost out of sight. Oppenheim led the other three up to be close to Avalon near the 600 m, but the strain soon told on him. Avalon was tiring near the 200 m, where Genesis, followed by Prince Rapide, had him covered.

Prince Rapide drew up to Genesis soon after and, according to Thomas, he got his head in front. Then Genesis was asked for a final effort and he responded magnificently to win by a neck after a battling last 800 m in Imin 3.25.

“I thought I had him when Prince Rapide moved up to Genesis inside the last 200 m, but the other colt was too good,” said Robert Dunn. “It was a great run just the same,” he added. Prince Rapide is to leave for the United States on Wednesday. Sovereign, which was having his first race start, was far from disgraced in third place even though he was eight lengths from Prince Rapide. “I couldn’t be more pleased,” said his part-owner and trainer, Jack Smolenski. “I couldn’t steer him. He kept fighting the boring pole and was almost uncontrollable. I won’t start him again until the spring,” he added.

Avalon dropped away to fourth, three lengths and a half back, clear of Oppenheim, with an even longer break to the others.

Raced by a trio of 23-year-olds, Messrs Dave Car-’ ville, a shipping clerk, Peterj Wise, a concrete technician, and Michael Rollo, a metal company employee, who is’ at present in Sydney, Genesis is by Out to Win from; the unraced mare, Shelanne.

Shelanne, by Bachelor Hanover, traces back to the; imported mare, Estella’ Araos ancestress of a host; of classic winners, including! Imperial Jade. Bachelor Star! and Main Adios, all winners! of the New Zealand Derby Stakes, Speedy Guest and Main Star, Great Northern Derby winners, and In or Out, "a New Zealand Oaks .winner. In addition, Orbiter, Kinsella, Morpheus, Margaret Hall, Dalestar, Ascot and so on descend from Estella I Amos, which was purchased tfor this country by the late Mr Freeman Holmes. v

One of the greatest sons iof Estella Amos was Injdianapolis, the winner of I three New Zealand Cups, land 26 races altogether. Genesis has now had four ! wins and three placings ! from 10 Starts. He won $6500 on Saturday, bringing his earnings to beyond $ll,OOO.