Baffling display by Lucanus

Press, 12 June 1978, Page 18

Baffling display by Lucanus

Special correspondent Auckland

A finding of the Auckland Racing Club’s Judicial Committee on Saturday will make specially interesting the performance of Lucanus next time he races. The committee excused what seemed an inept display of N. J. Hain, the rider of Lucanus in the McGregor Grant Steeplechase, by his mount’s suffering “an ailment” which causes him to “become distressed if placed under pressure.”

The second-best backed runner in the McGregor Grant Steeplechase to Ballycastle, Lucanus tailed home the five finishers after being first, last, first then last again during the 4900 m race.

A winner in his latest start previously over fences, at Te Rapa on May 13, and fourth between times, on the flat at Rotorua, Lucanus led them by half a dozen lengths after 1200 m then i suddenly, as they climbed i the hill, dropped back to -last. The manoeuvre was surprising, the next one which had Lucanus up in front again by four lengths at the stand double quite startling to his backers.

As though that were not enough Lucanus went only a few more hundred metres before again being back in last place. And by the time they were on the hill for a second and last time he was once more challenging High Chief and Ahipara for the lead.

A predictable consequence was that Lucanus had nothing left for the finish. He was completely spent at the post, last by three lengths and a dozen or so lengths behind the winner, Bally- ’ castle.

A press report from the Judicial Committee said that their inquiry took in evidence from an assistant stipendiary steward on patrol, the rider, Hain, a club’s veterinary surgeon and the horse’s trainer, D, W. Clough. The committee also viewed at length a film of the race.

They concluded that Hain was not to blame for Lucanus racing so erratically. The horse, they decided, had become distressed during the race, particularly when jumping the stand double. He became, the report said, “choked up” after jumping the fence near the 1600 m, after which he dropped back so quickly. The report recalled that Lucanus, which won the Greenlane Steeplechase at Ellerslie this time last year, finished distressed after failing over the course in August 1976. It also said that he (showed signs of distress after winning at Te Rapa ’last month. The trainer was asked to , submit a veterinary report

on the horse before any future start.

Far from being under stress, Lucanus looked full of running after he jumped the stand double. His choking soon afterwards must have been as sudden as it was severe. And he was able to gather himself again just about as quickly. Everything considered, Lucanus, from now, is going to be a problem. A win next time would almost certainly meet a mixed reception, a failure in circumstances similar to those on Saturday would just as probably cause many betters to ask whether the horse should continue racing. It was unfortunate that Lucanus, in the remarkable way he ran, and an incident which involved Proud Soverign and Regal Mink toward the end of the first round, should have diverted attention from Ballycastle and his young rider G. L. Cooksley ’in their completing such a fine double for the Great Northern meeting. Ballycastle took the Great Northern last Monday under 63kg and with 4kg more was just as decisive winning the McGregor Grant. His margin over the run-ner-up, this time High Chief, was no more than two lengths and a quarter but there was no doubt from when he landed over the last jump, just in front of High Chief and Regal Mink, that he would win.

The other two, along with Ahipara, made a great race of it into the last 400 m and it was not until after a further 200 m that Ballycastle began to beat them off.

In his two races at the meeting Ballycastle won $24,650 in cash for his owners and trophies worth $BOO. He will now be rested for a bit then perhaps set the Grand National, although the weight he is

given will decide whether he starts in it.

The Wellington winter meeting is “out” for Ballycastle according to his trainer and part-owner, Mr Elliot — the horse is not suited by the figure-eight course. But he might be back at Ellerslie for the Pakuranga Hunt Cup in late August. Proud Sovereign slipped and fell on the run down the hill just before the end of the first round and all but brought down Regal Mink, which made a remarkable jump over the mix-up. Regal Mink appeared to clear Proud Sovereign but he struck the other horse’s rider A. J. Tweedie who was further injured by being thrown against the running rail. Tweedie suffered concussion, broken ribs and injuries to his mouth.