Wing Commander beats favourite

Press, 20 January 1979, Page 20

Wing Commander beats favourite

By

W. R. CARSTON

The question of favouritism for the Timaru Challenge Stakes at Washdyke today is unlikely to be settled until Ted Lowe makes a decision on whether or not to start Wing Commander. Kevin Townley, who drove the talented Flying Lord geling to a narrow win over the favourite, Sovereign, in the Garden City Three-year-old Stakes at Addington Raceway last evening, did

not consider that Wing Commander had a hard race.

Townley always had him well placed, one off the hubrail and three places from the pace. As they began the run around .the home turn he was tucked in behind Sovereign, which had joined Johnny Land in front. Sovereign spurted clear soon after they straightened for the run home but Wing Commander kept up his determined bid and pegged

the favourite back close to home. There was half a neck between winner and runnerup then three lengths and a quarter to Frosty Lobell, which was followed in by Philippa Frost and Aventureux. THIRD WIN National Pride brought his record to three wins from his last four starts when he outfinished Tutaki Lad for a clear-cut victory in the Papanui Trotting Handicap.

National Pride, after setting some of the early pacq received a perfect trailing run behind Tutaki Lac through much of the lasi 2200 m. He set out after the pacemaker early in the rut home and had the result u safe keeping 100 m out.

There were two length; and a quarter between win> ner and runner-up then i length and a half to Happj Day, which was followed in by Bellabill and Fair Alda.