Racing and, trotting

Press, 25 January 1979, Page 24

Racing and, trotting

By

G. K. YULE

Ruling River followed up some rather unlucky racing with a deserved first success for the season in the Charles S. Thomas Handicap at Addington Raceway last evening.

Bess Hanover set a rousing pace early and she began to feel the strain before the 1200 m, at which point Ricky May sent Ruling River to the front. She raced keenly in the lead and. after being clear into the straight, she fought back most gamely to hold out the favourite, Locarno, by half a neck. A six-year-old mare by the former top performer. Waitaki Hanover, from Lassu, Ruling River is trained by Terry May for his mother, Mrs C. V. May. She has now won seven races and her success last night probably earned her a start in the $12,000 Standardbred Breeders’ Stakes at Adding-

ton Raceway on February 9. In the meantime she will race in the Cummings Memorial at Forbury Park on Saturday when, once more, she will be a top chance. Ruling River paced the 3200 m in 4min 13.15, the opening 1600 m from the front taking about 2min 7s. Locarno, which will also race at Forbury Park moved up sharply to be close to the leaders starting the last 200 m. Once switched to the outer, he came on steadily, but could not quite get to Ruling River. Bronze Queen, after looking a likely winner racing to the straight, came to the end of her run a few metres out

and she was a head behind Locarno, with a length and a half to Worthy Lord.

The others were a sadly beaten lot, Ganya finishing fifth after a break of 11 lengths. The second favourite, Columnist, broke at the start and again near the 1800 m, after which he was pulled up.

The Invercargill-owned Profiteer gained his third win since joining Gavin Hampton’s team when he got up in the last stride to shade Torle and the hot favourite, Sir Robin, in the Visitors’ Stakes.

Profiteer was a shade slow, but he was reasonably handy

starting the run home. He responded well for his narrow win and there should be more in store for him in the next few weeks now that he is a C 6 pacer. Torle, handy all the way, fought on for her placing with Sir Robin making a late bid along the rails for third, half a head back. Flaxton, which worked clear almost at the end, was only a neck away, fourth, and looked most unlucky. Carnival King and Smart Doll were almost in line next, clear of the others.