Vizier prevails in Stakes

Press, 12 February 1979, Page 18

Vizier prevails in Stakes

Special correspondence Wellington The American-bred stallion, Trophy Case, was represented with his most important winner when the three-year-old colt. Vizier, outfinished Uncle Remus to win the $7OOO Jackson Stakes at Wanganui on Saturday. Trophy Case, which stands at Eric Haydon’s Alton Lodge at Te Kauwhata in Waikato, continued a good run for the stud which has been well represented in major races this summer with another American-bred stallion, Sharivari.

Judging by his gutsy win in the Jackson Stakes Vizier should further make a name for his sire in races to come. As it is Vizier’s record stands at 5 wins, one second, one third and two fourths from only 12 starts, 11 this season. Vizier beat Uncle Remus by a head. Ridden by his regular rider, Bob Vance, Uncle Remus shared the pace with Red Terror to the turn, took the lead and looked in for another notable win but Vizier, with a rails run, outfinished him in the final 100 m.

Neither the trainer, Colin Ji 11 ing s , owner, Kim Clotworthy, nor Vance were upset at Uncle Remus’s failure. Jillings pointed out afterwards that it was only his fourth race after a spell and that he had not worked seriously since Tuesday morning before his long trip to Wanganui. His only gallop since arriving was down the straight the morning of the races.

"We expected him to go a good race. He had to if we are to think about Australia

at Easter. Looking at the race beforehand it appeared that, a win was possible,” said Jillings. “But be is still nowhere near his peak yet and won’t be till we reach Sydney. Anyway he was beaten by a smart horse today,” he added. Uncle Remus left for Takanini yesterday morning. His next race in New Zealand will be the International Stakes (2200 m at Te Rapa tomorrow week. It will be his first test over ground this season. After Te Rapa his final race before going to Australia is likely to be the $50,000 Air New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie on the first Saturday in March.

Uncle Remus is likely to have a companion on his trip to Australia. Jillings plans to take Springtide across the Tasman for a tilt at the A.J.C. Derby at Easter. The rising stayer star, Prancer, and the Sanders three-year-olds, Golden Key and Walking Delegate, are also possible companions on the flight to Sydney. Prancer’s main mission will be the Sydney Cup. Walking Delegate, a fine fourth in the Wellington Derby before his fourth behind Mun Lee at Rotorua on Saturday, will have the A.J.C. Derby as his main

mission also while Golden Key’s target will be the shorter Rosehill Guineas (2000 m on the last Saturday in March. Golden Key was a good third in the Jackson Stakes after being last on the turn. Chris McNab jumped him

out well but the colt lost ground on the first bend and drifted. In the straight he improved smartly to challenge Uncle Remus and ViI zier at the 200 m but could not accelerate the final part . and was two lengths and a half away at the post.