Dulcify wins after protest

Press, 17 April 1979, Page 23

Dulcify wins after protest

NZPA Sydney The champion three-year-old Dulcify, caused one of the major upsets of the Sydney Autumn carnival when he won the $200,000 A-J.C. Derby on protest from the Victorian three-year-old, Double Century, at Randwick yesterday. Double Century, was first past the post but pn dismounting, Dulcify’s jockey, Brent Thomson, lodged a protest alleging interference over the last 250 m of the race. Thomson claimed that Double Century, ridden by Mick Mallyon, had cost Dulcify his chance of winning by carrying him wide on the track all the way down the straight. “I ranged up to within half a length of Double Century and then he shifted out and we finished up past the centre of the track,” Thomson saidThe Derby in many ways was a race of firsts. This year is the first time the race has been run in the Autumn and also for the first time a woman jockey has ridden in the event. Protests, though, are not new in the Derby.

In a sensational incident in 1961, Mel Schumacher was suspended for life after Tommy Hill, who rode Summer Fair, won the race on protest.

Schumacher allegedly pulled Hill’s leg in the straight when the horses were racing together. The Wellington Derby winner, Holy Toledo, ridden by Linda Jones, made a bold attempt to lead all the way, but was found wanting in the last 150 m, slowing to a walk to finish ninth.

The second favourite, Kankama, failed to show much dash and although he ran on well, he only passed tired horses in the straight finishing seventh. The New Zealand-bred March to Glory (Oncidium Millbrae) was a wellbeaten third. SHIVAREE WINS

Shivaree completed a great double by sweeping to a length-and-a-haif victory over March Legend in the $25,000 weight-for-age Queen Elizabth Stakes (2000 m The four-year-old Sharivari gelding had earlier won the $150,000 H.E. Tancred Stakes (2400 m at Rosehili,

also a weight-for-age race. After his Rosehill win Shivaree was sent out the oddson favourite, and he gave his backers few anxious moments.

The jockey, Roger Lang, had Shivaree perfectly positioned throughout the race and he said once he saw daylight in the straight the race was all but over. Lang said Shivaree was a frightening horse to ride, but described yesterday’s race as an easier one than the Tancred Stakes. “You have to niggle, niggle at him all the way,” he said. The Matamata trainer, Dave O’Sullivan, said that Shivaree would have one more start in Australia before returning to New Zealand for a spell. He said he would run in the $40,000 weigh t-for-age National Stakes (2000 m at Canberra at the week-end. March Legend, which is entered for the All-aged Stakes (1600 m at Randwick tomorrow, is also expected to contest the Canberra event. The Melbourne Cup holder, Arwon, ran a great Sydney Cup trial with a strong finishing third, just'

ahead of Happy Union in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. T.A.B. code: GC. (Weather fine; track fast.) A.J.C. DERBY £204,000; 2400 m. 1/1 DULCIFY (1) 55.5 B. Thomson 1 6/5 DOUBLE CENTURY (9) 55.5 R. Mallyon 2 10/11 MARCH TO GLORY (12) 55.5 P. Cuddihy 3 Also started: 3/4 Kankama, 13/14 Regimental Honour, 5/6 Hauberk, 2/2 Holy Toledo, 14/15 Gondolier, 9/7 Brandy Sipper, 12/13 Cafe. 7/10 Career, 4/3 Down The Aisle, 11/12 Bold Passer, 8/8 King’s Ideal, 15/9 Take Notice, 17/17 Lord Folkstone, 16/16 Sutimie. Win: 51.75. Places: $l, 37.30. 512.20. Qulnella: $25.