Grey Affair sprints away with rich Brisbane Cup

Press, 19 June 1979, Page 26

Grey Affair sprints away with rich Brisbane Cup

From PAUL MEIN Brisbane

A little-fancied Queensland galloper, Grey Affair absconded with the $75,000 Brisbane Cup yesterday, scoring a two-length win over a courageous Mr Ay Bee and the Australian champion, Double Century. But for the grey, a programme plotted some two months ago and a Tasman journey would almost certainly have ended in victory ! for Mr Ay Bee. He mastered ' the Victorian colt, Double Century, 200 m out and surged to a narrow lead. ; However, no-one counted ion the staying prowess of [Grey Affair, and his starti ling last-to-first dash down [the sunny Eagle Farm straight, which left Mr Ay Bee and Double Century

struggling to light out tninoi berths.

Grey Affair’s careering two-length win nabbed $51,000 for his Queensland owners and added to a formidable staying record by the seven-year-old whose wins have included the Dopmben Cup two years ago.

The Wingatui stayer, Mr Ay Bee, stepping out over the 3200 m distance for the i first time, looked likely to join another Dunedin galloper in Igloo, and more recently the Cambridge-

trained Balmerino, as New Zealand winners of the Brisbane feature but he had no answer for Grey Affair’s final sprint.

The Blenheim-owned chestnut was trapped three wide in the early charge for positions, but his jockey, Michael Mein, managed to secure a handy position in mid-field outside another New Zealand staver, Kindled.

Mr Ay Bee moved up to take closer order when Double Century rushed to join issue with the leaders three wide at the 1200 m.

The Showoff II gelding burst through the body of the field to join Double Century in the lead 250 m out and headed the colt soon after.

However, Grey Affair’s centre-track finish was all: conquering. Mr Ay Bee, head!

down m characteristic fashion strode on purposefully for the ,$14,000 second prize, with Double Century a fighting third. Mr Ay Bee will almost certainly meet yesterday’s victor in the Doomben Cup next month and will return home to Wingatui soon after. Result: BRISBANE CUP $75,000; 3200 m. 11/11 GREY AFFAIR |9i 49.5 D. Messingham 1 2/2 MR AY BEE «3) 54 M. Mein 3 1/1 DOUBLE CENTURY <2) M. Mallyon 3 Also started; 10/10 Our Cavalier, 3/3 Kindled, 5/5 Zamazaan Lass, 4/4 Kilmallock Boy. 12/12 Bernalla, 9/9 Rhalif. 8/8 Pay The Purple, 7/7 Prunella. 14/14 Char Boheme, 13/13 Summer Fleur, 6/6 Hermonn, 15/15 Photomegos. 2 len, head. N.Z. T.A.B. dividends.—Win: •$41.30. Places: $6.10, $l.BO, $1.40. iQuinella: $70.70.