Craiglee Stakes for Dulcify

Press, 10 September 1979, Page 26

Craiglee Stakes for Dulcify

NZPA staff correspondent . Melbourne! The New Zealand-bred Dulcify completed a winning tre- i ble for the New Zealand jockey, Brent Thompson, by win- ( ning the $25,000 weight-for-age Craiglee Stakes (1600 metres) at Flemington on Saturday. The four-year-old, having his second run from a spell, ran home strongly to beat the New Zealand horse, Arbre Chene, the 5/2 favourite, by a length-and-a-quarter with Valley of Georgia a half a length away third. The Melbourne Cup favourite, Double Century, did not disappoint. He finished fast for a close fourth. The trainer, Colin Hayes, warned after the race that Ducify was not a certain runner in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Hayes said Dulcify’s main spring mission was the weight-for-age Cox Plate (2050 metres) at Moonee Valley on October 27. "If Dulcify shows he has an edge at weight-for-age, as he appears to at this stage,

■then we might miss the cups,” < Jhe said. “I don’t want people ( rushing into taking cups dou- i ibles without being informed.” 1 Saturday’s win took Dulci-1, i fv’s earnings to just under | < ■ $420,000. ); The New Zealand horses ; ■ in the Craiglee Stakes led the field at the turn, with Aghios cNikalaos a length-and-a-half . . clear of Arbre Chene with ■ iiLuck Roona running a close 1 iithird. ’ ■ ' ' i r i But Dulcify was moving up 1 il behind them and he cruised 1 11to the lead with 200 metres i to go. Arbre Chene was given ' 1 every chance and fought on ■ I‘well for his second, but jockey, Alan Trevena, conceded j ,! that Dulcify was too good on 1 t! the day. |. • I Luck Roona finished se-1 ■ •I venth, Aghios Nikalaos j 1 eighth and Kankama 12th, in ' i!a field of 15. s Among scratchings was the i ?,New Zealand-bred Ashbah, < ■, which ‘had been, expected to 'be a major threat. He was i s among horses affected by the ' 5 continuing dispute involving ■ , Ifarriers.