Locarno near Cup start

Press, 10 September 1979, Page 25

Locarno near Cup start

Specia! correspondent Wellington Locarno moved a step closer to a start in the New Zealand Cup with an effortless win in Saturday night’s Port Nicholson Handicap at i Hutt Park. i Locarno is now assessed lat C 9, needing only one more win to qualify for the $85,000 New Zealand Cup in November. "The aim is to get him off the front in the cup,” said trainer-driver Robin Butt on Saturday.” With luck we might get a win on Tuesday, if not we’ll go on to Auckland.” It will be a brave person who picks one to beat Locarno in Tuesday’s Randwick Cup. The five-year-old would not have blown a match out after recording 3min 6.8 s for 2400 m, from a stahd, in the Port Nicholson, a time a fraction over two seconds from the course record held jointly by Robalan and Young Quinn at 3min 4s. From four starts this sea-

son Locarno has won two and been placed third in the others. His career record stands at 36 starts for 91 wins and 18 placings worth over $35,000 for his Christchurch owners Em and Bruce Francis. Locarno was handled to perfection by Butt on Saturday. After Single Lord took up the running Locarno settled in behind his back and Butt sat quietly until into the last 200 m before bringing Locarno out to challenge. One cut with the whip and Locarno had taken the lead, one more sent him clear by three lengths. He won, not being pressed hard, by two lengths with Single Lord clear of Westburn Vue and back marker Sun Seeker. There was a lot to admire about Single Lord’s placing. In only his second race for the season he was responsible for the torrid pace which made it hard for those behind him to make up any ground.

' Single Lord sprinted hard from the 700 m but Locarno was close behind all the way (and was too strong. Driver George Hill was pleased with the effort and considered Single Lord would improve further with the race. Westburn Vue made ground well from the middle and Sun Seeker was two lengths and a half from her. Sun Seeker gave Locarno a 20m start and was beaten eight lengths. Alena, having her first race since Rangiora in early June made no race of the second leg. the Masterton Pace, after taking command at the 500 m. Raced by John and Peter Bird, John Clarke and Kevin Townley and trained by Kevin’s father, Doody, at Ashburton Alena was well supported at third favourite. Driven by Kevin Townley, Alena settled into a handy place from the start but was sent round three wide to sit j without the trail at the bell when Kendalla Boy was re-1 strained by Peter Wolfenden.i

She was sent to the leader, Stormy Affair, at the 600 m, put her head in front at thu 500 m and sprinted clear by four lengths before lining up for home