Last-stride win for Tang

Press, 26 November 1979, Page 24

Last-stride win for Tang

Special Correspondent ‘ Auckland The closeness of the finish between them in the Great Britain-New Zealand Stakes has racegoers looking toward the next meeting of Tang and River Queen, hopefully at Pukekohe this coming : week-end. Pukekohe’s race, the 'Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, over 1600 m at weight-for-age. was one 'of 11 in which Tang competed last season, and her Third placing, behind Gold . Arc and Gold Dust, was highly creditable. River Queen was then out of form but she came back early in the New Year to win the Stretto Stakes, another good prize for fillies and mares, at Avondale. The quality of both horses was clearly shown when they , bettered Silver Wraith and so many other top gallopers on Saturday. For a good part of the home straight it seemed that River Queen and her rider Tony Williams were about to “steal” the race. With his mount prepared to race kindly while others fought for their heads, Williams let River Queen go clear in front before even half the 1600 m had been covered. When River Queen shook off the challenges from Braless and March Legend with 150 m to go, and with no sign yet of the hot favourite Silver Wraith, Williams though now riding desperately must have thought this was one big race he should win.

It was not until very close to the finish that Bob Vance thrust Tang into the picture and she edged past River Queen right on the post. Silver Wraith was threequarters of a length away, lasting just a bit better than Braless (fourth) and March Legend (fifth). The South Island mare Mellseur came next, finishing well but too late to be a threat. Vance said afterwards that his plan on Tang had been to follow Silver Wraith. He was able to do this easily enough and felt confident when seeing the other horse under some pressure 200 m out. What he did not reckon on was River Queen lasting so well.

Vance’s riding of the finish showed again his fitness and determination. He had won earlier on the day, on Kahu. then scored again in the last race, on Time O’Day. Last season Vance was the champion New Zealand jockey and he is clearly heading for the 1979-80 title. It was with this in mind very likely that Williams remarked ruefully to him as thev prepared to dismount. “It’s a pity you need the money.”

NINTH WIN Tang, who was the “Marlboro Filly of the Year” last! season notched her ninth win with this one and nudged her stakes earnings past $100,006 — to $102,775. In the absence of her

trainer Charlie Cameron, kept i home in Hastings by illness, Tang has been managed on this trip by the stable fore, man, Mr Miratana, a formq jockey who understands the mare and knows her needj exactly. Certainly Tang’s ap. pearance when she paraded for Saturday’s race did him much credit. Although not an acceptor for the second day of the Auckland meeting. On Wed. nesday, Tang will be staying through at Ellerslie to fur. ther her preparation for Pukekohe rather than make the journey to Hastings then return. The performances of Bra. less and March Legend ep. couraged high hopes that th# two fine performers will not' be long in winning again, March Legend, it seems had needed his latest racing. H# made a big effort around th# outside to reach the leaderg early in the run home and faded only slightly. Braless would have finished third, very likely, had sh# straight away taken the gap which allowed her to get up alongside River Queen with some 300 m to go. As it was she hesitated for a bit and thereby lost some ground. „ With Orchidra scratched through being unsettled bj| the onset of a seasonal com dition and Tourjous, Coppef Bit and Fagan’s Boy furthed scratchings the field for th#| Stakes was two below th* limit of 18. The race was run verj| smoothly in the main, at s strong, even pace Ulladulht struck some brief troubhj early, otherwise all had chances. The defeat of Silver Wraittj was a major surprise but as nothing compared with the upset in the other leg of the T.A.B. double, the Domi inion Handicap. Beau’s Demand, which had beaten one home the previ. ous time, in the Waikato Cup, went to the front quickly is this one and stayed there. Reasonably enough he wad the rank outsider except fos one and he paid $69.95 for a win and $17.40 for a place. The judicial committee in. vited the trainer of Beau’s Demand, H. S. Wadham, to' account for the horses’S sharp improvement. His explanation was that in the Te< Rapa race Beau’s Demand missed the start and was con. sequently unable to get to th* front, where he races best ~ Even when quickly in front Beau’s Demand had not, since he won at Pukekohe last January, stayed on anywhere near as well as he did on i Saturday.

i Tamaryn challenged him determinedly and was gett. ' ing closer all through the last 50m but Beau’s Demand held on, three-quarters of a length ! to the good. Meed was a good third and the others weref headed by the each-way fav. ourite Calpumicus, which imade ground without being a real threat.