Crow Bar does best in close finish at Ashburton

Press, 27 December 1979, Page 17

Crow Bar does best in close finish at Ashburton

By

G. K. YULE

Crow Bur gained his fifthij win from his last six starts ’ when he shaded Sail Again i and .Johnny at the 1 end of a rousing 320(1m in.’ the Ashburton Cup yester-i day. After leading early, Crow I Bar was shuffled back as the s lead changed several times i and his chances of success did not look bright racing to;’ the straight where he wasp six to eight lengths from the i leader, Miss Pert. Peter Jones kept him to the rails J and he gradually made up his leeway, surging to a i short lead close to the line J where he had half a neck to

, spare over tbe-solidly-finish-ling Sail Again. Johnny Reigalo, which had his chance, was only a head away, well clear of Lordable and Miss Pert, with the others almost: walking across the line. I The favourite, Our Loca'tion, not at ease on the hard track, had his chance, but seventh was the best he • could manage. Crow Bar paced the distance in 4min 14.75, with the • last 800 m off the front in •Imin 2.35. Raced in partnership by. three Tokanui farmers.; •Messrs Stuart and Fergus. Dermody and Chris Alcock. Crow Bar was one of the smallest horses in the field, barely making 15 hands. The; iDermody brothers are well- 1 known rugby players in Southland. Crow Bar is the second

horse Messrs Stuart Dermody and Alcock have raced. Black Stump, also trained for a time by Derek Jones, being successful for them: iThe partnership bought: i Crow Bar, a four-year-old stallion by Majestic Chance from Clara Bow. from Ascot Stud, Invercargill, for $1750 as a yearling. ! Crow Bar’s immediate rac-i ing is uncertain, but it is probable he will start at the Par k meeting: next week. He has now won .eight races and will have restricted opportunities in his own class. Pointer Hanover showed this fitness for his attempt to J win the $lO,OOO Canterbury; ;.Park Cup for a second time ■ion January 3 when he shaded Hano Direct in a keen finish to the Winslow I Handicap. I

George Shand had Pointer Hanover fairly handy all the way and he loomed up to be close to Miss Castleton and Hano Direct turning for j home. Hano Direct and Pointer Hanover drew out to a short advantage with the lastnamed doing best to win by ■a head. Cool Cat came on steadily from close up for third, ahead of No Response, ■which made a belated bid wide out after being switched from the inner to wide out inside the last 200 m. ; About Now did well for a close fifth as the leaders trotted their last 800 m in i58.8s and she gave them a ! start of almost 10 lengths ’ from this point. Maudey was ■ a close sixth, well clear of i the remainder.