LBJ keeps South Island record intact

Press, 18 February 1980, Page 21

LBJ keeps South Island record intact

By

J. J. BOYLE

Little Brown Jug remains unbeaten as a three-year-old on South Island courses. He brought up his tenth South Island victory for the season in the DB Galaxy Stakes at Wingatui on Saturday, and his complete sec-ond-season record is 11 wins, one second and two fifths from as many starts for $74,620. The Christchurch-owned, Riccarton-trained colt has earned the autumn spell planned for him. His connections were undecided after Saturday’s victory whether they would send the colt back for the White Robe Lodge Stakes on the second day of the Otago autumn meeting on Saturday. Mr Barney Ballin, a partowner, said he was aware that a Little Brown J u g-Mellseur-Grey Way clash in the White Robe Lodge Stakes would, or should be a big attraction. But the trainer, Peter Jones, said he would prefer to wind up the colt’s programme with the DB Galaxy Stakes. “He’s been

up a long time, he’s had 14 races as a three-year-old, and I would like to see him finish his season as he started it — with a win,” Jones said on Saturday.

SLIGHT MARGIN

The half-neck margin in Little Brown Jug’s favour over In Flight on Saturday was the colt’s narrowest winning margin this season. But in itself it does not tell of the merits of his run. Tito Poblete’s decision to ease Little Brown Jug early from the outside position was predictable. But the Chilean surprised most, and disturbed not a few, when he allowed Little Brown Jug to drop away into a gap of four lengths from second to last.’

It was a great act of confidence by Poblete in Little Brown Jug’s finishing powers, and justified in the end, but it was a near thing, and the margin between victory and what would have been a surprise defeat was narrowed when the hot favourite drifted in slightly and had to be straightened early in the run home. Yipp’s Secret, trying for

her second win in the race, finished purposefully for third half a length behind In Flight, but Her' Greatest winner of her three lead-up races, found nothing this time, and was a well-beaten ninth.

LOST CHANCE

Firefly, another of Poblete’s mounts, was backed off the map to win the Otago Mannequin Stakes, for three-year-old fillies, on Saturday.' She had to settle for third after losing lengths at the start, but Fantan saved the day for Riccarton with an easy win under expert handling from Michael Mein. While Fantan was being taken around the field on a big looping run to retrieve ground lost at the start, Mein had Fantan poised at the heels of the pacemaking Dan’s Joy. Fantan then spurted clear near the turn, and went quickly beyond challenging distance.

Fantan is trained by Barry Taggart, who also races the Namnan filly in partnership with Mr Phil Bayly, of Wanganui. As owner of the Auckland

Cup winner, Blue Denim, Mr Bayly is having his most memorable season in racing. Fantan lacks good size, but has gained stature in the eyes of her trainer for her honesty and gameness. “She could be in her last season of racing.” Taggart said after Saturday’s win. POBLETE DOUBLE

After his disappointment with Firefly, Poblete had a change of" fortune in his fourth ride at Saturday’s meeting. He partnered Sly Wink in the Autumn Handicap, and nursed her with a fine piece of rating on the front end to beat the other sprinters in style. The beaten lot could not muster much in the way of form, and the only bright spot in their performances was offered by Art World. This seven-year-old was having his first start for three years, yet was able to finish fourth. It was a weakening fourth, but his rim held promise of a return to form that made the grey look, so promising in his early racing from the Wingatui stable of Arthur E. Didham.