Solo’s Dream belies formbook

Press, 20 February 1980, Page 28

Solo’s Dream belies formbook

PA Auckland The class-three galloper, Solo’s Dream, ran the race of his life when he won the $25,000 New Zealand Inter-

national Stakes at Ellerslie yesterday. The five-year-old, ridden by Jimmy Walker, took the lead at the home turn in the 2000 m event and repulsed all challenges to win well from Rare Commodity (Chris McNab) and Wren’s Pride (Alvin Tweedie). Solo’s Dream, trained on the beaches at Dargaville by his owner, G. W. Yakich, had won only twice before yesterday and had been out of form for some time.

He was lucky to make the field when three or four of the early fancies failed to be accepted. Not many gave him a chance and he returned over $4B for the win, which, considering his form, was a poor dividend.

Jie had won only $3750 in tofal stakes in three seasons on the, track. The two Australian riders in the event, Kevin Langby and Johnny Miller, fared badly. Langby gave his mount, Tang, every chance but she failed to handle the soft footing and was a wellbeaten ninth. Miller, on Aberman, came in last of the 12 runners. Another Australian rider, W. Harris* missed a ride in the event when his draw, Raywood Lass was scratched. It was unusual than no New Zealand rider offered to step down and give his mount to the young Sydney rider. Walker’s brother-in-law, Gary Phillips, took the other invitation race, the $31,000 Lion Stakes, on the brilliant Hawera filly, Coober’s Queen. Coober’s Queen ploughed through the soft going to win the 1400 m event by two and three-quarter lengths from Arbre Chene (Bob Vance) and the unlucky South Island gelding, Flying View. An average-sized filly, ’Coober’s Qqeen has fully warranted her position as the top three-year-old filly with some exceptional performances.

She has raced from 1200 m to 2400 m this season, failing four times and beating the best of her age and all comers on seven occasions.

Langby was without luck again finishing eleventh on Legends, while Harris was eighth on Silver Nymph and Miller second-last of the 14 runnere on Al Donte.