Outstanding Inter-Dom. trial by Canis Minor

Press, 28 February 1980, Page 24

Outstanding Inter-Dom. trial by Canis Minor

By

G. K. YULE

Canis Minor, a disappointment at Washdyke last Saturday, returned an outstanding trial for next month’s Inter-Dominion Championship series in Sydney when he came out on top by a nose in the Mona Vale Handicap at Addington Raceway last evening.

Canis Minor’s trainer, Trevor Thomas, was mystified by the horse’s showing at Washdyke and decided to drive him himself at Addington. The seven-year-old was very slow early, but sprinted up three and four wide in the back straight. He was co-leader from the 600 m with Be Sly. shook that runner off with 200 m left then close to the end had to • withstand a strong late challenge from Bronze Queen, but got there by a nose. Canis Minor paced the : 2600 m in 3min 21s, a smart :

run in the conditions. His run showed that he will not be a forlorn chance in Sydney, where the opposition will be stronger than ad Addington. Bronze Queen came on stoutly for her second, more than a length in front of Philippa Frost. Be Sly tired to fourth with Westburn Vue showing improvement to beat Johnny Regalo and Timely Robin for fifth. NARROW WIN Relinquish avenged a narrow defeat by Excalibur 11 nights earlier with a win

; over Maudey in the Avon t Handicap. Relinquish was never far i away and had too much in - reserve in the straight for Maudey, beating her more easily than the official mar- , gin of a head would suggest, f Ailsa Hanover, which ati tempted to lead for the last ' 2100 m, was only a head away third, with Stormy j Morn making ground stead- ’ ily for fourth three lengths back. It was Stormy Morn’s first start since January 11 ■ and his last before he embarks on a campaign in Syd- ' . ney next month. The run is

certain to improve him.

About Now battled on for fifth, clear; of Excalibur, which broke with more than 2000 m left.

The favourite, Scotch Tar, put on a very mixed display, which was in marked contrast to his second to Locarno at Washdyke last Saturday. He was trotting very fast when he broke before the end of 300 m. Then he broke with 1250 m left and again at the straight entrance, finishing ninth, but not! trotting as well as he has when at his best.