N.Z. horses could quinella Inter-Dominion Final

Press, 28 March 1980, Page 18

N.Z. horses could quinella Inter-Dominion Final

1 837 Gay Hondo (N.S.W.) It G. Moon 2 587 Arunga Hanover (Vie.) It B. Gath 3 637 Warren Chief (Vic.) It C. Watts 4 516 Sir Reveller (N.S.W. It ft. Adams 5 314 Loyal Lord (N.S.W.) It O. Glendenning 6 652 Brad Adios (Vic.) It G. Morgan 7 552 Single Again (S.A.) It M. Evans 8 351 Eximio (N.S.W.) It V. Frost 9 962 Bad Luck (N.Z. It ft. Cameron 10 818 Canis Minor (N.Z.) It D. Townley

i 2700 m. 1 795 High Moore (W.A.) It i A. Woodworth i 2 447 Opalite (Vic.) It R. Usher 3 369 Taronga (Vic.) It j C. Powell t 4 121 Cunning Lad (Vic.) It i R. Gleason j 3 M 9 Chime Bay (N.S.W.) It ! 6 583 Local Motive (X.S.W. It j C. Castles I 7 24-1 Ragtime Boy (N.S.W. It ' V. Frost ! 8 750 Rocky Tryax (N.Z.) .It D. Towniev I 9 658 Dual Brigade (N.S.W.) It i G. Turnbull ■lO 814 Katy's Command i (N.Z.i It

From G. K. YULE in Sydney A New Zealand quinella is by no means unlikely in the $130,000 Inter-Dominion Championship Grand Final at Harold Park tonight.

Lord Module yesterday reinstated himself as the first choice for New Zealand observers when he was exercised free-legged at Harold Park. “He seems all right again and has been eating and drinking in his usual form since midday on Wednesday,” said a cheerful Cecil Devine. Locarno has supplanted Pure Steel as second choice after his dashing and convincing workout at Bankstown on Wednesday. At the end of the heats last Friday it looked as though the Final could; develop into a match race! between Lord Module and I Pure Steel, with Locarno i perhaps the most likely to j be in a supporting role. Now, the race is wide open again] with Frosty Imp, Koala i King, Lea Sands and thej evergreen Paleface Adios alii having a growing list of I supporters. Lord Module, winner of the New Zealand Cup with tremendous authority last November, looks to be approaching that' form again. However, luck is going to play a deciding part in the outcome of the race run on the tight Harold Park saucer.

The “no push-out” rille will go by the board tonight and it could be a “no holds barred” contest reminiscent of the 1973 Grand Final when Hondo Grattan wore down Royal Ascot and beat

him by a head, with the free-legged champion, Robalan, unplaced after being “dealt with" on the home turn when travelling like a winner. Lord Module has been given a careful preparation for his big test by Devine one of the most skilful “big i race” trainers in New Zealand. Devine has rare deter* , mination when driving in 'major races as many.of his opponents in the past can (recall rather ruefully. This I could assist in giving New ■ Zealand its first Grand Final ! victory in Australia since iStanley Rio in Brisbane in i 1977 and before that Cardi- ■ gan Bay in Adelaide in 1963. j LOCARNO THRIVING | Locarno has risen from a j rather forlorn chance in the i eyes of most Australians j less than a month ago to a Heading contender as he tries J to follow the lead of Hondo Grattan (1974) and Young Quinn (1975) and win the Miracle Mile and the Grand Final double. His trainer, Robin Butt, is a son-in-law of the West Melton trainer. Jack Litten, who won the memorable 1960 Grand Final at Harold Park with Caduceus. Locarno has thrived on his current Sydney campaign and he seems to be a “natural” on the track. His condition can not be faulted and given an uninterrupted run his sizzling final sprint could be more than most of his rivals can match. Locarno has seldom finished in front of Lord Module in races in New Zealand, but on Harold Park it could be a different story. The stamina and courage of the Perth pacer, Pure Steel, dominated the qualifying heats. He has to start from 15m and will not find it easy to work round his nine rivals in the middle part: Nor is it- likely that he will be allowed to do so with ease by the other drivers. This could count against him but he is such a dour and rugged stayer that

lit will be indeed surprising if he fails to figure in the (finish. Koala King and Frosty Imp are expected to do New South Wales proud, both having come into the series on the fresh side and improved after each race. Lea Sands is a fine tradesman, quite capable of causing a surprise. Paleface AdiOb has come through the heats in wonderful heart for an old horse, but he faces a gigantic task from 15m and will need more than his share of luck to gain the win which would be widely acclaimed by his thousands of Sydney fans. Much will depend on whether Lehigh Lad sets the pace, as most predict. He has been the centre figure in a prolonged inquiry alleging that he was not run on his merits last Friday. Lehigh Lad will ensure there is no loitering, which could help Lord Module and Locarno as much as any in the race. Selections: 9.20 p.m. (N.Z. time).— First Consolation Race: Single Again,. Canis. Minor, Brad Adios. 10.20 p.m.—Second Consolation Race: Ragtime Boy, Katy's Command, Local Motive. 11.30 p.m.—Grand Final: Lord Module, Locarno, Pure Steel.

RACE 1 T.A.B. QUINELLA 9.20 p.m.— FIRST INTER-DOMINION CONSOLATION 2700 m.

I RACE 2 i 10.20 p.m.— SECOND INTER-DOMINION CONSOLATION

J. Reed RACE 3 T.A.B. QUINELLA j 11.30 p.m.—(N.Z. time). INTER-DOMINION GRAND FINAL $130,000; 2700 m. 1 1117 LEHIGH LAD (N.S.W.) (1) It (6 g Caroldon Lehigh —Neecy Brigade). Trainer: Mrs F. A. Donohue. Gained two decisive heat wins from No. 1 at the barrier, but failed from wide draw last Friday. If allowed to dictate pace, will take beating. R. Hancock White, brown diamonds, brown cap. 2 2324 LEA SANDS (Vie.) (2) It <5 h Holly Sands—Anthol Lea). Trainer: K. Innes. Has raced consistently throughout the heats. Genuine racehorse with sufficient stamina to be in the thick of the finish. K. Innes Colours: Dark blue, silver, dark blue cap. 3 4232 FROSTY IMP (N.S.W.) (3) It <5 h Johnny’s Intp—Lillian Frost). Trainer: K. J. Robinson. Was the beaten, favourite in his last . two heats, but was not all that impressive when second to Koala King last Friday, is claimed to be an improver, which would be necessary if he were to win. Nevertheless, must be considered. K. Robinson Colours: White, blue diamonds and sleeves, white cap. 4 1323 LONE BOY (N.S.W.) (4) It (7 g Joy’s Boy—Doll’s Gift). Trainer: R. Hoy. Most consistent in the heats, but well beaten by Paleface Adios last Friday. Win would surprise.

G. Hoy Colours: Yellow and brown checks, red sleeves and cap.

5 1423 MARGARET SHAN. NON (Qld.) (5) It (S Hi Gentry—Gay Shannon). Trainer: J. O’Sullivan. Beaten third to Lord Module last Friday. Place prospect. I Colours:. White, white and ' purple sleeves, white cap. ; i 1213 LOCARNO (6) It (5 h I Local Light . — Bravine). i 'Drainer: R. D. Butt. Has | thrived on his campaign and j paced splendid races tn his three heats. Work this week has been of the high- < est standard and looks the 1 one to beat.I R. Butt | Colours: Green, white sleeves, white cap. 7 5441 KOALA KING (N.S.W.) (1) 10 (7 h Koala Frost— Tawaln). Trainer: K. Wishey. followed up unlucky runs in his opening heats with a decisive win last Friday. Still improving and is considered a leading contender. B. Hancock Colours: Green, red diamond, yellow cap. 8 6731 LORD MODULE (N.Z.) (2) 10 15 h Lordship— Module). Trainer: C. C.- Devine. Looking to be close to his peak earlier in the. week, but a setback in the last day or two has caused him to drop from favour. If paraded near his best -will be. a leading chance. C. Devine Colours: Black, white stars, black cap. 9 2111 PURE STEEL (W.A.) (1) 15 1 3 h Toledo Hanover— PUre Band). Trainer: M. R. Roberts. ' Unbeaten in the heats with three tremendous staying performances. This field is much harder, but for all that looks the class Australian contender. T. Demmler Colours: Blue, grey sleeves, grey cap.

10 3161 PALEFACE ADIOS (N.S.W.) (2) 15 (10 h Deep Adios—Rayjen). Trainer: C. N. Pike. Beat weak opposition last Friday, and will be hard pressed from this mark even with his remarkable record. C. Pike 2244 RAGTIME BOY (N.S.W.) It (5 h Liberace Hannover— Miss Patch). Trainer: V. W. Frost. Only fair races in his heats and would need luck in this field. V. Frost Colours: White, black stars, black cap. 1552 SINGLE AGAIN (S.A.) It (8 g Single Copy—Lawphyl). Trainer: A. Holbertson. Good staying type, finishing second to Pure Steel last Friday. Will be tested, in this. M. Evans Colours: Pink, green crossed sash, green cap. Emergencies: Ragtime Boy, Single Agan.