Koala King easily wins pacers’ final

Press, 29 March 1980, Page 6

Koala King easily wins pacers’ final

From G. K. YULE

Favoured with a perfect] run, Koala King proved much too Strong for Locarno Over the finil stages of the InterDominion Pacers’ Championship Grand Final at Harold Park last evening. With his driver, Brian Hancock flourishing his whip in an extraordinary manner and looking around with a wide victory smile, he had 10m to spare as he crossed the line.

New Zealand’s hopes of a win diminished at the start when Lord Module broke hopelessly and lost about 80m. “He’s been going away pretty well but tonight the bludger had no intention of going out cleanly,” said his disappointed owner-trainer, Cecil Divine. The race was remarkably cleanly run, although after the event, Colin Pike the driver of Paleface Adios, lodged an unsuccessful protest against third placing being awarded to Pure Steel. Frosty Imp took the lead from Lone Boy and Lehigh Lad after 300 m with Locarno perfectly positioned on the outside. Pure Steel began a big run three wide from the 1900 m but he was beaten to a gap 300 m later by Koala King which settled in behind Locarno. Ted Demmler then dropped Pure Steel back several lengths. Frosty Imp carried on at a solid pace, which left Lone Boy gasping at the sOom and he started td drbp away quickly. As a result Robin Butt had to move with Locarno or be carried back through the field. Locarno sprinted up fast, shaded Frosty Imp before the straight entrance and shot clear soon after. Koala King mounted a powerful challenge 150 m out and it carried him past the post one of the easiest winners ever in a grand final.

“I would have liked to stay where I was just a little longer but had no option but to go when I did,” said Robin

I Butt. “I couldn’t have asked for a better run and am deI lighted to have finished second. The other horse was just too Strong,” he said. Pure Steel made a renewed bid wide out Over the last 300 m and showed rare courage to take third less than two metres behind Locarno. Frosty Imp just battled on for fourth ahead of Paleface Adios, which had every chance, and Margaret Shannon which battled on gamely from far back. COST $l3OO

Koala King is trained at Berry, in southern New South Wales, by Ray Wisbey, who races him in partnership with his brother, Barry. The brothers purchased ,him for $l3OO at the Sydney Yearling Sales. He has now had 141 starts for 52 wins, 53 placings and $422,290. Last night’s win was his twenty-eighth at Harold Park, a record by any horse. He has been driven in 28 of his wins by Kevin Robinson, who last night drove Frosty Imp. Brian Hancock, whb is 32, has driven him in m6st of his other wins. Hancock’s brother, Richard, , who' is 42, finished seventh with Lehigh Lad. Two other brothers, successful jockeys, were tragically killed in a motor accident. Koala King is a seven-year-Old stallion by a former top pace, Koala Frost, from Tawain. He was bred at the Springdale stud by Mr Don Flynn, who said last night that Koala King was the twelfth winner from 13 colts by Koala Frost which he had offered at the Sydney Yearling Sales. INTER-DOMINION FACERS' GRAND FINAL $130,000; 2700 m. . KOALA KING (7) It B. Hancock 1 LOCARNO (6) It R. Butt 2 PURE STEEL 15 T. Demmler 3 Others in finishing order: Frosty Imp. Paleface Adios. Margaret Shannon, Lehigh Lid, Lone Boy, Lea' Sands, Lord Module. 10m, 15m. Time: 3:30.3. Win: $14.65. Places: $2.73, $2.15, $1.75. Quinella: $34.65.