Fillies impress in grand trials for N.Z. Oaks

Press, 16 April 1980, Page 26

Fillies impress in grand trials for N.Z. Oaks

Regal Cheval and Chantilly .Belle emerged as two of the most- likely to offer opposition to Armaiight in the $15,000 New Zealand Oaks on Anzac Day when they won impressively at Addington Raceway last evening.

Regal Cheval, a big disappointment in much of her racing earlier this season, came back to form in style in the'Rata .Handicap. She began well for Michael de Filippi and led from end to end.

She sprinted her last 400 m in 29s and beat Kenton Lad by two lengths, with The Raider making a late bid for third a nose away. Chileno came on steadily for a close fourth, clear of Aran Hunter and Velebit, which did well after a poor beginning. Regal Cheval is trained at Rangiora by Maurice Vermeulen, who races the filly by El Patron in partnership with his wife. The filly has been troubled for some months by a blood disorder, which appears to have been cured. She was one of the

more talented two-year-olds of last season and looks to be coming back to top form at a vital time.

Chantilly Belle added to the fine record of horses trained by Fred Fletcher when she held on to win the Metropolitan Breeders’ Stakes.

She pulled fairly hard in mid-field, improving sharply from the 700 m to take control with more than 400 m left. She was clear early in the run home and lasted it out well to record 3mih 24.95ec for the 2600 m, 0.6 s faster than the winning time of Regal. Cheval. Chantilly Belle, by Wejover from Belle Hurricane, is raced by Mr Roy McKenzie, of Wellington. Frosty Lopez, which raced greenly, came fast to cut Royal Decision out of second by a short length, with four lengths back to Callisto and Onedin Lass, with Whata Glow close by. The third favourite, Elfin, was still back with the tailenders starting the final 400 m and she finished eighth, a splendid run con-

sidering it was her first start for the season.

Sam Roday, at odds of more than 28 to 1, upset calculations in the Matai Handicap. He took the lead with about 400 m left and held off a determined late run from Now Then by three-parts of a length. Flying Bay had her chance and was a head away third, a length in front of Catto, which came late on the scene to shade Kotare Flight for fourth.

The second favourite, Daynoma, had every chance, but sixth was the best he could manage.Ross Payne combined with Ribbonwood Prince for a decisive all-the-way win in the Kahu Handicap, a race for probationary horsemen.

Ribbonwood Prince was always . pacing comfortably and did not look like being tested. He won by a length and a half from Ann Lord, which had every chance. Rosemarie Bromac battled on for third, clear of Spangled Partner, which made up ground. Game Way gained his

fifth win in less than three months when, after receiving the run of the race, he was successful in the Totara Handicap. The favourite, Speedy Tuft came fast wide out on the track to run the winner to a neck. It was a grand run as he was, still near the tail of the field starting the last 600 m. ! Eee Tee trotted his best race for some time to take third half a length back, a neck in front of Maudey, another to come from near last. Wise Game made ground for fifth, ahead of Del Maria.

The Power Game, having only his third start of the season, did best in a tight three-sided finish to the Rimu Handicap. . The Power Game was sent to the front with 1600 m left by Denis Nyhan. He set a sound pace and fought back strongly when hotly challenged in the straight. At the end he had half a head to spare over Tawhai Blue, with a head back to Galloway. Okere fought on for fourth, just ahead of Cousteau.