Griff shows ability at trials

Press, 22 October 1980, Page 29

Griff shows ability at trials

By

G. K. YULE

Griff showed that he was making fine progress in preparation for his race debut in the Spring Time Stakes next month when he was successful at the Addington trials yesterday.

The brother to a New Zealand Derby Stakes winner, Koarakau, settled in fourth place, Barry Nyhan pulling him out on the home turn. He finished solidly to win by a length and a quarter after recording the splendid time of 2min 43.7 s for the 2000 m, the last 800 m in Imin 4s, and the final 400 m in 32.85.

His stablemate, El Vista (El Patron-Song Key) did remarkably well for second after being slow early and near the tail of a spread-out at the end of 800 m. He looks a likely type. Lucky Fred, given the run of the race, battled on for third half a length from El Vista. The Armbro Del-’ Lucky Truant gelding did not come on quite as well as

expected considering the run he received.

Graeme’s Choice (Regal Yankee-Happy Court) was a fair fourth, ahead of Li’l Abner (Boyden HanoverHal’s Lady) which made up ground from the 500 m.

The heat for fillies went to Beau Fighter, (Nardin’s Byrd-Bright Hanover) in 2min 45.85, the last 800 m in Imin 1.65, and the final 400 m in 30.85. She did well to win as she broke after about 200 m and looked to have little chance at the 1000 m.

Lady Leaway ‘MassieTutty Del) made all of the pace and held second half a head from Beau Fighter, with three lengths and a half to Eldamar (El Patron-Lavender Patch), another to make a mistake early. Wee Byrd (Bolton Byrd-Wee Hope) had every chance and held on for fourth a head further away, with Regal Miss (Lopez Hanover-Regality) at the head of the others.

Graham Brown, which is booked to race at Waikouaiti at the end of the month, showed that he was not far from his best when he beat the three-year-old colts and geldings in 3min 33.9 s for the 2600 m. Graham Brown set the pace and took Imin 0.2 s for his last 800 m, the final 400 m in 30.25. He was doing his work well at the end.

Lemrac (Noodlum-Carmel) paced a sound race for second, a nose in front of Special Appeal (El Patron-Bou-tique), with Young ..Tala (Young Charles-Sakuntala) pacing strongly into fourth. Idle Along (Scottish Hano-ver-Idle Dream) showed ability to lead throughout the heat for fillies, lasting to win by a nose from Kaputone Dreamer (Lumber Dream-Lottie Hanover), with Lasting Fame (El PatronDorstan) two lengths back third, a similar distance in front of Bonny Cord (Card Shark-Bonny Cindy). The 2600 m took 3min 355,

I with the last 800 m in Imin 1.65, and the final 400 m in 30.85. Blue Mike, a member of Kevin Dueart’s team, re- 1 corded the fastest time among the nine pacers to qualify from a standing start. He paced the 2600 m in 3min 30s and won easily. Others to qualify were Sheila Win, Flint Hard, Bengal, Winning Streak, Trilby, Gay Fagan, Ina and Helchasen.

Viewfield, from Peter Toomey’s team, won the mobile start event in a smart 3min 27.55, beating the pacemaker, Yankee Million, and Tigeref, both of which also qualified. Andrea, a three-year-old filly by Nevele Bigshot from Vai’s Girl, won the event for trotters by 40 lengths in 3min 36s after breaking and losing 50m early. She is a half-sister to Armbro Lady and Lee Mir and looks to have inherited the family ability.