Lord Module redeems himself with win at trials

Press, 23 October 1980, Page 20

Lord Module redeems himself with win at trials

By

G. K. YULE

Lord Module, under a threat of a ban from racing after failing to take any part in his race at Forbury Park last Saturday, heartened his host of admirers when he was successful at the Addington trials yesterday.

His performance was not flawless, but it was by no means a disgraceful one. He was led round before the start by his driver, Jack Smolensk!, and he caused no bother before the barrier was released. He scrambled away and broke for a few strides before settling a dozen lengths or so from the leading group.

He moved up to be second on the outside of Rocky Tryax and just behind Wee Win before the 800 m and was pacing easily on the outside of the leader racing to the straight. He quickly assumed control and, without being pushed, won by three-parts of a length from Superior Chance, which lost ground at the start and finished solidly.

Good Going went well for third, a length and a half away, with four lengths to tiring Wee Win, which was followed in by Gentle George and Rocky Tryax. Lord Module paced the 2600 m in 3min 26.15. the last 800 m in 595, and the final 400 m in 29.85. He was timed over his last 2400 m in 3min 5.85, with his final 1600 m in 2min 4.65. Both Smolensk! and the horse’s owner-trainer, Cecil Devine, were satisfied with the stallion’s performance. “Leading him round before the start seemed to suit him." said Smolensk!, who added that he felt the horse “would keep improving at the start.” Smolensk! drove Lord Module for the first time when he stood flat-footed at the start at Forbury Park and refused to pace away. He drove him in training on Tuesday and again yesterday morning.

“He’s never before performed like he did at Forbury,” said Devine, who was a relieved man after yesterday’s trial as he was extremely concerned about the possibility of official action being taken against the horse.

Devine has decided against racing Lord Module at Oamaru next Monday, but has entered him for the Mazda Handicap at Addington the following Friday. However, he thinks it unlikely he will contest that race, either. It is not only Lord Module’s barrier manners that are causing Devine concern. The horse has developed quarter cracks in both of his hind feet. Mushroom shoes, similar to those used when Lord Module had quarter cracks in his front hooves, have been applied to keep the pressure off the affected areas.

Be Sly showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with when he resumes racing in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru next Monday with a dashing all-the-way win in the first heat of the main event. He was tracked by Lordable, with Roydon Scott on the outer. This trio drew clear of the others at the straight entrance, with Be Sly coming on to win well in 3min 23.65, for the 2600 m, the last 800 m in Imin, and the final 400 m in 30.85. Lordable beat Roydon Scott by half a head for second, with Roydon Scott being far from disgraced after being in the open all the way. He looks to be at the improving stage. Dainty Judy ran on stoutly for fourth, ahead of Indi-

vidualist, Waitoa and Truant Lass.

A bad smash just inside the final 200 m marred the event for C 3 to C 5 pacers. Cyllarus, which set all the pace, appeared to cross his legs without warning and crashed to the track. In an instant horses and drivers were cannoning into one another, with Brase, Frosty Lobell, Aramis and Thurber Globe either falling or losing their drivers.

Few in the field escaped serious trouble and it was left to Sonnellino to come on and beat Big Idea by a length. Logan Lea was third, two lengths away with five lengths to Treasurer and Wilma’s Chance, and gaps to the others. . The horsemen involved in the accident escaped with minor injuries. The connections of Cyllarus were warned to improve the horse’s racing manners.

Jersey Jan showed fitness when she won the event for C2 pacers, coming from a fair way back to shade Tuatahi Chief, with Gypsy Averil making up a big stretch of ground to dead-heat for third with another poor beginner in No Regrets. Light Lord finished fifth under a hold and looks to have thrived since his two wins earlier in the month. Benjie Tara, although inclined to race a little greenly, got up to beat Waioma narrowly in one of the beats for CO pacers. The 2600 m took' 3min 31.35, with the final 400 m in 31.85. Golden Prince and Onawina were almost in line .next. The Sting, Swift Pursuit, Twilight Mist, Young Pride, Tribute, Lord Brandon and Joe Lord were impressive in

other slow-class events. Tribute recorded 3min 28s for the 2600 m in his heat, the last 400 m in 30.65.

Kabase gave a bold display in the main race for trotters, getting up to beat the pacemaker, Eee Tee, by half a length in 3min 345, the last 800 m in Imin 1.25. Best Choice was not pushed

to finish third, ahead of Sam Roday. CO PACERS, 2600m.— First heat: Twilight Miat, It, J. Crofts 1; Young Pride, It, J. Carmichael 2;Right As Rain, It, W. Butt 3. 13 started. Len, nk, lien. Ponderosa Wyn fourth. Time: 3:35.6 Second heat: The Sting, It, T. Thompson 1; Swift Pursuit, It, A. Kerr 2; Earl’s Gold, It, D. Smolensk! 3. 12 started. Len, 1 len, 2J len. Manchester fourth. Time: 3:29.5. Third heat: Benjie Tara, It, W. Denton 1; Waimoa, It, P. Harrison 2; Golden, Prince, It, T. Thompson 3. 12 started. Hd, nk, nk. Onawina fourth. Time: 3:31.3.

CO AND Cl TROTTERS. 2600m.—Elijah, Lt, C. Barnett 1; Norice Wave, It. R. Stockdale 2; Triarmbro, It, B. Gliddon 3. 14 started. Len, Jen, 3/4 len. Touffe fourth. Time: 3:37. Cl PACERS, 2600m.—Tribute, It, J. Smolensk! 1; Lord Brandon, It, R. Kennedy 2; Major Chance, it, D. Mangos 3. 10 started. 1J len, hd. 3/4 len. Joe Lord fourth. Time: 3:28. C2 PACERS. 2600m.—Jersey Jan, It. M. Smolensk! 1; Tuatahl Chief, It, W. Butt 2; Gypsy Avert!, It, I. Schwamm and No Regrets, It, J. Noble 3 equal. 13 started. Nk, hd, dead heat. Light Lord fifth. Time: 3:35.3. CJ-C5 TROTTERS, 2600m.—Kabase, it, M; Rennie i; Eee Tde, It, J. Carmichael 2; Best Choice, It, B. Hamilton 3. Seven started, j len, 4} len, 3/4. len. Sam Roday fourth. Time: 3:34. C 3-C 5 PACERS, 2600m.—Sonnellino; It, D. yhan 1; Big Idea, It, M. Butt 2; Logan Lea, It, B, Clark 3. 13 started. Len, 2 len, 5 len. Treasurer fourth. Time: 3:34.2. C6-OC PACERS, 2600m.—Firs! heat: Be Sly, it, W. Denton 1; Lordable, it, J. Smolensk! 2; Roydon Scott, It, W. Fletcher 3. Nine started. 1J len, J hd, 7 len. Dainty Judy fourth. Time: 3:23.6. Second heat: Lord Module. It, J. Smolensk! 1; Superior Chance, it, W. Denton 2; Good Going, it, R. Butt 3. Eight started. 3/4 len, H len, 4 len. Wee Win fourth. Time: 3:26.L -