Amaze shows courage in Derby Stakes win

Press, 24 November 1980, Page 32

Amaze shows courage in Derby Stakes win

By

G. K. YULE

Superior stamina gave Amaze victory at the expense of El Regale and Young Pride in the $35,000 New Zealand Derby Stakes at Addington Raceway on Saturday. Amaze went off at a mad gallop from No. 1 at the barrier and he was towards the tail of a spread-out field on settling. Jack Smolensk! improved with him in the middle stages and he was not far from Lomondu Host and Winning Glimpse with 1200 m left. Amaze was sent clear near the 700 m, some distance after Captain Padero had dropped back through the field sadly

beaten. After being clear into the straight he was not seriously challenged, although he was kept up to his work to win by three lengths anda half in 3min 21.75, only 0.6 s outside Motu Prince’s race record. His last 800 m took Imin Is.

El Regale fought on for second, with Young Pride, which attempted to follow Amaze near the 1100 m only to be beaten for a gap, doing well for a horse of his limited experience. Young Pride cut Vita Man out of third by a head, with another head to Melton Monarch, which challenged along the rails after being well back early. Lock Rae tired to sixth, another

head away, after receiving a perfect trail. Then there was a long break to the disappointing Fouroux, which showed nothing in the straight. He was second 'last on settling following an early break. Marka Boy failed badly finishing thirteenth, with Captain Padero last. Amaze is trained at Washdyke by Scobie Harley, who races him in partnership with Mr Jim Connolly and his wife, Ellen, of Temuka. He is a colt by Out to Win from the Easter Cup winner, Torrent, a member of the renowned family founded by the American-bred mare, Bonilene, ancesstress of close

to 300 winners. Top classic or major handicap winners from this family include Adorian, Diamond Hanover, Guiseppe, Damian, Direct Magic, Samantha, Shy Castle, Rising Scott, Armadene, Miss Toliver and Captain Morant. Amaze has now had six starts, five of them this season, for four wins and one fifth placing. He is to contest major restricted age events in Canterbury in the next few months before going on to the Great Northern Derby in the autumn;

Amaze won $22,750 on Saturday, a good return for the late entry fee of $l5OO paid by his connections.