Ring the Bell best in Derby

Press, 27 December 1980, Page 15

Ring the Bell best in Derby

Special correspondent Auckland Ring the Bell completed a remarkably successful three months which his win in the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie yesterday. The $62,500 first prize brought his stake earnings as a three-year-old to $100,525, all' won since late September.'" ■ .. This latest win was Ring the Bell’s fifth of the season and might have come his way in any circumstance. It has to be said, though, that he was spared a much closer finish by the severe check which Amyl, the runner-up, suffered with some 300 m to go. • The wonder was that Amyl kept his feet. As it happened h,e ran Ring the Bell to a length at' the finish and with a bit further to go might have made it very close indeed. Amyl had ’ Summertime Lad and El Casino right alongside, third and fourth at the finish, with Highland Dale next Then came Key’s Boy. • . ■ .

The trainer of Summer, time Lad, Ivan Tucker, straightaway put in a protest against Amyl, on the ground of alleged interference. There would. have been an inquiry anyway, both Amyl and Summertime Lad > having had their chances badly affected; in the scrimmage. . After deliberating at considerable length the-judicial committee allowed the judge’j platings to stand.

Amyl, they decided, had been bumped by a horse on his inner and in turn caused lesser interference to Summertime Lad, although not sufficient they concluded, to affect the other horse’s chance.- ? •

The inquiry was adjourned to be reopened- on Monday when, the possibility ‘of action against one or other of the riders involved;is pretty certain to be considered.

Ring the Bell’s quickness again had much to do with his success. While others ended the first' 1600 m looking for some way to. improve from awkward positions well back in the 18horse field, Ring the Bell ran easily up into fourth place. , As soon as the pacemaker, Proud Avon, yielded, Ring the Bell raced to the- front and he stayed there, as gamely as -ever,: to. the finish- ■ ■ ■ ■. ' . 7 Ring the Bell began the present season , winning a 1200 m at Te Ardha. He came second next time, behind County Cork in the Great Northern Guineas, then- first in a 1600 m at Avondale, second. (Waikato Guineas), first Alison Stakes and first (Avondale Guineas) before this great win.

; A bay colt by Balcarres stud’s Rangong, - the sire of Hypemo, Ring the Bell is another .of .racing’s great bargains/ He’ was bought for, a mere $3OOO at Dalgety Bloodstock’s .Yearling Sale last; year.