Van McFaber to contest Great Northern Derby

Press, 10 February 1981, Page 22

Van McFaber to contest Great Northern Derby

From

PAUL MEIN

in Blenheim

Van McFaber earned himself a tilt at the Great Northern Derby on March 14 with an impressive victory in the W. T. Lowe Memorial at Blenheim yesterday.

"He had to win this one today to justify the trip,” a delighted trainer and. partowner, Frank Bebbington said after the three-year-old had edged out Jersey Surprise in the second leg of the double yesterday. Van McFaber, a gelding by Truant Hanover, is from the Forward mare, Vanqueur, whose dam, Glene, left the top-flight pacer, Forta Prontezza. Van McFaber is raced on lease from Bob McArdle, of Christchurch, by a prominent horseman, Bevin Lawes, in partnership with Robin Bebbington, from Ashburton. The three-year-old showed early speed to lead 1600 m

out yesterday, trailed when first Chippie and then Jersey Surprise took turns at pacemaking, then flashed home late to catch Jersey Surprise short of the post. Fonzeralli, three or four places back on the fence, finished on well for third, with Florlis Frost making ground late after breaking for fourth. Mike de Filippi drove his third winner for the day when he landed Pendah Bay, a longshot winner of the Schenley Handicap. Willie Coon made the rout of the favourites complete finishing fast for second, at odds of 24-to-l. There was a family fla-

vour to Pendah Bay’s win yesterday. • The four-year-old mare was bred by Mrs Judie Collins, litho races Pendah Bay in partnership with her mother, Mrs Gay Hastie. Sixth in the Marlborough Cup on Saturday, Pendah Bay was aided by inside gaps in her winning run in the Schenley Handicap. .- De Filippi had the True Averil mare three back on the fence, however the openings came when the leaders rolled off • the fence, end Pendah Bay steamrolled through for her half-length win. Willie Coon, back on the fence early, finished quickly down the outside for second,

a neck in front of the place favourite, Cousteau. Cousteau moved up quickly to sit without cover with 1600 m to run. The six-year-old received cover when a stablemate, Timely Frost, improved to dispute the pace with the local pacer, Regal Law, with a round to go. Treasurer was close up fourth, finishing well from midfield with Fashion First, which trailed the pacemaker, fading to fifth. The third favourite, Mia Mocca, broke at the start, and struck trouble again 1600 m out.