Regal Spirit best qualifier

Press, 13 May 1981, Page 29

Regal Spirit best qualifier

Regal Spirit showed ability when he was successful jin his 2400 m qualifying heat I in 3min 13.6 s at Addington [Raceway yesterday. i He drew out to a handy lead early, was eased in the middle part and then fought back gamely to win by a head. Trained by R. MacFarlane. he was driven by Alex Wright. He is a three-yenr-old gelding by the Regal Yankee horse, Regal Command, from Lady Sprott. Equally as impressive was the second placing, a head awav, of the two-year-old fillv, Rapid Lustre, a mem-

ber of Ross Payne’s team. She is in the Roydon Lodge Fillies’ Stakes at Washdyke on Saturday.

Two other two-year-olds qualified, Where Else winning his heat in 3min 16s when the wind was at its worst, while Mighty Antrim recorded 3min 15.9 s when second to Timely Dryden a three-year-old gelding by Timely Knight from Dryden Frances in Jim Geddes’s team.

Where Else, trained by Bob Young, is by World Skipper from Sea Bee, while Mighty Antrim is by Nardin’s Byrd from Mighty Eagle. She is trained by Colin Hadfield, who intends putting her aside until the spring. Others to qualify were Big Song, Alacante, Spangled Banner, Ego Lass, Noble Gesture, La Sorella and Lily Globe.

Bossy Boy was impressive when he won the trotters’ sweepstake, while Aida, Slalom, Sovereign’s Reign and Chancealot won the corresponding events for pacers.

Aida, which is to race at Washdyke, recorded the fastest time of 3min 30.6 s among the pacers. She is due to graduate from maiden company at short notice.