N.Z.’s Cup hopes raised

Press, 30 October 1981, Page 20

N.Z.’s Cup hopes raised

From ALLAN BROWN Melbourne

Hopes of a New Zealand win in the Melbourne Cup, further encouraged by Magistrate’s Weribee Cup win on Wednesday, were raised higher at Flemington yesterday morning when Koiro Trelay came up again with such fine form in training. Certainly there had been faster Melbourne Cup trials on the track but not too many. One docker, Des Spain, who has timed more horses at Flemington than anyone else, declared Koiro Trelay’s gallop “one' of the best I’ve seen in years.” Koiro Trelay, ridden by Philip Smith, set out from the 1600 m with Lordship, a three-year-old from Tommy Smith’s stable which is held in no small regard, and beat the other horse easily. Let go only from the 250 m, Koiro Trelay went ahead in a few strides. He was two or three lengths clear after a further 100 m and some six or

eight ahead reaching the finish.

The New Zealand stayer returned Imin 41.755, and for the last 400 m a particularly smart 25.55. Neither Smith nor Koiro Trelay’s trainer, Eric Temperton, had expected such a time. “I would have been pleased enough with 1:44 or 1:45,” Temperton said. “They were out 10m and I told Philip to let him (Koiro Trelay) stretch out only in the last 200 m, not to overdo him.”

According to Smith, who has been pretty much Koiro Trelay’s regular rider these past 12 months, the horse had never worked better. “He's a five lengths better horse than when he had his final gallop for the Wellington Cup,” Smith said. “He went to the finish so easily.” Koiro Trelay drew some curious looks when he came out in front of a big crowd of spectators bandaged and booted on all four legs but it is customary for him to

carry such protection in his training gallops, otherwise he can give himself a nick or two.

Malcolm Johnson, who rode Lordship admitted also to having been impressed by Koiro Trelay. Kingston Town’s regular rider, but at present under suspension, Johnson had not previously seen Koiro Trelay. “Certainly my bloke (Lordship) was no use to him,” Johnson said, “but then again he’s no Kingston Town." Among the other Melbourne Cup horses on show at Flemington yesterday, My Paddy Boy looked good,' as did Just a Dash, also Kingston Town and No Peer even if not required to raise quite the speed shown by some others.

Our Paddy Boy, so good in New Zealand when a two-year-old, now with a Sydney Cup and A. J. C. derby to his credit, continues to have a mind of his own.

Forever changing his methods with the horse the

trainer, Colin Hayes, this time tried Our Paddy Boy in blinkers and had him first on the track just as soon as there was sufficient light for safety.

Our Paddy Boy, ridden by Mick Mallyon, responded by running 1200 m in lmin 14s, always clear of a stablemate Find the Gold.

Kingston Town strode easily through the early stages of 1800 m and did the last 400 m in 25.755. Just a Dash, another from T. J. Smith’s team, went strongly all through 1800 m in 2min 1.55; the last 400 m in 23.55. No Peer ran 1600 m in lmin 54.55, asked for speed only over the last 600 m in 37.55. Hyperno looked to have the better of My Sir Avon over 1600 m in lmin 49.255. Belmura Lad ran a steady 1600 m, sprinting the last 400 m in 25.5 s and Bright Halo rounded off 1200 m with 600 m in 375.