Another ladies’ day at Addington?

Press, 13 November 1981, Page 17

Another ladies’ day at Addington?

By

G. K. YULE

Armalight and Bonnie’s Chance made Tuesday a great day for mares when they filled the first two places in the New Zealand Cup. They could repeat the lesson in the Benson and Hedges N.Z. Free-for-all, the feature race at Addington Raceway today.

No mare has won the free-for-all since Stella Frost in 1970. but New Zealand Cup winners have compiled a remarkable record in the event since Robalan won the two races in 1974. Stanley Rio followed up his Cup victory in 1976 by finishing fourth in the premier sprint, while Sole Command won the Cup and finished fifth in the free-for-all the following year. Lunar Chance (1975), Trusty Scot (1978), Lord Module (1979) and Hands Down last year completed the cup and free-for-all double.

Armalight could add to the fine record of Cup winners in the sprint. She won so easily on Tuesday and is so versatile that the others could find her just as elusive once more. Bonnie’s Chance, shuffled back several lengths at the straight entrance in the Cup and then switched almost to the outside of the track to make her final challenge, was not disgraced when second, seven lengths from Armalight. The Kerrytown-trained speedster has to overcome an awkward second-line barrier draw, but that is by no

means an impossible assignment for her. She has tremendous sprinting ability and should be untroubled to manage a 2min or faster mile rate for the mobile 2000 m. Gammalite. too. must be respected. He received the “chop" as he tried to get to a gap behind Hands Down at the 1100 m in the Cup, just when John Tudor and El Regale were trying for the same position. That he was able to overcome a minor break and

finish fifth said much for his ability and courage. John Tudor, from the favoured No. 3 position. Hands Down, winner of the race last year, and Idolmite, fourth in the Cup. appeal most of the others. Much interest will centre in the first start for the season of Lord Module. His owner-trainer. Cecil Devine, is confident he will move off smoothly from behind the mobile barrier. Lord Module looks in great heart and a big run from him is not impossible, as many might imagine.