Noble Heights fails in Stakes

Press, 21 December 1981, Page 24

Noble Heights fails in Stakes

Special correspondent Wellington

The almost vice-like grip that Noble Heights looked to have against those of her own age and sex in the Eulogy Stakes, the sixth race in the Wrightson “Filly of the Year” series, diminished within less than two minutes at Awapuhi on Saturday. Bruce Compton cleverly rode Julia to win the Manawatu Racing Club’s $14,500 event, and Noble Heights only battled into fourth.

Noble Heights was sore when she cooled out. The club’s veterinary surgeon and two other veterinarians, examined the filly. It was reported that Noble Heights was suffering from some lameness on the off-fore leg, but the seat of the trouble still has to be determined.

Noble Heights will go to Massey for further examination.

While Noble Heights was the centre of attention little could be taken away from the efforts of Julia and her connections. The filly, which is trained by Anton Koolman and Steve Dennett, at Otaki, ran the race of her life on Saturday. At her previous start she was the runner-up to Noble Heights in the One

Thousand Guineas at Riccar- * ton.

While her form has been good, the win on Saturday was only Julia’s second. Her first came in a maiden race at Levin early in the year. Compton quickly took Julia to the front and she stayed there. Her rider was quite happy to dictate the pace and felt sure she would respond just as well out in front. Julia did not disappoint. The line-up was there behind her on the turn, but Julia kept going and though Gold Raider rushed home late to close the gap to a head, the margin was enough. Wandering Leah cut Noble Heights out of third. Julia picked up 13 points on Saturday, Gold Raider 6.5 and Wandering Leah 3.25. Noble Heights earned none. Noble Heights still leads with 47 points from Julia, 34; Swell Deal, 13; and Gold Raider. 12.5.

The next two races in the series are the Ladies Mile at Ellerslie in eight days time and then the Royal Stakes on the same track on January 2. Julia is raced by Stuart Smith, a company secretary from Wellington. He paid $4250 for Julia at the 1980 Wrightson Waikato Sale.