Double Smooth emerges as Sapling Stakes prospect

Press, 31 May 1982, Page 21

Double Smooth emerges as Sapling Stakes prospect

Double Smooth emerged as a leading prospect for the $13,000 New Zealand Sapling Stakes at Ashburton this Saturday when he was successful in the Stan Andrews Stakes at the Canterbury Park meeting on Saturday evening. The Nelson-owned gelding came in for confident support as a result of some consistent racing at trials at Nelson and Blenheim and it was not displaced. However, his army of supporters had plenty of cause for concern when he paced unevenly early and later when he was inclined to drift. Double Smooth followed Bee El when he improved' wide out from the 600 m to join Jason Troy in front turning for home. At that

stage Ashley Knight was blocked behind Jason Troy. Bee El soon took the measure of Jason Troy, while lan Cameron was having difficulty working Ashley Knight into the clear. Double Smooth then put in his claim and he got up to win going away by a length and a half from the unlucky Ashley Knight. Bee El was only a neck away, third, clear of Premier Glow and Trinity Chase, which was checked in a mix-up which started when Born to, Win tangled near the 600 m. Double Smooth is owned by Messrs lan Thomas and Max Inwood, who bred him, and he is trained at Brightwater by Brian Hill. ' “It was his lack of experience which caused problems

in the early part of the race, but later I had no worries,” said Hill.

Double Smooth is by Smooth Fella from Bowcane, by Armbro Hurricane from Bright Bow, the dam also of Peblo Khan, Bess Hanover, Trusty Byrd, Lord Fernando and others. He descends from Pearlchild, founder of a family which has produced a host of classic performers.

Novander, a daughter of Great Evander and a talented trotter of a few years back in Edis Nova, showed ability far above her experience — she is now unbeaten in two starts — when she beat the favourite, Bloxett, in the May Stakes.

Novander covered extra ground, but had too much in reserve and won by a neck.

Bloxett was well clear of Crib Creek and Hail Crockett.

Dragon’s Pride brought his record to five wins on end when he outclassed his rivals in the Nigel Craig Handicap. Jim Kelly’s gelding was out by three lengths and a half from Twinkle at the line, but there was no chance of his being tested. Stormy did slightly better than King Solomon to take third.

Gavotte, in the hands of John Versteeg, showed great talent to lead throughout the Canterbury Rugby League Stakes and along with Betty Adios, she provided the highlights in supporting events.

Those who braved the biting cold to see the final event, the Anglo Pacific

International Stakes, were well rewarded by a fascinating duel between Betty Adios and Robert Henry. Robert Henry set the pace, with Betty Adios being sent alongside "him near the 800 m. Bob Negus applied the pressure and Robert Cameron eased Betty Adios into the trail. Betty Adios attacked again near the straight entrance and came on to win by a short length after recording Imin 59.6 s for the mile.

Robert Henry was unchallenged for second, finishing six lengths ahead of Kakama. Likely Lord and Duplex Hanover also gained fine wins, suggesting that they should shine on the coming winter circuit.