Another start for The Sting

Press, 20 September 1982, Page 24

Another start for The Sting

Special correspondent Auckland The Sling's return home to Christchurch has been delayed a week as a result of his success in the main race al the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting on Saturday evening.

His Kaiapoi trainer-driver. Trevor Thompson, said after the Caltex Handicap that he had planned to go home today unless the horse won. He said he was not confident of winning the race. "People were telling me howgood Ben was." he said. "All the same. I gave myself a show. He (The Sting) was a bit unlucky when he ran fourth at Cambridge." Thompson said The Sting jumped al something on the track 400 metres out in the South Waikato Cup last

Wednesday, losing several lengths. The Sting will now contest the Mark Memorial, over 2700 metres from a mobile start, on the second evening. The race will be 500 metres further than the Caltex Handicap. but this is unlikely to trouble The Sting, which is probably a better stayer than sprinter. He more than held his own when tackled by the favourite. Ben. over the final stages of Saturday night's race. There was only a long neck in it at the post but The Sting never really looked like being beaten. The win gave him a C 9 assessment, meaning he needs only one more win to qualify for the SIOO.OOO New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington in November. A six-year-old entire by Card Shark from Eden

Queen. The Sting is owned by Thompson's wife. Marjorie. The Sting took command in the Caltex Handicap at the end of about 700 metres, after first Calm Flight, and then Ben had led the field. Ben tracked The Sting to the home turn and he was being hailed as the winner when driver Graham Reaks pulled him out to challenge.

Jack Hughes, co-trainer with his son Brian, was not disappointed over the failure of Ben to beat his Southern rival.

"He missed about four days' work when he fell in his paddock recently." Jack Hughes said. “It was nothing serious but it set him back a bit. I thought it was a very good run." Jilaire's Chance which, like Ben. was having her first race of the season, was three lengths back third.