Solitaire finds Trentham conditions ideal

Press, 26 October 1982, Page 34

Solitaire finds Trentham conditions ideal

From

J. J. BOYLE

Wellington Solitaire was booed by some of the Trentham patrons after she won the $20,000 Wellington Handicap at the Wellington Racing Club’s meeting yesterday. “That shows you how little they know,” Solitaire’s Awapuni part and trainer, Miss Margaret Bull, commented when she heard the racket.

“It’s been months since Solitaire has had a track to suit her. I mean a loose track, after rain within a few hours of the race." Solitaire won the Amalgamated Packaging Handicap at the 1981 Grand National meeting but success eluded her again until yesterday when she improved her earnings by $13,000 in this, the ninth win of her career. She has now earned $51,960. “Where next?" Miss Bull was asked after Solitaire's win yesterday. “Wherever it’s raining,” she replied. “They tell me the Canterbury drought has broken, and I would like nothing better than to have a

crack at the New Zealand Cup with her." Solitaire is a seven-year-old by Zamazaan from Sarelle, and belongs to the same family as the great stayer, Think Big. But unlike Think Big she cannot give full expression to her talents when the tracks firm up. . Brian Hibberd, who rode Solitaire yesterday, said he was wondering at one stage if the Awapuni mare would find enough to gather in Medium Dry at the end of the 2200 m. “She would have found it so much easier if the footing had been deeper. As it was, she was having a real battle with a horse that had a light weight, and I was doubtful

for a second if 'she would come through." Hibberd said. Solitaire gave Hibberd his sixth win for the season, his fourth in New Zealand. The other two wins were on Australian courses while he was in Victoria riding for the Rick Hore-Lacy stable at Bendigo. Hibberd was in Australia for five months, and with limited chances rode four winners in that country. After yesterday's win at Trentham he was showing undisguised pleasure at his decision to return to New Zealand when he did. Hibberd rode Solitaire from just behind the middle of the field for yesterday's

win. The runner-up, Medium Dry, was almost alongside Solitaire at the 1600 m, but dashed into a contending position a little earlier. Medium Dry followed Sirtain and Honourville around the home turn, then made a likely looking run into the lead, but gamely though he responded, he could not find enough to cope with Solitaire’s challenge. Athamas, which was left to give weight all round after Speculation and Lone Hand were scratched, battled into third a length and a quarter back, but after that Wanganui four-year-old there was a straggling procession. Gaimoss tired from the front end to finish fourth in a

gap of five lengths and Double U Dee came from the back for fifth. The Riccarton-trained Firefly, the only South Island runner, struggled ineffectually on the rain-affected track. “She’s a long strider, she was getting her feet into the ground and didn't seem able to pull them out,” said her rider, Nigel Tiley. Firefly will have one more chance to show she is New Zealand Cup material — in the Benson and Hedges on the first day of the C.J.C. carnival. Unlike Margaret Bull, the connections of Firefly will be hoping for firm footing at Riccarton.