Auckland trotters for Addington

Press, 27 October 1982, Page 37

Auckland trotters for Addington

Special correspondent

Auckland

Cal Brydon and Stormy Morn, the first two in the big race for trotters at Alexandra Park on Saturday evening, are to contest the $40,000 Dominion Handicap at Addington next month. Jenner and Thriller Dee, third and fourth respectively in the Benson and Hedges Inter-island Trotters Stakes will also almost certainly line up, giving the Auckland area its strongest representation for years in the South Island’s premier race for trotters.

The Pukekohe trained but Christchurch-owned Stormy Morn won the race last year, eight years after the previous northern winner, Easton Light. Stormy Morn and Cal Brydon had a great tussle over the final stages of Saturday’s race.

With Cal Brydon a neck in front, the pair had the finish to themselves: Jenner was four lengths and a half back. After Cal Brydon had made the early running, Stormy Morn took command with about 2000 m of the 2700 m journey left. He pressed on in his usual determined style with Cal

Brydon right behind. Stormy Morn fought back doggedly when tackled just after rounding the home turn and he just failed to hold on. Cal Brydon had looked unlucky on the first night of the meeting a week earlier when he was driven by Brendan Schumacher. This time, he was piloted by Gordon Newberry, who is trainer and joint owner of the gelding with his brother Bryan. Gordon Newberry had only two days before returned home from visiting the family’s trotting establishment in Victoria. John Newberry, a son of Bryan Newberry, is in charge of the stable, in Victoria. Cal Brydon was taken to Victoria last year where from 15 attempts he bad five wins, before being returned to New Zealand about four months ago. He won at his first start this season and has raced consistently well since. From seven starts he has produced two wins, two seconds, a third, a fourth and the unlucky fifth on the first night of the Auckland meeting which conclyded on Saturday. |