Prix de I’Arc target for Our Flight

Press, 25 November 1982, Page 26

Prix de I’Arc target for Our Flight

Special correspondent Wellington The Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe is now the major objective for the filly Our Flight, a most decisive winner of yesterday’s Bayer Classic at Levin.

At Levin, her home course and aided by a quite brilliant tactical ride from Maurice Campbell, Our Flight beat Red Tempo by two lengths and a half with Clansman third, to give the top shots the three major placings. Plans for the filly were announced by Our Flight’s owner, Jim Rusher. “First it’s The Derby f then The Oaks,” he said, “then Australia in the autumn and after, why not Paris.” Our Flight would be the first “Kiwi” to try the race. Balmerino ran second in the race and Ring The Bell was unplaced. Such is the coincidence that Campbell was Balmerino’s partner in that race. Yesterday Campbell played his part in the race. The plan was for Our Flight to settle back and she did, second-last in the field. She followed Red Tempo third-last and then on the turn Campbell rode up alongside to put Red Tempo in a pocket. Then on the turn she was gone, headed for home. Red Tempo was out, late, but in the end he was not making any impression. Clansman ran a brave race to take third, but the crowd was behind Our Flight and her margin was convincing.

Our Flight, which early this season failed a veterinary test for a sale, has now won six, of her eight races this term. With luck it could have been eight out of eight.

She now becomes the hottest filly property in the country. Those wins include the 1000 Guineas, the Desert Gold and the Wellington Guineas.

Our Flight has now had 15 races for seven wins in total. Her stakes are now $129,475. She is a filly by Imperial

Guard out of Jane Flight, a mare bought by Mr Rusher when Our Flight was being carried. Mr Rusher has since sold the mare, to Australia, but he said yesterday that she had foaled another youngster. Our Flight is trained Dy Errol Skelton whose stable is just a few yards away from the racecourse.

While all the ballyhoo was going on Our Flight was in her box at home. She was saddled up there and brought to the course.

Our Flight has had a hard campaign, but she came through her Riccarton trip in fine fettle and yesterday’s win was her easiest so far.

Red Tempo was not disgraced. It was his first defeat after five wins on end.

His part-trainer, Robert Priscott, commented: “She is obviously a very good filly. We may have pushed her harder but for the check." He is keen for a rematch: “It is good'for racing.” That rematch is likely in The Derby though Red Tempo is expected to race next in the Avondale Guineas.

Rider, Chris McNab, said he was held up when Campbell went round, but added he would not have beaten the winner anyway.

He thought a furlong out he may gather in the filly, but she just went away from him.

Clansman was ridden hard early to hold his place. Rider, “Allie” Robinson, had him in behind the pace on the turn and gave him every chance.

“He was never going well at any part, but kept coming.”

Both Robinson and trainer, Dave Kerr feel the horse needs more ground. His pre-race preparation was not helped by a filly being placed in the box next to him the night before the race. Kerr and his wife, Jan, had quite some problems in settling him down. Plans to keep him north are likely to go ahead.

Fourth was Beaufort Lass. Just cut out of third, her rider, Garry Phillips, said she raced beautifully and skipped two lengths clear when asked for her effort near the turn but she was soon under pressure.

Beaufort Lass is now likely to be given a brief letup and will not race until after Christmas. Passakiss ran on for fifth, but was no threat, and then followed Freewheeling and Colman. Results: T.A.B. code: TN Track firm; weather fine ROD WEIR AND CO. LTD HIGHWEIGHT $2700, 2200 m 1- TRANQUIL SEA 8 59 G. Harris 1 5-7 REMY MARTIN 7 59 J. McGifford 2 2- SORRY SIR 4 60.5 A. Robinson 3 Others in finishing order: 3-1 Glacier, 13-13 Misty Mountain, 10-10 The Pro, 7-6 Spearhead, Illi Foxmara, 9-9 Kathie’s Star, 65 Piako, 14-14 Gena, 8-8 Miss Chance, 12-12 Not Much, 4-4 Yorksmith. % len, % len, hd. Time: 2.T9.5. Win: $4.30. Places: $l.BO, $4.05, $l.BO. Quinella: $48.20 RUSS KENNY MEMORIAL $2500. 1400 m 2-2 OMANA 7 54.5 J. Cassidy ■ ■ ■ 1 1-1 ELUCIDATE 1 55.5 G. Phillips 2 8-8 HONNETTE JOUER 13 50.5 M. Barnsley ... 3

Others in finishing order: 12-12 Sanctify, 11-11 McPhee, 10-10 Dha, 5-5 Amathusia, 3-3 Tirpitz. 13-13 Prince Bernard, 4-4 Ike's Revenge. 14-14 Mandoline, 6-6 Prenora. 7-7 Lord of the Turf, 9-9 Mer Bleu. Hd. % len. nk. Time: 1:24.1. Win: $6. Places: $1.95. $1.40. $4.75. Quinella: $8.25. WEST DERBY STUD PLATE $3500. 1000 m 2- PINSON 3 57 B. Hibberd 1 1-1 CALL ME STUMPY 13 51 R. Lowry 2 3- TOLTEC 12 55 M. Campbell 3 Others in finishing order: 4-3 Aptitude, 7-7 Helmsdale, 12-12 Gay Cheval, 5-5 Della’s Agent. 13-13 Any Pound, 6-6 Gilda, 9-10 Royal Tidings, 14-14 Munequita. 10-9 Mystic Nymph, 11-11 Princess Verna, 8-8 Arnie. Len, long nk, 3 len. Time: 58.2 sec. Win: $3.70. Places: $1.60, $1.35. $1.90. Quinella: $2.80. BAYER CLASSIC SECOND CONSOLATION $6OOO. 1600 m 4- . MR CHAUVINIST 5 55.5 T. Williams 1 3-4 TOFFEE NOSE 1 55.5 G. Childs 2 1- ATRAPAR 2 55.5 P. Smith 3 Others in finishing order: 10-10 Brilliant, 2-1 Came-. and Conquered, 11-11 Mack’s Law, 6-6 Panphilae. 8-8 Gritain, 9-9 Blue Ensign, 7-7 Sir Hemi, 14-13 Big Trie, 5-5 Succinct, 12-12 Kimberley Girl, 13-14 De Facto. 3 len, l‘/2 len, 6 len. Time: 1:37.6. Win: $6.65. Places: $2.30, $2.55, $1.85. Quinella: $15.85. MODERN FREIGHTERS HANDICAP $5OOO. 2200 m ■ 2- ISLE A GREE 2 54 P. Goss 1 3- WERE’N BUSINESS 4 52.5 J. Cassidy 2 4- PAPABIOS 5 49.5 P. Worthington 3 Others in finishing order: 10-10 Flying Legend. 6-5 Cuss, 1-1 Goldfield, 8-8 Novel Time, 5-6 Standoff, 7-7 Bon Heir, 11-11 Poise, 9-9 Miss Cool. Va len. % len, nose. Time: 2:20.7. Win: $4.55. Places: $1.65, $1.75, $1.85. Quinella: $8.70. LEVIN CUP STAKES $15,000. 1400 m 2-2 DIPLOMANTE 9 55.5 G. Phillips 1 1-1 TUDOR SKY 54.5 W. Robinson 2 6-6 SILVEROIDER 14 54.5 J. Cassidy. 3 Others in finishing order: 5-5 Sweet Nell, 7-7 El Pedro, 3-3 Summer Haze, 4-4 Volare, 8-8 King’s Royal, 11-11 Caucus, 9-9 Nioami, 10-10 Rosie Dawn. 2 len, l>/z len, hd. Time: 1:22.5. Win: $6.20. Places: $l.BO, $1.15, $3.40. Quinella: $5.30. BAYER CLASSIC FIRST CONSOLATION $BOOO, 1600 m 9-7 SUSIESILVER 14 53 D. Walsh . 1

3-2 GOLD SPRAY 20 53 J. Cassidy 2 6-6 GLAMOUR STAR 16 53 B. Hibberd 3 Others in finishing order: 4-5 Aychere. 1-1 Silver Samurai, 5-4 Sir Riverton, 8-8 Catheness, 2-3 Amcan. 7-9 Fantini. 11-11 Splendour Miss, 10-10 El Marino (lost rider). len, nk, len. Time: 1:37.5. Win: $12.50. Places: $3.45. $2.25. $2.65. Quinella: $50.90. 1982 BAYER CLASSIC $95,000. 1600 m 2- OUR FLIGHT 12 53 M Campbell 1 1- RED TEMPO 1 55.5 C. McNab 2 3- CLANSMAN 2 55.5 A. Robinson 3 Others in finishing order: 4-4 Beaufort Lass. 5-5 Passakiss, 8-8 Freewheeling, 12-12 Colman, 7-7 Reveillia, 6-6 Stage Hit, 13-13 Captain Supreme. 11-11 Kar Dan 9- Rajeunir, 14-14 Teawa Mac 10- Silver Guide. 2'/a len, 3 len, Ig nk. Time: 1:36.2. Win $6.85. Places: $1.65. $1.40. $2. Quinella: $3.90. BALLANDE NEW ZEALAND LTD HANDICAP $3OOO. 1600 m 9-9 OFFICER SCOTT 2 56 D. Grahonja 1 2- FIRST SIGHT 456 L. Robinson 2 8-8 CALUMET 10 52.5 T. Williams 3 Others in finishing order: 7-7 Beau Charade. 6-3 Baycrest. 1212 Yana, 10-10 Big Dan, 1-1 Sandhurst, 4-6 Cashelmara. 11-11 Appendix, 3-5 Unique Wonder, 5-4 Purdah Gold, 13-13 Rascal, 14-14 Belarus. Nk. nk, nose. Time: 1:37.4. Win: $18.20. Places: $5.45. $2.30, $4.40. Quinella: $73.95. .