Brosnan not very happy about Cup draw

Press, 9 February 1983, Page 32

Brosnan not very happy about Cup draw

Special correspondent

Auckland

It is just as well Richard Brosnan’s father does not train Bonnie’s Chance. If he did, the Kerrytown-trained mare would not start in the Auckland Trotting Cup on Saturday night.

“Dad would have been off home after seeing the barrier draw." Brosnan said smilingly at Alexandra Park yesterday.

“He would have said you have got no chance from the second row in such a field." His father, Jack Brosnan, was a successful trainer before he retired a few years ago.

Richard Brosnan is naturally though, not very happy about her barrier draw. No. 14. in New Zealand's richest

race for standardbreds. valued at $120,000.

“Still, there is nothing anyone can do about it." he said. “Last year she started from the second row and was only just beaten by Gammalite." The draw apart. Brosnan has no complaints.

Bonnie’s Chance came through last Saturday's Sparkling Chardon Handicap, which she won brilliantly, in fine style. She is being stabled at Bruce Stenning's property at Ararimu, but is doing her hoppled work at Alexandra Park.

Brosnan gave her a steady run ove 3200 metres yesterday. The time was 4min 445, the last 800 m in lmin 7.85.

She will probably have another run at the Park

tomorrow at much the same tempo, according to Brosnan.

Another South Island mare. Armalight. which is being stabled on the course, went 3200 m in 4min 40s. She maintained an even pace in the hands of her owner-trainer. Brent Smith, until the home turn. Smith then let her speed up. Armalight did not race well in the Sparkling Chardon Handicap and is still not eating as well as her trainer would like, but was getting better. She is drinking normally again. “She felt good this morning." he said.

The Christchurch trainer. Derek Jones, brought his Cup candidate, Hands Down, in from Pukekohe where the 1980 New Zealand Cup

winner is stabled at Nandina Stud. Hands Down was not asked for a serious effort. He is well enough, according to Jones, who drove him in the Sparkling Ciiardon Handicap.

It is not certain that the gelding's usual driver, Peter Jones, will handle him in the cup.

Derek Jones explained that his son had a good number of drives at the Ashburton meeting on Saturday. Mai Mai and El Regale, which are being quartered at Alexandra Park, were let off with light work. Both are in fine trim.

El Regale did not compete on the first night because his trainer, George Noble, was not keen on running him in a standing-start race.'