Third time lucky for Bonnie’s Chance?

Press, 11 February 1983, Page 19

Third time lucky for Bonnie’s Chance?

Special correspondent Auckland It looks very much like being a case of third time lucky for Bonnie's Chance in the $120,000 Auckland Trotting Cup at Alexandra Park tomorrow evening. The brilliant Kerrytown mare has dominated discussions on the race for some time. Indeed, such has been her superlative form this season, she was always going to be the favourite even if she had been beaten in the main lead-up event, the Sparkling. Chardon Handicap, on the opening night of the Cup meeting last Saturday. A scintillating win in the race from the difficult mark of 15 metres — all except Hands Down of her cup rivals in the field were on the front mark — strengthened the widely held opinion that this would be her year.

Bonnie's Chance was a shock failure in the 1981 Auckland Trotting Cup when she was only slightly less backed than the favourite, Delightful Lady, which ran away with the race in the record time of 3min 22.9 s for the 2700 m from a mobile start.

Bonnie’s Chance had won most impressively on the first night and her connections were mystified by her lack-lustre performance —

she was last of the finishers. She again scored deci-

sively on the first night of last year's cup meeting. In the cup. she was a pronounced favourite and she made a gallant attempt to pull her backers through. After starting from the second row, she was beaten a head by the Australian star. Gammalite. As Gammalite also started from the second row, the result of the race rather scotched the theory of some people that a second row barrier position is always a disadvantage. It can be a' handicap, of course, usually when the horse directly in front cannot keep up from the start — but often a "second-rower” winds up well placed when the field has sorted itself out. Unless there are scratchings, which yesterday seemed very unlikely, none of the four balloted-out horses in the cup field will get a start. That being so, Bonnie's Chance will come in from No. 14 to No. 11 and will be right behind El Regale. El Regale has shown himself to be a pretty good horse and, in form, capable of a bold showing in the best company. He has had a careful preparation for the race in the hands of George Noble, a highly successful trainer for many years.

El Regale has given most of his best performances when able to be kept for a

late run. He is by no means a forlorn chance. Even so. a number of others are sure to find more favour with betters, notably Mai Mai. Hilarious Guest, Armalight and Zabadak.

Like Bonnie’s Chance and El Regale, all these horses come from the South Island.

It will be very surprising if the first prize of $63,000. plus a $3OOO gold cup. does not go south; six of the candidates are owned and trained in the South Island and Melton Monarch and Jilaire’s Chance, although trained in the north, have southern owners. The best of local candidates may be John Tudor, Ben and Calm Flight. All are sure, however, to be at liberal odds.

It is equally certain the race will be run at a strong pace with such good frontrunners as Mai Mai and Hilarious Guest in the field. Mai Mai has drawn No. 4 and Hilarious Guest, No. 5. Both are very fast out of the “gate” and it looks very probable they will tussle for the lead. Mai Mai has fashioned a fine record since he came north towards the end of December and he appears sure to give another fine account of himself. He was only just beaten by Bonnie’s Chance in last week’s Sparkling Chardon Handicap after looking all over the winner with 100 m to' go.

Hilarious Guest, runaway winner of the Woolworth’s New Zealand Messenger on December 30. made a dashing return to Alexandra Park last week. when she scored just as comfortably in the Radio Hauraki "10.000" Mobile Stakes. She made the pace again. Zabadak was only third in the Sparkling Chardon Handicap but it was a good run because he was parked out nearly all the way. Southern trotting men rate him highly.

In their best form, Armalight and Hands Down would be tough to beat. Neither showed up in last Saturday’s lead-up race but it might be wise to ignore their showings. Armalight had not done well in training since she arrived from Christchurch. She has picked up a good deal this week and, certainly, will be in better condition.

Hands Down, invariably slow from a standing start, had no chance from 15 metres in the Sparkling Chardon Handicap.

More than most, he will be helped by the mobile dispatch. He has thrived during the week and could go much better than generally expected. All the same, it appears that only bad luck in the running will beat Bonnie’s Chance. The race will start at 8.15 p.m. and will be shown live on TVI.