Second Owens Trophy for Bridge Player

Press, 27 June 1983, Page 26

Second Owens Trophy for Bridge Player

Special correspondent Auckland Bridge Player came up with his best form again at Tauranga on Saturday and his connections will be hoping for something of the same from him at Avondale next week-end. A late fee of $5O last week got Bridge Player into the $30,000 New Zealand Handicap at Avondale. He was given 52.5 kg in that one, but a rehandicap for his win in the Owens Trophy at Tauranga has brought his weight to 54kg. A five-year-old gelding, from Woodville, Bridge Player won the Owens Trophy last year and ran next in the Levin Winter Cup, for sixth. He was back north for a good third in the Taumarunui Cup, then failed on a four-race spring campaign in Melbourne. Since returning from a summer lay-off he has had just four starts, a sprint at Woodville then middle-dis-tances at Wanganui and Ellerslie having preceded his race at Tauranga. A win in the Woodville sprint indicated that Bridge Player was as good as ever and, with a third at Ellerslie, behind Cullimore and Our Charlie, he became one of the early favourities for the Owens Trophy, the entry of Deb’s Mate, Cullimore and suchlike notwithstanding. Bridge Player had only half a head to spare winning the Owens Trophy last year and it was close again this time when he worried the lead from Deb’s Mate in a hard-fought last 150 m. There was a little less than a length in it and, except for the clever riding of Bridge Player by Noel Harris, the result must have gone the other way. After being one of the slower beginners, Bridge Player was back just ahead of the tail-enders when halfway through the 2100 m. Soon afterwards Harris started to send his mount forward, somehow remaining on the inside yet steadily picking up lengths on the leaders. With Deb’s Mate shifting out slightly as he led them around the last bend, Bridge Player was able to continue his run and join the pacemaker early in the home straight. As game as he is, always, Deb’s Mate did not give in readily, but it was apparent once they were into the last 100 m that Bridge Player had the measure of the other horse. When Harris worked a little harder on him he drew out something extra to win nicely. The first two had it to themselves. Little Vic being

three lengths away when hanging on to third from Another Phenomenon. There was a further break to Wren’s Pride (fifth) and another to Cullimore (sixth). Bridge Player, Deb’s Mate and Another Phenomenon were the best backed of the 15 runners in that order, so Another Phenomenon proved expensive. His prospects did not look bright when his rider, David Peake, urged him a bit to keep up with some 600 m to go. He battled on gamely, though, the effort not too bad for his first in such company. Cullimore was too far out of his ground altogether, 800 m out, to have much chance. Wetter going would have suited him. He will very likely do better at Avondale if the conditions are more his way.