My Axeman gallant in defeat

Press, 11 July 1983, Page 30

My Axeman gallant in defeat

NZPA Sydney Weight beat a gallant My Axeman in a sensational finish to the $175,000 Fourex Cup in Brisbane on Saturday. The big New Zealand gelding, stepping up to 2200 m after his triumph over 1350 m in the Rothmans Hundred Thousand last week, led nearly all the way ■ but was beaten on the post by the lightest-weighted horse in the field, Lord Seaman. The margin was only a short neck, and the trainer, Kevin Griffin, said that the extra weight his charge carried made all the difference. The slow pace left the New Zealand galloper stranded at the front, pulling hard on the slow track. Into the straight, My Axeman cleared out and looked to have his challengers beaten when Lord Seaman burst out of the ruck and stormed home.

My Axeman refused to give up and came back at the Australian several times down the straight before Lord Seaman finally prevailed. My Axeman carried 58kg, Lord Seaman a mere 46.5.

Streaking home after the first two was dual Prime Minister’s Cup winner, Avitt.

The favourite, Prince Majestic, failed to make a showing, coming home fifth behind another New Zealander, Rose and Thistle. Griffin had been in his criticism last wfeek of the weight My Axeman was

asked to carry in Queensland’s richest race, and bemoaned the fact that Doomben was closed to final trackwork on Thursday. Both were factors in My Axeman’s Performance, he said. The Brisbane Amateur Turf Club’s handicapper, Roy Beckerman, gave the New Zealander an extra 2.5 kg after his emphatic win in the Rothmans Hundred Thousand, provoking an angry response from Griffin who pointed out that the Rothmans was merely a sprint. T.A.B. Codes: AUST, FY GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE $60,000; 5000 m 1- DIWALI 2 62.5 G. Hill 1 3- HEADFORD TOWN 4 60.5 S. Jenkins ... 2 7-7 A CHARA’S LAD 8 60.0 R. Challis ... 3 Others in finishing order: 4-2 Mr Hickey, 2-4 Learmonth Lad (fell), 6-6 Layby (fell), 5-5 Nickjebe (lost rider). 30 len, 50 len. Time: 5:55.8. Win: $2.05. Places: $2.35, $1.85. Quinella: $9.65. FOUREX CUP $150,000; 2200 m 4- LORD SEAMAN 19 46.5 M. Logue. ... 1 2- MY AXEMAN 2 58 W. Robinson 2 9-9 AVITT 6 52.5 K. Russell 3 Others in finishing order 3-1 Rose And Thistle, 1-8 Prince Majestic, 7-4 Double You Em, 14-15 Sovereign Chief, 8-7 Claymore Boy, 5-2 Bound To Honour, 15-13 Gelsomino, 10-10 Bidston Hill, 16-16 Smokey Babylon, 12-11 Noble Comment, 17-17 Sovereign Chick, 13-12 Lancelotto, 6-6 Bencarra, 11-14 Just For Tristram. Short nk, 2¥a len. Time: 2:19.6. Win: $9.35. Places: $2.80, $2.70, $5.20. Quinella: $34.75.