Setbacks fail to stop Mac’s Gamble

Press, 31 January 1984, Page 26

Setbacks fail to stop Mac’s Gamble

Speciai correspondent Auckland

Mac’s Gamble added the New Zealand, record for 1400 m to his achievements with his win at Avondale on Saturday when the wonder, really, is his being able to show form of any account.

The gelding, now eight years old, has suffered many of the worst things that can happen to a thoroughbred. For a time Mac’s Gamble was troubled by getting down on his heels. Shoulder soreness once came against hime, he suffered heart trouble, and just lately had to have an abscess lanced.

The abscess in a jaw developed after Mac’s Gamble won the 1200 m Wrightson Handicap on the first day of the Wellington Cup meeting. For all that he nearly won again two days later, beaten a nose by Camille.

In the Wrightson Handicap Mac’s Gamble returned a very quick Imin 8.455. Camille turned in a New

Zealand record at Imin 21.76 s when beating him in the Visitor’s Handicap and in the York Cup at Avondale on Saturday Mac’s Gamble reduced the time by ,355.

The previous best time at Avondale for 1400 m was Imin 22.15 s by Silver Wraith nearly six years ago. Mac’s Gamble made an auspicious start to racing, as a three-year-old when winning in each of his first three attempts. Prepared then by Roger McGlade, he continued his good form when trained, next, by Fred Beguely then by Jim and Tony Gillies, at Matamata. Once recovered, himself, from a heart ailment, the owner-breeder of Mac’s Gamble, Mr Mac Phillips, took over the training of his horse last spring at Mangakino and he is entitled to some pride in the outcome.

From his dozen or so starts meanwhile Mac’s Gamble has managed three wins and four second placings. With the topweight of

57kg, Mac’s Gamble had to give weight all round in the York Cup and B.skg to the very smart runner-up, Ebony Belle, so his performance was indeed notable.

Debbie Healey, who has become Mac’s Gamble’s regular rider, quickly had him nicely placed trailing Ebony Belle and the other leader, Final Affair.

After they tussled hard, Final Affair wrested the lead from Ebony Belle and seemed likely to win. But taken out towards the centre of the track, with some 250 m to go, Mac’s Gamble unwound a very strong run which had him in front with time to win by a length. Ebony Belle came back gamely to regain second place from Final Affair, and Janet’s Boy ran on, close at hand, to take fourth from Flying Dream and Penycae. Romantic Bay, on top of a win at Pukekohe, came in with the tailenders but there was an excuse for her. She lost lengths in the first 100 m.