Trainer perplexed after Auckland first leg

Press, 31 January 1984, Page 26

Trainer perplexed after Auckland first leg

Special correspondent Auckland The outcome of the first leg of the T.A.B. double at Ellerslie yesterday left the Cambridge trainer, Alan Jones, more than a trifle perplexed even though his stable provided the winner and fourth place-getter. Jones had Azaking and Sahiwal in the Wattie Industries Handicap and, though remarking as the horses went to the post that Sahiwal had been working like a winner, he was inclined to favour more the chance of Azaking. The track, after some steady rain, could, so he thought, trouble Sahiwal whereas Azaking had already raced well enough on soft footing. As it happened Sahiwal

won, with Azaking fourth, and she covered the 1575 metres in Imin 33.75, which represents something better than lmin 36s for 1600, a smart gallop anywhere. Sahiwal had failed the time before this, in pretty hot company, though against Clear Gold and the rest in the Flag Inns Trophy at Ellerslie on January 3. However, she won the Rose Town Handicap at Te Awamutu on December 24 three starts back. Her record is sound — seven wins from 33 starts, and a good handful of minor platings. Sahiwal began quickly in the Wattie Industries Handicap to trail the pacemaker, Rose of Tralee. With Rose of Tralee quick to yield, Sahiwal was left in front

almost as soon as they were into the home straight. towards the finish Sahiwal began to tire and she was all but run down by Ben Kazam and Andaman. Azaking was a length further away, making much ground because he was near last around the home turn. The runner which had least luck, though, was the hot favourite, Andaman. Andaman was, as usual, a bit slow during the early stages. Into the last 250 m he was back, still, with the tailenders yet he would have won except for getting up on the heels of Ben Kazam. The check, with about 150 m to go, cost Andaman a length or more. He was on what looked like a winning run. Backers of the favourite

suffered another reverse when Eridick managed only second place in the second leg, the AHI Handicap. After beginning well enough, then settling for a bit just in behind the leaders, Eridick somehow lost his position, drifting on the inside from around the 900 m to seem hopelessly placed near the back of the field on the home turn.

Reggae, with a 3kg allowance through being ridden by the apprentice, Trevor Bau, travelled freely with the pacemaking and he lasted to hold off Eridick and Susi Bear by nearing a length. High Regards, the next best backed to Eridick, made ground for fourth and had Ruvain, Blue Dee and Quibble alongside.