N.Z.-bred mare wins amid doping probe

Press, 31 January 1984, Page 27

N.Z.-bred mare wins amid doping probe

NZPA-AAP Brisbane The consistent New Zea-land-bred mare, Aquitaine, broke into open class with a storming win in the Australia Day Handicap (1600 m the feature event at Eagle Farm, Brisbane, yesterday. Her trainer, Eric Kirwan, said the mare was one of the unluckiest horses he has been associated with and thoroughly deserved her win yesterday. A $120,000 purchase at the 1981 National Yearling Sales, the daughter of Zamazaan and the outstanding Sovereign Edition race mare, Sheralee, has now

won five races and been placed 10 times in 21 starts. Aquitaine (9-2) dwelt at the start of yesterday’s race but made up many lengths from the turn and swept to the lead in the straight. The mare is raced by a syndicate which includes several international rugby players. Aquitaine was one of two horses allegedly “got at” at the Doomben meeting on January 7. The horses were late scratchings and returned positive swabs. Their trainers raised fears of a nobbling gang

operating in Brisbane when they could give no reason for the horses’ conditions. Those fears were enhanced yesterday when the hot favourite, Get To The Point, was a shock failure in a maiden event.

Her trainer, Neil Strong, said the horse had staggered on its way to be hosed down after the race and lost control of its hind quarters. He said Get To The Point was usually an active filly but had been very placid after the race. Stewards sent Get To The Point to be swabbed but refused to comment further.