Gammalite’s second title

Press, 27 February 1984, Page 29

Gammalite’s second title

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney Gammalite carved himself a bigger place in the history books on Saturday evening when he stormed away with his second InterDominion Pacing Championship at Adelaide’s Globe Derby Park. He won the charge for ascendency over the first hectic few hundred metres, then disposed of challenger after challenger for the next couple of thousand metres to win the sAustl6s,ooo ($NZ231,000) race with apparent ease. None of his rivals could reach him, and while there were plenty of excuses afterwards, none was intended to detract from the style of the winner. Gammalite won by three metres from Thor Lobell, with another three metres back to Bundanoon. Black Irish prevailed over Our Mana in a photo for fourth, and Enterprise was sixth.

Gammalite is now the shortest-priced favourite to have won the race. He is only the second horse to win back-to-back championships (Hondo Grattan was the first) and his winnings now surpass those of the late champion sprinter, Manikato.

Gammalite had gone a good way to having the race won before he was even harnessed on Saturday evening because all his nine rivals for the 2650 m journey had acknowledged he was the one to beat.

They all knew, too, that to take him on early would have ruined their chances. For the Christchurch trainer-driver, Colin De Filippi, defeat was even harder to take because his gallant gelding, Our Mana, had several times tried to move up, only to be caught full in the face by the flying

whips of the rival drivers. “It’s possible he would have done better had he not been struck," De Filippi said afterwards. However, he confirmed that Our Mana would be back for the series in Melbourne next year, a more mature and experienced proposition. Peter Wolfenden, who drove Enterprise home to sixth, said after the race that the horse still had trouble handling the tight bends at Globe Derby Park. “The horse was never in it from the first because he hung so badly," he said. “He was never really a threat." Our Mana’s owner, Roger Barron, summed the race up: “No one was repared to have Gammalite on. “If someone had tried early it might have made a difference, but they would have shot their chances.”

Enterprise’s trainer, Pat Heffernan, said his charge had run “a good enough race,” but said his back row had been a bit too much to give away to Gammalite.

“All the class was in front of him, but really we’re happy just to have made the finals," he said. Most of the field will stage what promises to be a replay of the Grand Final when they clash again in the $40,000 Winfield Cup at the same track this week, although all three New Zealand horses, including Mai Mai, will have Australian drivers. The trio and the two trotters are expected to head home in about a fortnight. Mai Mai, which burned himself out of the Grand Final with a pulling run in the last of the qualifying heats a week ago, made some amends for his behaviour on Saturday evening when he came home second

in one of the two $lO,OOO consolation finals. His driver, Paddy Timmins, raced him near the rear of the field before putting on a surging run to try to catch the winner. Gap Road, winning the battle for second with Victorian Lobellent. The T.A.B. advises that New Zealand turnover for the InterDominion championships at Globe Derby Park, Adelaide on Saturday totalled $112,370. Results (with provisional New Zealand dividends): FIRST PACERS’ CONSOLATION $10,000; 2650 m 1- THE RATTLER (6) It J. Hurley 1 2- DISTANT THUNDER (4) It V. Knight ... 2 3- SMITHDALE LAD (8) It W. Kersley .... 3 Others in finishing order 4-4 Glenleigh Hanover, 7-5 Nicobar, 6- King Toliver, 5-6 Barbarata. 2 l im, Im. Time: 3:21.9. Win: $1.25. Places: $l, $2.85. Quinella: $2.35. PACERS’ GRAND FINAL $165,000; 2650 m 1-2 GAMMALITE (3) It W. Clarke 1 6-6 THOR LOBELL (4) It V. Knight 2 5-5 BUNDANOON (9) It B. Hancock 3 Others in finishing order 4-4 Black Irish, 3-3 Our Mana, 2-1 Enterprise, 8-8 Out For Glory, 7- Willadios, 9-9 Not Before Time, 10-10 Guv’s Pride. 3tim, 2 l im. Time: 3:22.5. Win: $1.60. Places: $1.40, $5, $2.75. Quinella, trifecta: not available. SECOND PACERS’ CONSOLATION $10,000; 2650 m 3-2 GAP ROAD (1) It F. Kersley 1 2-1 MAI MAI (4) It H. Timmins 2 1-3 LOBELLENT (3) It H. McDermott 3 Others in finishing order 5-5 Fearless Quick, 4-6 Otani, 7-7 Carlite, 6-4 Kallawarra King. sm, Im. Time: 3:24.8. Win: $4.40. Places: $1.70, $1.05. Quinella not available.