Derby Stakes marred by sickening smash

Press, 23 April 1984, Page 18

Derby Stakes marred by sickening smash

By

G. K. YULE

A sickening smash at the end of 250 m affected all but five of the runners in the John Brandon New Zealand Derby Stakes at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday. Three horsemen were sent to hospital for observation, and the majority of the nine horses involved in the smash escaped without serious injury. Naval Officer, the most loosely assessed horse in the field with but one win to his credit, squeezed through inside the fallen horses and was lucky to escape being knocked out of contention. He waited until the final 200 m before challenging and he gathered in the pacemaker, Josephine Bret, just short of the line, coming on

to win handily by two lengths. Josephine Bret held second by a neck from Paleface Tryax, with a length and three-quarters to Crowhurst and a length to the only other finisher, Lord Louie. The driverless Ruthless caused problems when he raced in among the five horses left in the race, but he was dropping out at the straight entrance. Naval Officer is raced by Messrs Brian O’Meara, of Invercargill, and Ray Taiaroa and Dave Edwards, of Oamaru, who paid $3500 for him as a yearling from the Invercargill breeder, Mr Grant Sim.

Naval Officer was originally trained by Gavin Hampton and later by Allan Devery. He joined Michael

de Filippi’s Prebbleton team a few days before the start of the John Brandon Triple Crown Series. He finished fifth in the first two legs of the series, but was practically neglected in the betting, paying $29.40 for a win.

Naval Officer is one of the first crop of foals sired by the Meadow Skipper horse, Midshipman, which was imported by Nevele R. Stud, Prebbleton. He has been at several studs and next season will go north to Colin Chandler’s property at Morrinsville. Naval Officer is out of Smooth Robyn, a descendant of Polly, founder of the family which has produced such fine classic winners as Testing Times, Gold Bar, Lord Module, Royal Nibble, Milford Mary and Imperial

Way. Midshipman also sired the third horse, Paleface Tryax, which earned $7OOO for his placing. King Alba broke some 250 m before the starting point and later he was involved in the smash, losing his driver, John Langdon. The smash was caused- by Liquid Lightning jumping a shadow when predominently placed and just as Richard Brosnan was easing him in behind Josephine Bret.

In an instant Tucker’s Rule, Freightman, Roydon Glen, Slugger, Ruthless and Kanturk were down and in a tangle, with Logan Dryham falling just inside Naval Officer and King Alba going over the top of him.

The field had to race twice round the fallen

horses, a factor which contributed to the slowish time of 3min 22.55.

Also, with a round to go an inevitable dog appeared on the scene, and appeared capable of causing more havoc to the remaining five runners.

“It’s sad to have won the race like that. The smash knocked a lot of fun out of it,” said Brian O’Meara, one of Naval Officer’s owners at the presentation ceremony.

Plans for Naval Officer’s racing during the remainder of the season are unlikely to be decided until after the week-end, according to de Filippi. Colin de Filippi, Charlie Hunter and Barry Clark were taken to hospital for treatment. Clark and de Filippi were discharged on Saturday evening.