Basil Dean shatters national record

Press, 23 April 1984, Page 18

Basil Dean shatters national record

By

G. K. YULE

The “scorched earth” policy adopted by the Lauriston horseman, Kerry O’Reilly, saw Basil Dean return the fastest time ever by a pacer or a trotter for 2600 m in the Firestone Eurosteel Trotting Championship at Addington Raceway on Saturday. Basil Dean recorded 3min 15.3 s for the mobile 2600 m, well inside the previous best by a trotter, 3min 19.5 s credited to Sir Castleton, runner-up in Saturday’s race. It also bettered the national record of 3min 15.4 s by a pacer, shared by Steel Jaw and Bonnie’s Chance. Basil Dean has now won 15 races and $75,210 for his Ashburton trainer, Bob Jamison, who races him in partnership with Tim Newton.

“I thought I’d make the others work a bit and if they could catch us then they deserved to win,” said Basil Dean’s driver. “He pulled half a shoe off a hind foot in his preliminary and that might have been why he looked to be trotting a bit roughly behind. Basil Dean began splendidly from wide out and he was quickly in front, with Sir Castleton handy enough all the way. O’Reilly did not have to drive Basil Dean out to win by a length and a half after being timed over his last 2400 m in 3min 2.45, the last 800 m in 59.25, and the final 400 m in 29.65. Basil Dean will race next at Forbury Park on Saturday night, after which he will be prepared for the Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park next month. Kerry O’Reilly completed a notable double for the day

when he drove Norton, trained by his father, to win the Easter Cup by a long head from the northern challenger, Ben. Then there was more than a length to Direct Kiwi, which held third by half a head from the favourite, Hands Down, which did not produce the dash which marked his win a week earlier, Norton led for the last 2500 m and paced his final 800 m in 58.45. He has now had 27 starts for 13 wins, 10 placings and $73,730 in stakes. Delightful Lady was backed down the 3/5 favourite, but seventh was the best she could manage after receiving a perfect run. She looked a serious threat 200 m out, but could not carry her final sprint any further and Gary Hillier did not knock her about when it became obvious that she

could not get into the money. Samson gained his second win when he led throughout the Welcome Stakes, lasting it out by a nose from Nardinski, with three lengths back to the southerner, Malaz, which had his chance. Then there was an even longer break to Good to Win, which received a shocking run and was late working clear, and Loveridge.

The favourite, Master Mood, missed the start and was never a danger, finishing seventh. Samson, trained at Hinds by Ted Lowe, who races him in partnership with Mr Brian Sampson, of Ashburton, will race next in the Sires Produce Stakes at Addington early next month, to be followed by the Sapling Stakes at Ashburton early in June.