Enterprise eclipses rivals at Oamaru

Press, 23 October 1984, Page 40

Enterprise eclipses rivals at Oamaru

Special correspondent Dunedin Enterprise, aided by a dream rails run, eclipsed his rivals in the Hannon Memorial Free-for-all at the Oamaru Trotting Club’s meeting yesterday. Enterprise began brilliantly in contrast to his two previous races and he made the pace until the 1200 m, where Borana improved from back in the field to reach the front. Borana moyed off the fence entering the straight at the 300 m and Enterprise dashed through on the inside to score by five lengths. His time of 3min 23s for the 2600 metres in coolish conditions on a track deadened by rain was a useful effort. It compared with the race and track record of 3min 19.4 s set last year by Derby. Enterprise will have his next start in the New Zealand Cup in two weeks. “I had thought about giving him a run at trials before the cup but I decided on his programme when I raced him at Addington last Friday. I was really pleased he began so well , today. I gave him some practice at

home the last two days,” said Pat Heffernan, who trains Enterprise and races the Lordship—Universo six-year-old entire in partnership with , his wife, Catherine. . •. ? Heffernan had produced minor placegetters in the previous three Hannon Memorials with Shand the driver each time. Enterprise ran third to Derby and Ansett last year and fourth in 1982. Royal Illusion finished second to Idolmite in 1981. .. Enterprise has now won $200,910 in stakes, the result of 15 wins and 25 placings in 76 stakes; : •;.? a? •’ Hands Down stayed on; well for second, ■ “He has lost a bit of his speed but still has his stamina,” said his driver, Peter Jones. '■ ■ ; : ; ■ Hands Down started from the unruly position not barrier No. 4, as drawn. The club had overlooked that he was unruly from a standing start. - . . He was back in tenth place early then improved three wide to second on the outer at the 800 m. He was forced wide when Borana ran out entering the straight.

Our Mana ran a useful race for third, half a length back. He improved from the middle of the field at the 1400 m and secured a trail when Hands Down moved up. Freightman went well for a C 8 horse to finish fourth, another half length back. Norton, the favourite, was a lack-lustre eighth. “Just a fair run,” said his driver, Kerry O’Reilly, who was not of the opinion that the horse has trained off since early in the season. Double Cove ran on for sixth after beginning slowly. Supreme Ruler’s driver, Richard Brosnan, was . not properly in the sulky when the field was dispatched and the horse then tangled. Derby also broke early. George Shand was questioned by the stipendiary stewart regarding his driving of Borana oyer the final 400 m. Shand said the horse was racing out from the fence and under pressure moved out as he has been prone to do in his recent races. Shand said that the horse would have a change from his regular rubber bit in an attempt to rectify the problem.