Norton bursts into Cup favour with fine win

Press, 2 November 1984, Page 36

Norton bursts into Cup favour with fine win

By G. K. YULE

Norton burst into favour for the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday with a splendid win at the Cup trials held at Addington Raceway last evening. Norton raced to the lead from Hilarious Guest with about 1200 m left and he held out a strong late challenge from Camelot by three-quarters of a length. Regal Maina was only half a length back, third, a head in front of Hilarious Guest.

Another length back Stampede finished well for fifth, shading Mighty Me, Our Mana, King Aurea, Melton Monarch and Dryden Amanda, with length intervals to Dillon Dale, Diamond Moose and Hands Down.

The winner took 3min 23.5 s for the 2600 m, the last 800 m in 58.25, with the final 400 m in 28.95.

Dillon Dale and Diamond Moose broke at the start, while Our Mana and Stampede were checked. Dillon Dale broke badly at the end of 200 m. Norton’s run was an encouraging Cup trial, but it

was no more impressive than that of Camelot, which settled in mid-field and gave the pacemaker a handy start from the home turn. Camelot was not hard driven and hr cut quickly into the advantage of Norton.

Regal Maina’s effort was a good one for a C 8 horse. It is probable he will race only on the first day of the Cup meeting before travelling north to contest the $20,000 Franklin Cup and other races at Alexandra Park.

Our Mana put plenty of dash into his effort after his early setback. He did not move off the rails and looked to have plenty in reserve at the line. He did his Cup chances no harm. While he finished last, the performance of Hands Down was as impressive as any. He coasted along at the taU of the field and was not E'ied at any stage. He hed within six lengths of the winner and must have gone no worse than 57s for his final 800 m. He will by no means be out of the Cup in spite of his handicap of 10m.

Montrose provided a highlight when she won the event for C 5 to C 7 pacers. She took the lead with 1900 m left in the mobile start event and won with ease by two lengths and a half from Helter Skelter and John Paul. She returned 3min 24.9 s for the 2600 m, the last 800 m in 59.65, and the final 400 m in 29.65.

Sir Castleton, which failed at Alexandra Park on October 20, showed the form most expect of him at Addington when he won the Sydenham Furnishings Handicap. Sir Castleton got away splendidly from 30m, with Doody Townley improving along the inner with him. He moved him off the rails before the straight entrance and, without being pushed, he won by half a head from Novander, which should be a winner in intermediate events at the Cup meeting. Ranger Globe shaped like an improver when he fought on for third a head away, a length in front of Noble Advice and Forest Pride.

Basil Dean dismayed his admirers when he broke

after 400 m. Sir Castleton trotted the 2600 m in the respectable time of 3min 255. The last 800 m off the front took Imin Is, with the final 400 m in 30.15. Sir Castleton was timed over his last 800 m in 58.85.

Armorel, Globe Tour, Simon Katz, Happy Scott, Ashley Globe, Master Mood and Spangled Lord were among those to impress in supporting events. Results:—

Metropolitan Club Handicap, $1000; CO; 2600 m- Mickel ft, L. O’Reilly, 1; Hindyn It, J. Carmichael, 2; Walter Scott It, B. Court, 3. Fifteen started. Nk, 3 len, len. King’s Club fourth. Time: 3:25.9.

Peter Cocks, Ltd, Handicap, four-year-olds; 2600 m.— Happy Scott It, B. O’Carroll, 1; Elkedra It, C. de Filippi, 2; Valase 10, M. Rennie, 3. Fifteen started. % len, hd, hd. Kotare Scott fourth. Time: ■ 3:30.9.

Clever Innocence Handicap, $1000; CO; 2600 m- Keep Trying It, Jill Smolensk!, 1; First Play It, J. Carmichael, 2; Light Bay It, A. Butt, 3. Fifteen started. 2 len, % len, hd. Bay Trick fourth. Time: 3:29.6.

Paul Renwick Joinery Handicap, C 3; trotters; 2600 m—- . Tour It, L. Bebbington,

1; Racey Tracey, It, R. Affeld, 2; Zebec 10, A. Bell, 3. Eleven started. . Nose, 2 len, nk. Simon Katz fourth. Time: 3:32.

Alex Levy Handicap, C 3; mobile; 2600 m.— Armorel It, P. Jones, 1; Spangled Lord, It, M. Perriton, 2; Jovial Jan, It, R. Alfeld, 3. Fourteen started. 4 len, hd, len. Ballochmyle fourth. Time: 3:26.8.

Slade Engineering Handicap, three-year-olds; 2600 m.— Ashley Globe It, I. Cameron, 1; Danville It, J. Dalgety, 2; Kotare Pewter It, R. Negus, 3. Nine started. % hd, hd, hd. Tact Lobell fourth. Time: 3:35.7.

Sydenham Furnishings Handicap, C 5; trotters; 2600 m—- . Castleton 30, D. Townley, 1; Novander It, A. Butt, 2; Ranger Globe It, M. de Filippi, 3. Fifteen started. % hd, ha, len. Noble Advice fourth. Time: 3:25.

T. W. Husband Free-for-all; C 8; 2600 - Norton It, K. O’Reilly, 1; Camelot It, R. Butt, 2; Regal Maina It, L. O’Reilly, 3. Thirteen started. % len, % len, hd. Hilarious Guest fourth. Time: 3:23.5. Crowes Service Station Pace; C 5 to C 7, mobile; 2600 m.— Montrose It, I. Cameron, 1; Helter Skelter It, J. Smolenski, 2; John Paul It, P. Jones, 3. Ten started. 2¥a len, len, hd. Rosewood Dream fourth. Time: 3:24.9.