Ian Mac wins twice in six days

Press, 7 February 1985, Page 30

Ian Mac wins twice in six days

Special correspondent Dunedin lan Mac continued his good two-year-old form when he decisively won the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes at the Oamaru Trotting Club’s meeting yesterday. “He is the best horse I have had,” said Bill McDonald, his Kaiapoi trainer, who has held a licence for some 25 years. McDonald races the El Patron — Star Nurse colt with his sister, Jessie Alabone, of Christchurch. They bred the youngster. He is the second foal of Star Nurse, by Good Chase from Morano Star, by Morano from Starlet by Dillon Hall.

McDonald tried Star Nurse as a two-year-old but she was of no account so he put her to stud. The colt’s name is a combination of McDonald’s name and that of lan Cameron, the Rangiora horseman

who has been a long-time friend.

lan Mac, which also won at Addington on Friday evening, began well for Kevin Townley, who took him to the front after 500 m of the 2000 m contest. Lord Grace improved from eighth to join lan Mac at the 850 m. lan Mac always had the edge and won by half a length from Lord Grace, with a length and three-quarters to Save the Rakaia, which led out, then trailed.

Lew Foy was a clear-cut winner of the Oamaru Cup. He was steadied to be last of the main bunch early, then improved three wide from the 1300 m. He was in front at the 900 m, shook off a challenge from Adios Trick at the 400 m and won by a length and a quarter from the fast finishing Robin’s Pride. Adios Trick, which followed Lew Foy up, faded slightly to third. Loyal Step dictated the

terms in the Hi-Way Handicap and won untested by two lengths from Trix’s Chance, which improved a solid patch of form with a stout finish for second.

Poor Boy, which trailed Loyal Step, was third ahead of Black Soil, which had little room over the closing stages after racing three back on the inner. Sheltoe, the favourite, was checked early. Gold and Black set a track record for 2000 m (mobile) of 2min 31.6 s when she outfinished Lorfay in the Allen Pace.

The previous best was 2min 32.4 s set by Tarport Grattan last year. Peter Shand, the Washdyke horseman, drove three winners, Torpast, Alba Longa and Rosie Mary. Alba Longa was promoted from second after Dundee Pete was disqualified. Dundee Pete left stride just short of the line after staging a big run from far back.