Gateau upsets in main Addington event

Press, 13 March 1985, Page 38

Gateau upsets in main Addington event

By

G. K. YULE

Betters were dealt a bitter blow when Gateau and Watbro Ford, both at odds of more than 40 to 1, fought out a close finish to the Charles S. Thomas Handicap at Addington Raceway last evening.

Gateau went to the front with 1900 m left and she was pacing well from then on. It was close to the end that Watbro Ford issued a stem challenge, but Gateau held him out by half a neck. Gateau failed to return a dividend six nights earlier, but she failed to secure a clear run and was only about three lengths from the winner, Bobanish, at the line.

Watbro Ford was never all that far from the leaders and he raced right up to his best form when he stormed into second, a length and a half in front of Jovial Jan, another to have her chance. The favourite, Hondo’s Dream, provided the feature of the race when he finished fourth after being more than five seconds from the leader after 200 m. Eddie Cowie waited until inside the final 800 m before making much improvement with Hondo’s Dream, which was timed over this section of the race in 56.45. He will contest the Cheviot Cup on Saturday when, once more, he will no doubt be favourite.

Daisy Duke shaped like an early winner when she finished fifth, ahead of Richina and Watbro Cloud, which showed speed after an early break.

Spry Joker came in for confident support. He was handy enough starting the last 600 m, but was pushed wide and had nothing left over the last 100 m, finishing tenth. Firm Offer advanced in favour for the Trotting Stakes in a few weeks when she outfinished the favourite, Signor Gabrielli, in the Raceway Motors Trot. It was a bold display by the

daughter of Honkin Andy and Fair Alda, which was having only her fourth start for the season. Signor Gabrielli finished almost two lengths in front of his stablemate, the pacemaking Kate’s Pride, with Borrowed Time making up a big stretch of ground to take fourth ahead of Lucky Yank and Regal Rebel. Gold Sovereign, a $1.65 chance, received a perfect run behind Precipitate throughout the Hornby Hardware Pace and came on to win decisively by a short length. Lorfay battled on for third after being well back until the 600 m, with Motu Jodi close by, followed by

Nortap and Even Key. Time Again made no race of the Pall Mall Pace. He settled at the tail of the field while Netherton and

Narobbie sped over the

opening 400 m in 26.55. Even though he was forced wide on the home turn, Time Again was always travelling well and he won easily by a length and a half. Garry’s Last made a bold bid along the rails to take second by half a length from Cher a Dream, with Mickel and Chantilly Scott at the head of the others. Dashing Circle, away from racing since February

1, broke "through for an overdue success in the F.T.C. Friendly Stores Pace. After setting all of the pace, he just lasted to hold out Travel Warrant by a long head. Six lengths back Valase took third, just ahead of Del Haven. Happy Rose followed up a string of minor placings with an overdue win in the Zealand Trotting Trainers and Drivers’ Pace. She drew out over the final stages to beat Andronicus and Cottrill, with Venus Boy tiring to head the others.

Jill Smolensk! drove Local Hanover to an all-the-way victory in the Autolodge Mile, recording the slowish time of 2min 2.8 s for the distance. She held out a strong challenge from Cintique Lass by half a neck, with a length and a half to Macandrew.