Nardinski holds on for narrow win in classic

Press, 1 April 1985, Page 35

Nardinski holds on for narrow win in classic

By

G. K. YULE

Nardinski, taking advantage of a reasonable barrier draw, lasted to shade Placid Victor, Loveridge, Greg Patron and Kev’s Choice in a tight finish to the John Brandon Flying Pace at Addington Raceway on Saturday. Placid Victor, Loveridge and Nardinski finished in that order in the first leg of the John Brandon Triple Crown Series at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting last Wednesday, and everything points to them being three of the top chances once more in the final leg on Saturday. Jack Smolensk! set a solid pace throughout with Nardinski on Saturday and he sprinted his last 800 m in

58.25, giving those far back in the field little chance of getting near him over the final stages. The last 400 m took 29.65, with the full 2000 m in 2min 325.

But for pacing very roughly on two occasions in the run home, Placid Victor might have gone closer to keeping his hopes of $102,500 in bonus payments for going unbeaten through the series. He was very “rocky” 200 m out and again closer to the end he looked most uncomfortable. As it was there was much to enthuse over about his effort. He will be a much harder horse to beat over 2600 m on Saturday. Loveridge went another splendid race from the second line, racing up three wide from the 1000 m and giving nothing away in the run home.

Grreg Patron could have been a shade unlucky not to have returned a dividend. He was disappointed for a rails run over the last 100 m and finished full of running. Another northerner, Kev’s Choice, gave nothing away after sprinting up to join Nardinski on the home turn.

Samson and Master Mood headed the others, with Frederick never getting into a challenging position after dropping back from the start, which was a deplorable one with the horses appearing to be in four or five lines.

Enterprise probably earned favouritism for the $30,000 Lion Brown Easter Cup on Saturday when he shaded Premiership at the end of the Steinlager Handicap.

Enterprise responded well for Peter Shand over the final 100 m and won by half a neck from Premiership, which came to the end of what looked likely to be a winning run from 25m out. Borana, which drifted early, came on splendidly for third, shading Lyndon Robert, which led early, and Hands Down, which received a rocky run over the final 800 m. Camelot went a useful race for sixth, ahead of Spry Joker, which was never in the clear. Soxygen, after being checked early, made up much ground to head the others.

The second favourite, Norton, improved to third at the straight entrance, but quickly began to drop away to finish last.