Barabbas too good in Trotting Stakes

Press, 25 May 1985, Page 28

Barabbas too good in Trotting Stakes

Barabbas had little difficulty justifying favouritism in the New Zealand Two-year-old Trotting Stakes and he won handily from the fast-finishing Fergy’s Rocket. Kerry O’Reilly had the favourite handily placed while Royal Di set a sound pace from Game Reb. He ran no risk of becoming pocketed and ranged up to take the lead more than

200 m out. Near the end Fergy’s Rocket came fast, but Barabbas had the result in safe keeping and won by a length and a quarter. Yarrabee Pride, which broke in the run-up soon worked into a fairly handy position and fought on for third, ahead of Natural Dream, which came from far back in the early stages. Royal Di battled away for a

good fifth, ahead of Game Reb, which could not work clear in the straight and broke short of the line. A colt by Tuft, a consistent sire of trotters and now in the twilight of his stud career, Barabbas is out of a moderate performer in Live Twice, a member of the family which has produced a host of top winners for Mr Bill Doyle, of Leeston, and his daughters, one of whom, Mrs Helen Pope, of Ashburton, is a part-owner of the winner. She races him in partnership with an Ashburton veterinary surgeon, Mr Graham Shearman, who also trains him. Neil Hamilton was unable to add to his total number of points in the Maurice Holmes Trophy competition, finishing sixth with Reiver in the Canterbury Rugby League Pace. However, his main rival, Anthony Butt, managed only fourth with Apache Banner and he finished with 18 points, one fewer than Hamilton. Leo O’Reilly, who has been on the injured list for some weeks, finished third with 14 points, one more than David Butt. Greg Tait had Timandra well back in the field for most of the way and he secured a splendid run through along the rails to outstay Supreme Chance and Macandrew, with

Apache Banner not far away. Horizon, a colt by Lordship trained by Colin de Filippi for Mr John Seaton, of Courtenay, probably earned a start in the Queen’s Birthday Stakes at Ashburton on June 3 when he won the Marque Vue Gold Label Pace. He moved off the rails near the 500 m and got up to shade Motu Jodi, winning much more easily than the official margin of half a neck would suggest. Snow Prince, which made the pace, held on for third, clear of Kiri Rue, which was well back early, and El Victory. Romerez moved into a challenging position at the straight entrance in the Firestone Eurosteel Handicap and held off a determined challenge from Lord Seaton by a length. Boy Castleton, which started from 30m, did well for third, shading Firm Offer, which tried to lead for the last 1800 m, with a gap to Lay Off. Select Wave again Select Wave gained her third successive win in style in the Max Harvey Pace at' Addington Raceway last evening. She settled near the tail of the field, but gained a good run up three wide with cover from the 900 m. Once into the straight she was soon in control and won handily by three-quar-ters of a length from Travel Warrant, which had every chance. Tricotine dashed into third from a good way back, taking that placing narrowly from Keepsake, with Helter Skelter at the head of the others.