Bionic Raider could bring trainer change of luck

Press, 31 May 1985, Page 22

Bionic Raider could bring trainer change of luck

By

G. K. YULE

The Lauriston trainer, Alistair Kerslake, has enjoyed great success in restricted age events with descendants of the great foundation mare, Tondeleyo, but victory has eluded him in the Ashburton Trotting Club’s major classic.

Bionic Raider could bring him a welcome change of luck in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes and R. A. Burnett Memorial today. The son of Golden Fulla and Bionic Star has shown great potential as a stayer and the 2400 m in this event should allow him to use his great powers to advantage. He has had 11 starts for

one win, three seconds, three fourths and two fifths. He returned a splendid trial for this race when he fought on to run Beau Du Jour to half a length in the Stan Andrews Stakes at Addington Raceway last Friday. That run should have brought him to his peak for today’s

test. Beau Du Jour, trained at Brightwater by Brian Hill, has improved noticeably in the past few weeks. He, too, is well endowed with stamina, as he showed when he held off all challengers last Friday. He will be among the favourites for the event and should give his admirers a good run.

Uncle Jasper must again be considered in spite of his second-line draw and his rather disappointing fifth last Friday. However, he could have had an easy time since winning the Sires’ Produce Stakes Final on May 10 and could be all the better for the race. Borderline, runner-up to Uncle Jasper in the $24,000

final on May 10, has drawn well and could take advantage of this by securing a grand trial. He, too, should master the extra distance without too much trouble. Gorky Park, so impressive when he qualified on the course last week, Consolation, Turborg, Sir Alba and Free’s Best are others expected to race prominently.