Slowest ‘three miles’ for H.B. since 1946

Press, 24 June 1985, Page 34

Slowest ‘three miles’ for H.B. since 1946

Special correspondent Wellington It is over a hundred years since the first Hawke’s Bay Steeples was run and although Tarawera’s win was achieved in a tick over seven minutes at Hastings on Saturday the time will not go down as the slowest ’chase in the club’s history. Tarawera’s 7:0.57 was the slowest since 1946 when the distance became three miles for the second time and then later adjusted to 4800 m to account for metrics.

Up to 1903 the worst time was 9:10, credited to Lochade. From 1903 to 1928, the distance was three miles and Jack of Lantern’s 8:55 was the worst.

For all that, given the modern' conditions and tracks, Saturday’s conditions were as -testing as they could have been.

The field was a good one, but Tarawera and five others were the only ones in a field of 12 to finish the course.

Halfway through the day, jockeys, both flat and hurdle riders, described the course as “third day Trentham” conditions.

farawera was right at home in the conditions. He trailed the pacemaker, Fairway Prince, until the final lap (2200 m began. He took control then and was never headed. With 800 m to run he didn’t have much “breathing space” over Battle On, Imajason, Storm, Headford and Cozi Kid. But as obstacles and plain weariness eliminated opponents, Tarawera plugged on and had the measure of Battle On over the last and even the dogged persistence of Headford could bring him no

closer than third at the finish.

A nine-year-old, Tarawera was allowed by his trainer, Scott Hammersley, of Woodville, to miss the Manawatu Steeples in favour of this. The Tarawera team had been waiting, with increasing anxiety, the onrush of winter and after Tarawera’s win in the Melford, his third win in three attempts on the race, the connections watched Farfalla win on a rain-soaked track. But in the end, the decision to wait proved to be the right one. As it happened Hammersley was not there. He was up north ... sunning. In his absence the Tarawera triumph was enjoyed by the part owner, Allan Donald, and his stepdaughter, Maree McKay, a Harnmersley apprentice.

Mr Donald races Tarawera in partnership with his wife, Claudia. From Woodville, the Donalds have a property that adjoins the Harnmersley establishment. Tarawera lives “at home” with Maree McKay and the two come over in the morning before work starts. It’s an arrangement that works pretty well for both parties. McKay is a promising rider with 13 wins to her credit so far. Later in the day she did her best to get Belle Lea home in the Clifton, for apprentices, but had to be content with second behind Delta Tango. Mr Donald has had jumping success with Taupo and Te Manihere, which also won on the flat. He also raced Makai, which gave Maree McKay her first race win.

Eight years ago he went

to $2OOO to buy Tarawera at the Waikato sales. Tarawera has not raced that much. His 25 starts have brought five wins and with nine placings his earnings stand at $25,315. His other win came a couple of years back in the Hastings Steeples. Now Tarawera will be aimed toward the Steel and Tube Wellington Steeples in two weeks time. The connections, as well, hoping for rain in the South Island, will make an attempt on the National at Riccarton. Tarawera was ridden to win by Paul (“Pup”) Goss, a 21-year-old based in ( Palmerston North. Goss has ridden Tarawera in all his races and the jockey’s particular attachment to the horse was demonstrated when the connections felt, a couple of years back, that no rider was able to replace him in a Manawatu ’chase when Goss was hurt earlier in the day. It was a debate that had an ending in the judicial room that day. When Goss comes to Trentham he could find his loyalties stretched, but for a different reason. Manawatu 'chase winner, Farfalla, is trained by Clem Goss, Paul’s dad.

Goss has a good record over fences with some 20 of his 90 odd wins being achieved in this manner. The bay ’chase was his first in the race, but not his best. That honour belongs to King Carl, which during an Australian campaign collected $20,000 in Melbourne. Tarawera hardly put a foot wrong and the same could be said for TrudyArcher’s mount, Battle On. That runner was midfield early, but closed to be right

in contention over the final lap. The eight-year-old fought hard to the finish. Headford’s effort was hard to fault. He was under pressure with 800 m to run and fought hard right to the line.

“He’s no top-liner,” the rider, Stephen Jenkins, said “but he keeps knocking away.” The winning margin was two lengths. Headford was eight back third and a dozen in front of Wanganui winner, Sonic Symbol, Storm and Foaming Henri, the only others to finish. Fairway Prince, the early pacemaker, and Cozi Kid did not complete the course. They came out on the last lap. Both jumped well early, particularly Fairway Prince, but in the testing conditions they were tired a long way out. Royal Mint went at the double the second time. He punched out a panel and as he tumbled he took Borrowdale.

Imajason went out at the second to last fence. The mare was running third but had put in a faulty leap two fences earlier. She may have paid a dividend but she was under pressure. Greek Boy’s good fortune vanished altogether. He dipped after taking the double the first time, and, trying to regain his balance, knocked against another runner.

The horse dipped and some metres after the fence dislodged the rider, Ross Thompson. Greek Boy carried on for a round jumping, but then hurt himself further when he tried to escape the confines of the Hastings racecourse.