Mr Illusion to miss Doomben feature

Press, 6 July 1985, Page 26

Mr Illusion to miss Doomben feature

NZPA Sydney The New Zealand sprinter, Mr Illusion, has joined the defectors from the sAustlBo,ooo ($NZ246,600) Rothmans 100,000 at Doomben today after his trainer, Peter McKenzie, gave up the fight to get him ready in time. Earlier the Riccarton filly Canterbury Belle, was pulled out of the 1350 m Rothmans because of a leg injury, leaving Atrapar,' Final Affair and Our Buddy, to represent New Zealand in the glamour sprint. Atrapar was yesterday still sharing equal favouritism with the West Australian, Coal Pak. McKenzie said he had decided that unless Mr Illusion improved dramatically over the next fortnight he would take him home and freshen him up for the Melbourne spring carnival. While McKenzie has had his problems, and Canterbury Belle’s trainer, Dave Kerr, reflected on the misfortune that forced him to scratch the flying filly after she pulled a thigh muscle in a final training run on Thursday, Bill Calder has been keeping his fingers crossed as he had prepared

Atrapar for the first leg of the Bernborough double. Calder said yesterday that his five-year-old Adios II gelding had done well in training and he was looking forward to a big showing from him in the Rothmans. Atrapar’s wide barrier draw, he said, could be a blessing in disguise. “The distance might be just a little short for him, so starting out wide might help,” he said. Calder, noting Atrapar had been blocked for runs in both the Elders and the Tourist Minister’s Cup, where he had produced late runs to flash home fourth and third respectively, said that this time Atrapar and his jockey, Maurice Campbell, might opt to go round the field in the run to the line, missing the trouble that has dogged him before. The trainer said the horse might be better suited to the longer distance of the 2200 m Fourex Cup, but added: “He’ll be trying hard, that’s for sure. I just hope he gets a lucky break.” On the fourth line of betting for the Rothmans, at 15-1, is the New Zealander, "Final Affair, which has had a patchy run this campaign for expatriate New Zealand

trainer, Nigel Landers. After three unplaced runs Final Affair found form in the 4BC Sprint at Doomben last month, clearing out to a length and a half win over second favourite, Sports Ruler, Sparkle Free and Pete’s Choice which are both also in tomorrow’s field. Next time out he ran tenth in the Tourist Ministers Cup then fifth last time out in the Healy Stakes last week.