South Island horses won $661,805 at Alex. Park

Press, 25 July 1985, Page 38

South Island horses won $661,805 at Alex. Park

By

G. K. YULE

Once again Alexandra Park has proved a tremendous source of revenue for the South Island light harness industry. During the current season southern horses on their forays to contest major events on that course have won $661,805 in stakes. This amounts to close to 25 per cent of the total stakes offered by the Auckland, Franklin and Thames clubs, which race at Alexandra Park. In 1983-84 the three clubs distributed $2,410,110, with the figures for the current season not yet available, but expected to be about $2.6 million. The figures do not take into account appearance money paid to those horses finishing further back than fifth in each event. This amounts to $55 in supporting events, increasing in feature events to $2OOO for unsuccessful runners in the Auckland Cup. The latest southern

winner was Rollicking Dean, which took out the Lyon Ford Pace last Saturday in his first attempt outside the South Island. His win dividend of $4.20 was a rewarding one for a horse which had been so impressive when successful at Rangiora last month at his most recent start. Had his race been at Addington, for instance, his win dividend probably would not have been much better than $2. Rollicking Dean was on trial on this trip to see how he would handle the northern track. His southern part-owner and trainer, Gordon Davidson, has longrange plans for the colt, including an attempt on the New Zealand Messenger at Auckland in December. His win on Saturday would have dispelled any doubts about Rollicking Dean’s ability to race successfully in the north. So far this season 45 horses have contributed to the winnings credited to

South Island trainers at Alexandra Park. Between them they have won 35 times, and recorded 26 seconds, 12 thirds, 13 fourths and 16 stake-bearing fifths. Few southern horses have trekked north without gaining more than appearance money. The southern onslaught was light in the spring and did not gain momentum until December, after which there were sizeable teams competing when the major events came up for decision. Roydon Glen, which numbered the Messenger and Auckland Cup among his four wins, was the major contributor to South Island winnings, with $167,315. The three-year-old, Nardinski, winner of the Great Northern Derby, collected $71,070 from a win and two placings, while the southern two-year-old, Trident, winner of the Cigna Final, won $67,300. The Rowe Cup winner,

Tussle, added $42,285 to her bankroll, while Enterprise, with four wins on the course, amassed $40,470. Hilarious Guest, now retired, did not win a race, but two seconds, including one in the Auckland Cup, were worth $39,100. Our Mana had two wins and four placings and won $24,540, while Basil Dean won $22,720 from two wins and a placing. Chipaluck won $21,670 from a win and a second. Two wins and five placings added $19,635 to the big winnings of Sir Castleton. Adios Trick ($17,800), Borana ($14,285), Premiership (12,690), Sir Alba ($12,560) and Samson ($10,715) were other South Island-trained horses to win five-figure sums. Other South Island horses to win at Alexandra Park this season were Winning Note, Anticipate, Worthy Adios, Late Lustre, Armbro Almont, Fancy Wally, Globe Tour, Rona’s Pride, Loveridge and Loyal Step.