A relaxed Crown Star reassures his owner-trainer-jockey

Press, 10 August 1985, Page 26

A relaxed Crown Star reassures his owner-trainer-jockey

By

J. J. BOYLE

Ken Browne was wondering yesterday if a Grand National Steeplechase was too much too soon for his Crown Star, the youngest runner in the big one at Riccarton today.

But he took comfort from the seven-year-old’s air of well-being and his relaxed approach to his work in three striding rounds of the chip track at Riccarton yesterday. “He’s relaxed and attentive, and all I hope for is a Jsjt’ .behind -sometbiftp .else

in the race to make it easier for him to get the trip,” saaid Browne, who will be seeking his third Grand National Steeplechase victory today. “If we’re left to do it all in front they’ll all be trying to pressure us, so there will _be_a.lot_dfnendiac on what happens early in the race,” Browne said. Browne regards Bymai as the hardest to beat. “The drying track will help Bymai to handle his weight,” he said. Bymai is top weight with 65kg, and left with the task of giving 7.5 kg to Crown Star. Bymai and Crown Star have yet to meet over Ric-

carton. Last year’s Grand National winner ran second in the Homeby last Saturday week but was not in the line-up in the Koral, won by Crown Star on the opening day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting. Crown Star’s lead-up Cnh3fiiv ut&gf a7WNR“ dr dkr Grand National, runs on similar lines to that followed with the dashing Hazlett-owned grey whose name is perpetuated in the race won by the Waikato jumper last Saturday. Twenty years ago Koral won the National from the tail of the handicap after four earlier starts over country for three wins and a third.

Crown Star has a background of five starts over country, also for three wins as weft as two thirds. The North Island lost an interesting runner yesterday with the withdrawal of Battle On. The Battle Waggon gelding still had some ieg“nte‘ wrencnfea J last week, and his ownertrainer, Mr Jock Singers, said he would not place the chestnut at risk. “I’ve won two Grand Nationals with Robert Earl, and all going well I’ll be back next year trying to win another one with Battle On,” Mr Singers said. The Singers tip for today’s race? “Crown Star is a young horse who had the pace to win the Grand National Hurdles, and doesn’t have to battle with weight — he has to be the one to beat.”