Infantry confirms favouritism

Press, 2 December 1985, Page 36

Infantry confirms favouritism

PA Waipukurau The warm favourite, Infantry, carried his legion of supporters to victory in the Wall Memorial Handicap, the first leg of the T.A.B. double at Saturday’s Waipukurau Jockey Club meeting.

The Awapuni-trained four-year-old, ridden perfectly by Noel Harris, got to the line a long head in front of Blanceau. The first two had the

finish to themselves, the third-placed, Jirob, being lengths behind. Infantry notched his fourth win from 16 starts. He is trained by Margaret Bull for his Palmerston North owner, Mr Jim Wilson. Harris had Infantry trailing in second place on the fence in the early stages before sending him forward to challenge the pacemaker, Rastus,at the 600 m. Once in the straight Infantry quickly grabbed the lead but was soon challenged by Blanceau, ridden by David Walsh. Blanceau got about a half lengthen Infantry but the

latter rallied well to snatch back the lead close to the post. 1 Sterling Exchange, after taking a clear lead at the top of the home straight, held on gamely to win the Bridgeman Handicap, second leg of the T.A.B.

double. The grey four-year-old was capping off a string of minor placings and was recording his sixth win from 34 starts.

Leading jockey, David Walsh, rode Sterling Exchange, the fourth time he has been successful on the Marton-trained galloper. Sterling Exchange settled just in behind the pace in the early stages before improving quickly to be on the heels of the pace maker, Fiddlers Three, rounding the home turn. Sterling Exchange quickly raced up to take the lead and fought well to win by a long neck from Fiddlers Three, with Go Mamma running on strongly ' for third, just a neck away. There was a gap of 3% lengths, to the fifth-placed |