Art MacFaber enhances Rangiora prospects

Press, 19 December 1985, Page 43

Art MacFaber enhances Rangiora prospects

By

JEFF SCOTT

Art Mac Faber, something like a foolproof pacer, enhanced his prospects for the Yaldhurst Hotel Pace at Rangiora on Saturday, when he led from end to end at the Motukarara trials yesterday.

The consistent El PatronAilsa’s Dream gelding was not extended in the hands of the stable reinsman, Greg Payne, to hold out Stoner Creek by a length in the C2 and faster pacers’ heat in 33min 32.85, quickening over his last 800 m in Imin 0.3 s and 400 m in 30.25.

Rocky Spot finished on from midfield for third, ahead of Noble Statesman and Majestic Trouper. Masarko Adios, a six-year-old half-sister by El Patron to the well-per-formed Australian pacer, Ardstraw (Imin 59.55) and former speedy mare Kakama (2min 00.55), recorded time honours for the day over 2600 m when taking her CO heat in 3min 28.25. The close relative of the ill-fated Magnitude led for most of the way to win by two lengths, running her last 400 m in 30.35.

The talented filly, Gina Rosa (Plat du Jour—Gina Marie), an impressive Methven winner last time out, recorded a fine trial for the Customwood Handicap Pace at Rangiora by pacing her last 400 m in 29.1 s to get up for third in the Cl heat. Back on the inner to the

turn, Gina Rosa ran on well late to finish a head and a half a length from Sheza Dandy (back to the 600 m) and another determined finisher in Whata Cutie, which has recently been removed from the schooling list. Sheza Dandy, now trained at West Melton by Robin Butt, returned 3min 35.8 s for the 2600 m, the leaders pacing their last 800 m in Imin 0.9 s and their closing 400 m in 29.55.

Top Abbe, engaged in the Burkes Caterers Handicap on Saturday, led over the last 1200 m to win his CO heat in a leisurely 3min 38.85, quickening over his last 400 m in 29.9 s to beat Floyd (in the open) and Miss Bojangles. Michele Bromac, a useful second to Gina Rosa when making her debut at Methven, confirmed her fitness for the Ashley Meats Pace at Rangiora when she made ground late for fourth in tight quarters in her CO heat yesterday. Trio Del came on best after being in the open to win in 3min 38.65, the leaders running their last 400 m in 28.95.

Citizen Kane, a race rival of Michele Bromac on Saturday, ran on to finish fourth in his heat won by To and Fro in 3min 30.65, the leaders running their last 400 m in 31s.

Eiffel Tower (Plat du Jour—Vivid), which trailed, just held out the strong late run of the Colin de Filippitrained Glemanda (Nood-

lum—Judy Lopez), a grandson of the fine broodmare, Battle Song, to win the first two-year-old heat over 2100 m in 2min 56.55, the leaders running their last 400 m in 30.85. Glemanda’s effort was encouraging. After being slow early, he shaded Petuan, which had moved up to be second from the 600 m.

Hard Hitter (LordshipMarquise) led throughout to win the second heat in 2min 57.25, the last 400 m in 30.65, beating Katarina, which trailed, by two lengths. Bobby, in the open mostly, fought on for third, a length back.

Precious Parcel, the $30,000 Farm Timer—Bellajily filly purchased at the national yearling sale in February, crashed to the track after only 250 m. The valuable Graham Court-trained youngster was unharmed by the fall, however, returning to the stabling area with slight grazing. Other winners were: CO pacers, 2600 m, Try Star (3min 30.35), Dejeuner (3min 31.45), Tottingham (3min 34.85); CO trotters, Jacee (3min 36.95); Cl and 2 trotters, Scotch Leigh (3min 43.15) and C 3 and faster trotters, Bloxett (3min 41.95). • El Draco, which travelled south from Pat O’Brien’s Blenheim team, looked the most impressive of the 10 pacers and two trotters to qualify. A three-year-old daughter

of Alba Counsel, the sire of nine individual winners of 17 races this term including the leading three-year-old; Sir Alba, El Draco trailed to the home turn and came clear to win nicely by two lengths in 3min 16.45, the leaders running their last 400 m in 29.65. The fastest of the 2400 m qualifiers was the John Vin-cent-trained Passing Guest, a three-year-old Pass With Care gelding from the same family as Worthy Guest and Speedy Guest, which finished solidly from the trail to win in 3min 15.65, the leaders battling over their last 400 m in 32.35.

Details of the qualifiers: Pacers, 2600 m: Alba Frost (4g Alba Counsel—Spartan Princess) 3min 35.55. Pacers 2400 m: Passing Guest (3g' Pass With CareFancy Guest) 3min 15.65; Bon Marche (3g Plat du Jour— Jennisa) 3min 15.85; Alba Scott (3g Roydon Albatross— Scottish Joy) 3min 16.35; Dream On Her (3f Lumber Dream—With Honours) 3min 17s; El Fashion (3g El Patron—Fashion First) 3min 16.35; Grace Mac Faber (3f Nat Lobell—Gladness) 3min 16.65; El Draco (3f Alba Counsel—El Suan) 3min 16.45; Lucky Lobell (4h Nat Lobell—Lucky Riddle) 3min 16.85; Skipper Queen (5m World SkipperLight Queen) 3min 18.8 s. Trotters 2400 m: Our Tony (3g Nordel Skipper—Our Anne) 3min 24.15; Newhaven (3f Yankee Reb—Jan Lopez) 3min 24.25.