Impressive trial by Derby hopefuls

Press, 24 December 1985, Page 21

Impressive trial by Derby hopefuls

Special correspondent Auckland Impressive galloping by Bonecrusher and the Wingatui visitor, Random Chance, at Ellerslie yesterday morning gave further promise of a great race in the New Zealand Derby on Thursday. All the signs are for one of the best Derby contests in years; the interest is already at a high pitch and widespread. The way Bonecrusher and Random Chance went yesterday suggested they would be two of the principals in the finish.

On the extreme outside of

the course proper, Bonecrusher (Gary Stewart) and Random Chance (Shane Anderton) strode away with Regimental March, ridden by the lightweight apprentice, Tony Fox, from the 2000 m and were four lengths or more clear of the other horse when finishing the last 1400 m in lmin 29.45. For the last 1000 m Bonecrusher and Random Chance returned imin 3s ■ and they ran the last 800 in 51s. .-<■

Bonecrusher’s performance had -added merit be-‘ cause he went on the out- ; side, three wide. Random

Chance was nevertheless thoroughly satisfactory, giving nothing away towards the finish. The trainer of Random Chance, Brian Anderton, considers his horse improved by the Guineas at Avondale, the first race, he had had for a month. Bonecrusher has gone on the right way, of that there can hardly be a doubt. Both Bonecrusher and Random Chance will “coast” in their Derby preparation from t here, restricted to pacework and, in the case of Bonecrusher, a couple of visits to the beach.