Many late entries likely for John Brandon Series

Press, 13 March 1986, Page 30

Many late entries likely for John Brandon Series

By

G. K. YULE

Horses for which a late entry fee of $lOOO must be paid by mid-day on Monday, will probably form the bulk of the fields in the three legs of the John Brandon Series, the first race of which will be run by the Metropolitan Club at Addington Raceway next Wednesday. Late entry fees have already been paid for French Lord and Dream Lustre, while the connections of such well-per-formed three-year-olds as Happy Patron, Sir Alba, Trident, Laser Lad, MacButt, Lederec, Lea Vance, Alba’s Reign, Keystone Surprise and Michele Bromac have indicated interest in joining in the quest for a share in the $200,000 in prize money attached to the three races. In addition there is a bonus of $lOO,OOO payable to any horse capable of winning all three events. For a time there was considerable interest by North Island owners in the series, but the numbers from there likely to start have dwindled right away. A number of horses to have shown great potential earlier in their careers, have not measured up to the required standard. The latest drop-out is Clarius, which has gone amiss.

The John Brandon

Series will this year be run for the third time. In 1984 the stakes for the first two legs were $30,000, with the Derby, on the final day of the carnival on Easter Saturday being worth $70,000.

Last year the stakes for the first two races rose to $35,000, with the Derby being increased to $BO,OOO. This year the horses will race for $45,000 in events over 2600 m and 2000 m, with the Derby jumping to $llO,OOO. Originally 604 entries were made for this year’s series, a payment of $25 being made for the horses when they were yearlings. Then, when they were late two-year-olds, a sustaining payment of $5O was made for 325.

From this group will come quite a number of entries for next Wednesday’s race, but few will be able to secure a start. Most in the group of 325 have not yet qualified, and only a handful of those to have raced have won once or more often.

Including those for which a late entry fee is expected to be paid, there are about 20 with two or more wins to their credit and it will be from their ranks that the bulk of the starters will come.

Captain Cavalla, Eb’s 80, Gina Rosa, Honourable Guest, Kotare Sterling, Laudit, Lord Morano,

Mythical, Ollie’s Chance, Prestwick, Rosewood Summit, Uncle Alex and Uncle Jasper are winners among the horses to have made both payments in order to remain in the series.

Generally it is accepted that this year’s crop of three-year-olds is an extremely even one, with the biggest prize decided so far, the $125,000 Fay, Richwhite Sires’ Stakes Final on Show Day, falling to the talented Sir Alba. Sir Alba and Trident have both won more than $lOO,OOO in stakes, totals which either could more than double before the end of the month.

After that they will have the $150,000 Lion Brown Northern Derby at Alexandra Park on Friday, April 18.

Performances in the John Brandon Series will have an important bearing on the South Island challenge for the rich event hosted by the Auckland Club.