Village Kid will be aimed for Addington series

Press, 21 April 1986, Page 30

Village Kid will be aimed for Addington series

By

G. K. YULE

Brisbane

A visit to Christchurch next February to defend his title is almost a certainty for Village Kid. The West Australian speedster proved himself one of the greatest pacers seep “Down Under” when he humbled his rivals in the Fosters Inter-Dominion Championship Grand Final at Albion Park on Saturday evening. In a breathtaking exhibition he slashed 1.3 s oft what Australians claim was the world record for the odd distance of 2100 m, set by Popular Aim in 1983 on the same track. His 2min 30.9 s was a mile rate of Imin 55.6 s and to achieve that he ambled over his final mile in Imin 56.85. Those who doubted that Village Kid would have the speed to get to the lead early from No. 8 at the barrier were rocked back when he jetted out from behind the mobile barrier and, in spite of the suicidal attempts by Vin Knight and Bag Limit to keep him out he was in control after a mere 100 m. Knight tried to pressure Village Kid again

about the half-way point but that was an exercise in futility. The star of the carnival continued on at sub-two-minute speed with a minimum of effort and his driver, Chris Lewis, did not even have to flick him with the whip to be out by 13m at the line. Vanderport, from Victoria, was closer to Village Kid at the end than at any other stage of the race and just held second from another West Australian horse in Line On, which lunged right on the post after being one of the tailenders until late. Karalta Gift was almost in line in fourth place, a couple of lengths in front of Stylish Guy and Game Oro, which met traffic problems over the last 250 m after being three back on the rails. Master Mood was seventh, 38m from the winner in a time little more than a second ouside the previous record.

Bag Limit found the task of trying to match Village Kid early more than he could contend with and he dropped right away over the last 500 m to finish ninth, close to

100 m from the winner, with an even longer break to Scientific, which went up wide early, and paid the price in such a fastrun race.

Chris Lewis, aged 30, joins Bruce Clarke, Peter Wolfenden, Doody Townley and Tony Turnbull on the honours list of having driven two Grand Final winners. '

Village Kid stood head and shoulders above the others in the series and should he reach the same high peak of form at Addington Raceway next year it is unlikely any of the local horses will be able to keep within sight of him.

How he had thrived during the meeting was shown when jthe horses did their preliminaries after being led out on to the track by members of the Queensland Mounted Police and the famous old campaigner, ■ Paleface Adios. Whereas the other nine went round quietly, Village Kid travelled at a smart clip and was given a sharp brush through the straight before joining the other horses.

“Once I got to the front with him he relaxed beautifully and brushed

through each quarter comfortably,” said Lewis. “He was going so easily 500 m out that when I looked over my shoulder and saw the others were under a bit of pressure I knew he had to fall down to get beaten,” he added.

Some idea of his extreme ability is shown by Village Kid’s sectional times. He went over the first 500 m in 34.15, the equivalent of a quarter in 27.65, according to the Chairman of Stewards, Mr. Darryl Kayes. The following quarters took 295, 29.25, 29.65, and 295. “I suppose he could have gone a bit faster had it been necessary. I will never know now, but don’t forget I didn’t touch him with the whip,” said Lewis, who heaped high praise on the skill of the horse’s trainer, Bill Horn, the “friendly butcher from Fremantle.”

“He had him in superb condition right through the carnival and he was as good if not better for his fourth race in a fortnight than on the opening night,” said Lewis. “I have been thinking a bit about his future racing,” said Horn, “and

apart from the Benson and Hedges Cup at home at New Year and the Inter-Dominion in Christchurch, I have no set plans. We will see what offers. I. have wiped the idea of the New Zealand Cup but all going well Chris and I will be in Christchurch in November with Governor Guinness. He has not done much yet, but is the staying type to shine over your way.”

Governor Guinness is a six-year-old by Micron from Ali McGraw. Gordon Cox, another of Village Kid’s owners, bought him from "Curley” Thomas, of Invercargill. Village Kid, which joins Logan Derby, James Scott, Chamfer’s Sta?, Stella Frost, Honda Grattan, Young Quinn, San Simeon and Preux Chevalier as horses to have gone unbeaten through a series, will spearhead an unprecedentedly large Australian group of challengers at next year’s Addington series.,

Vanderport, Line On, Karalta Gift and Stylish Guy are a few of those to have raced at Brisbane with Christchurch on their itineraries for next year.