Royal Adder impressive in Nelson Cup victory

Press, 22 April 1986, Page 28

Royal Adder impressive in Nelson Cup victory

Special correspondent Nelson Royal Adder’s appetite for provincial cups has rarely been satisfied in more impressive fashion than in the 100th running of the Nelson Jockey Clubs Nelson Cup at Richmond Park yesterday. The hardy In the Purple mare, kept handy to the pace by David Walsh, dashed clear with 250 m to run and finished four lengths to the good of Rapsea, which made a late dab to push the second favourite, Te Kaahu, one place further back. It was a suggestion by Walsh that Royal Adder be tried in blinkers after her belated reaction to taking advantage of a gap in the Caltex Cup on the first day of the meeting, which the trainer Ray Pankhurst thought a major factor in her success in the Newmanssponsored event yesterday. But Walsh did not ascribe her first win since January to that alone. “She would probably have won without blinkers,” he said. “But she did sharpen up a bit with them on and that is all that was wanted,” he

added. Royal Adder was having her 84th start yesterday and posting her 12th win. All of them have been from the Pankhurst stable and include the Reefton, Hokitika and Greymouth Cups as well as the Grove Spring Cup at Blenheim in September, when she beat Harbor Flo and Samasaan. She seems to race herself back into form and now that she has struck her best again she may well line up at Riccarton on Saturday. She is affectionately described as "an old bludger” by her trainer. “This is where the blinkers have helped. She is so relaxed about everything she can easily lose the edge of her form. But once she gets going she is as tough as they come and seems to be still improving,” Pankhurst said. Rapsea also benefited from a blinkers experiment. Her trainer, Maurice Campbell, applied to have the horse race without blinkers after Rapsea’s disappointing first day effort, and the move, coupled with a better

draw, saw a big improvement. Rapsea had every chance in the trail and ran on valiantly. Te Kaahu sat handy to the pacemaker, Ballane, and led soon after turning for home. The Trenthambound stayer stuck gamely to his task right to the line. The much debated argument about whether or not Dig In will measure up at a middle distance was still inconclusive after he ran a solid fourth. However, the rider, Grant Davison, is confident that the horse will succeed over more ground. “I had to use the stick on him before the home turn he was so relaxed. He was never really on the bit the whole way. He’ll stay if he keeps racing like that,” Davison said. The pacemaker, Ballane, faded to fifth ahead of Vendee, while the firstday winner, Ten Winks, was a big disappointment being beaten 600 m from home and coming in last. Her rider, Warwick Satherley, reported that the mare was never happy in the soft condi-

tions. Princess Regal could return to Riccarton for the Hororata meeting on Saturday following her victory in the Lion Brown Spring at Nelson yesterday, but her immediate plans revolve around a weight problem. “There’s a class 2 race at Riccarton which would suit her nicely but she has already won one on the track with 56kg and I don’t want to be too hard on her,” trainer Paddy Busuttin said. “She seems to thrive on racing and travelling,” he added. “If we miss Riccarton there is a similar race on the last day at Trentham,” he said. Busuttin trains the royally bred Vice Regal mare for a Wairarapa based syndicate of 10 who have her on lease from the Chequers Stud and Euan Cameron. The lease expires in August, after which the daughter of Pure Luck should prove a valuable breeding proposition. Yesterday was her 30th start and her fifth win, several minor placings pushing her earnings over $26,000. Garry Philips gave Princess RegSl a dream

run. She was midfield on the fence until the home turn and did not have to lease the rail as the leaders moved outward. She claimed Itsarippa 150 m out and withstood a late charge from Tirana, with Satiny’s Pride leading in the others. Tirana was restrained for one big effort in the straight and had his chances affected somewhat when Tane Matthews had to straighten him out at a vital stage. However, the mare seemed to be holding him at the line. Satiny’s Pride lacked confidence in the easy footing when the pressure went on, according to David Walsh. She will also run at Riccarton if the track is firm, as will Morrie Man. Both will be turned out soon after. Sound Note survived a veterinary inspection before being allowed to return to the barrier just before the race. Her rider, Ron McCann, felt that with a minor leg problem she was not well enough to race but she was passed fit, fading to eighth after racing close to the pace.