Evander Best shows great promise in win at Rangiora

Press, 9 June 1986, Page 31

Evander Best shows great promise in win at Rangiora

By

G. K. YULE

Although Gentle Sir won the D.B. Rangiora Cup, the feature race at the Rangiora Trotting Club’s winter meeting on Saturday, it was another Dunedin-trained pacer in Evander Rest and the Mid-Canterbury owned and trained Major Bromac which showed greater potential. Gentle Sir, which paced two fine races at the recent Ashburton meeting, was presented with the main race. Kerry O’Reilly sent Gentle Sir clear with about 1800 m left and a sprint over the final 800 m in Imin 2.5 s was sufficient to keep the others at bay. Gentle Sir finished a length in front of Mark Seven, which tracked the pacemaker, with half a length to Star Lady, which was never further back than third or fourth. Dream Lustre made up a little ground late in the race to take fourth, shading Sure He Can, with Travel Warrant next. Gentle Sir is trained at Dunedin by Allan Georgeson, who races him in partnership with Colin Baynes, of Gore, and Robert Rendel, of Dunedin. It was Gentle Sir’s first win since March, 1984, at Winton. He has had little racing since then and has had six starts this time out for his win and three placings. Evander Hest, a mem-

ber of Ali Malcolmson’s team, has only been pacing for about three months, according to his trainer. He showed great ability when he finished fourth at Ashburton last Monday when making his race debut. As a result he was the even-money favourite for the T.L. Scurr and Sons Pace. His host of supporters missed a heart-beat when he went off-stride in the lead near the crossing at the 1400 m. However, he settled quickly again and followed Giftique. Once into the straight he did not have to be driven out to win by a length and a quarter in slow time. Giftique, also having his second race start, held on for seecond, ahead of Sunday Knight, with the others down the track. Raced in partnership by Messrs Colin Campbell and Brian Low, of Palmerston, he is bred to trot, being a four-year-old gelding by Some Evander from Gay Moccasin, a close relation of two outstanding trotters in Le Chant and Stylish Major and other fine winners in Tactician, Yankee Twinkle, Twinkle Hanover, Royal Twinkle, Collaborate and Vita Man. “I trotted him at two and three, but decided to put the hopples on him three months ago. He is a nice horse to do anything with, but he’s got a few problems,” said Malcolm-

; son. . . "He’s at his best in : standing-start races, but ; it’s hard to find them these days. If he gets too many mobiles, I pick he could get a bit keen. I ; should have had him in at : Nelson, but because if I didn’t enter him there I’ll probably spell him,” he added. ; The Belfast owneri trainer, John Thompson, had his first win since Brankin was successful at Addington in March, 1985, when Gunpowder won the San Simeon Pace. He led practically throughout and had almost two lengths to spare over Young Clinton and Lady Rana. Gunpowder is a three-year-old gelding by El Patron from the useful mare, Armbro Tryax. He will probably race at the three Addington meetings, which begin in a fortnight. Major Bromac, so uni lucky at Ashburton last I Monday, had a change of luck in the Apex Tyres i Pace. He was near the tail of a big field until inside : the final 400 m and put in a strong run wide out on i the track to win handily by a length from the , favourite, Medicine Man, and Hallfield Nat. Major Bromac paced i the 2600 m in the respectt able time of 3min 29.55, i with the final 800 m in i Imin 2.15. The Brian ; Saunders-trained fourt year-old looks capable of rapid promotion.

There were keen fin- I ishes in the two races for 1 trotters. Kathy’s Pride shaded the fast-finishing Flameaway, with That’s That not far away, in the Gateway Restaurant Handicap, while Joe Junior beat the favourite, Doncella, by a nose in Rangiora Farmers, Ltd, Handicap. There was another fairly close battle in the Palmer and Doak Handicap, the second leg of the main double. Kiss and Koo charged through along the inside mid-way into the straight and, although she was inclined to drift out, she beat Shaun

by half a length, with Art Mac Faber close by, third, a length in front of Elbon Blue and Sapphire King. Ricky Alfeld produced his first winner since he took out a trainer’s licence some weeks ago when Golden Rolex got up to shade Mavora Boy in the Brook Hotel Pace. Southern Del, which looked the winner until she broke 50m out, was half a length back third, ahead of Swift Hurricane and Even Key. Golden Rolex will go to the Blenheim meeting on Saturday week. He has now qualified to start in the main events there.