Basil Dean wins final N.Z. race

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 25

Basil Dean wins final N.Z. race

The veteran trotter, Basil Dean, made light of his 10 years in his final race start in New Zealand by leading for the last 1400 m of the Radio 3ZB Canterbury Park Trotting Cup. The race was a tame affair with a muddling pace, ■ which quickened over the last 800 m in Imin. Basil Dean started from 20m and his time for the 3200 m was 4min 17.875.

Doody Townley, who is one of the most skilful

handlers of trotters in the country but had never driven Basil Dean before, took advantage of the slack pace to try and improve near the 1800m,' but Wedgewood went ahead of him and took the front. Basil Dean continued his run and took over 1400 m out.

Melvander, which was in the open for much of the last round, looked likely to trouble Basil Dean, but he broke 100 m

out. At the line Basil Dean had an advantage of three-quarters of a length over Firm Offer, with half a length back to Melvander, and similar breaks to Wedgewood and Sheltoe.

Basil Dean, which is to race in California, is now owned outright by Tim Newton, of Ashburton, who recently paid $lO,OOO for the half-share owned by his former trainer, Bob Jamison. He is now being prepared by Wayne Ross.

Basil Dean leaves New Zealand with a record of 65 starts for 24 wins, 13 placings and $184,025 in stakes. His record is a remarkable one as he has been plagued by injury throughout much of his career.

Happy Sunrise brought his record to two wins and a second from three starts When he made short work of the field in the Linwood City Tearooms Pace. After settling well back, he looped the field from the 1400 m to take control 200 m later. Although he had been inclined to gawk about in his other starts, last evening he relaxed and Ricky May only had to give him a couple of flicks with the whip early in the run home to keep his mind on his task. Uncle Jasper came on fairly for second ahead of Racing Game, which did not secure a clear run in the home straight. Sybil's Dream clears out Sybil’s Dream improved a sound race-record in a career restricted by problems when she drew away from Mystery Light and Module Boy in the Lion Brown Pace. The Robert Asquith-trained mare has had three wins and two placings from her six starts and she looks capable of further rapid promotion, especially over the shorter distances. The daughter of Scottish Hanover paced the 2000 m in a slick 2min 31.85, with her last 800 m in Imin 0.1 s» Tobago upsets Tobago, at odds of almost 18/1, upset calculations in the Nancy’s Hotel Handicap. In doing so he trotted the 2600 m in 3min 24.585, comfortably inside the previous C 4 class record of 3min 25.4 s shared by Noble Advice and By the Way. Trained and driven by his part-owner, Ray Jenkins, of South Hillend, Tobago was given a splendid run one off the fence. He joined issue with Boford and Pitcher with about 200 m to run and he finished best to win by a long head from Boford, Pitcher battled into a close third, clear of Delacouri and the favourite, Tyron Scottie, which received a shocking run. Viewfield Prince wins The third class record for the night went by the board when Viewfield Prince capitalised on a splendid rails-run in the straight to win the Canterbury of N.Z. Activewear Pace. Viewfield Prince had trouble working clear in the middle- stages, but he was able to improve along the inner from the 600 m. Andronicus drifted off the fence starting the run home and Viewfield Prince charged through to win easily in 2min 27.83 s for the 2000 m, a mile rate of Imin 58.905. The previous class record of 2min 29.89 s was set by French Lord 12 months ago. Dreamy Guy went a splendid race for second, with Aran Blaze, a stablemate of the winner, doing well for a close third, just ahead of Cuddle Me Doo, which was last at the 800 m.