Trentham next for Million Joys

Press, 12 January 1987, Page 29

Trentham next for Million Joys

Special correspondent Dunedin Million Joys completed her racing preparation for the Wellington Cup meeting with a brilliant win in the Fulton Hogan Central Handicap at the Vincent Jockey Club’s meeting at Omakau on Saturday. Million Joys came fast wide out from second last and several lengths from the lead at the 600 metres to win by a length in track record time of 2.00.8 for the 2000 metres. "She was that flat for most of the way it wasn’t funny,” said her rider Barry Pelling. “But as soon as she got a bit of space to work in, she found another gear.” Million Joys returned to Riccarton yesterday and she will travel to Trentham by road and sea tomorrow with other members of Michael Pitman’s stable. Her stablemates also going north are Beks, Purple Tone, Trillium, White Lip and Torchstar.

Million Joys has the Trentham Stakes, a

weight-for-age 2400 metres next Saturday, as her immediate assignment as a lead-up to the Wellington Cup.

Beks could also be a Cup starter if she makes a satisfactory showing in the Air New Zealand Handicap (2200 m on the second day at Trentham. Torchstar, which won the highweight on Saturday after racing in or near the lead, will run out his class four nominations at Trentham.

Purple Tone, which overcame a slow start to finish second to Bold Beaufort on Saturday, and Trillium, which came from last for third to Main Course and Egotistic, are likely to be rivals in the Douro Cup on the second day at Wellington.

White Lip, a last start winner at Ascot Park, is in the Terrace Regency Handicap next Saturday. Million Joys, and Torchstar were ridden by the Riccarton horseman, Barry Pelling, who was also successful on Nearly Summer on Saturday.

Nearly Summer, an all-the-way winner, is owned and trained by Bevan Wilson, a steward of the club. Main Course, which edged out Egotistic over 2000 metres, has been nominated for Trentham, along with stablemate Satiny’s Pride, but their Orari trainer, Ray Pankhurst, said he may reserve Main Course for a $7OOO C 3 race at Greymouth next Saturday. Main Course has won four races this season and Pankhurst has a high opinion of the Palatable — All Alert gelding, which is a brother to Red Rolfe. Pankhurst also saddled Morrie Man to win his first race for the season and his first in open ranks when he ran on strongly to score in a close finish. He was ridden by John Dowling, who will ride Blyme at the Manawatu meeting on Wednesday. Th Wingatui horseman, All Robinson, won maiden races with Glenariffe and Billy Mac, both of which were in front most of the way.