Bionic Chance chasing Race Ruler for Derby honours tonight

Press, 24 April 1987, Page 36

Bionic Chance chasing Race Ruler for Derby honours tonight

Special correspondent Auckland While everything points to yet another victory for Race Ruler in tonight’s $150,000 Great Northern Derby at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting at Alexandra Park, a Mid-Canterbury filly, Bionic Chance, has a great opportunity to lower his colours. Race Ruler is unbeaten in his last nine starts and has won 12 of 13 races this term. Bionic Chance and Race Ruler have met three times in the past and the latter has emerged the victor on each occasion. Last season Race Ruler won the Benson and Hedges Two-year-old Championship at Alexandra Park and Bionic Chance finished a game third after having a hard run. Race Ruler completed a clean sweep of the three-race John Brandon series at Addington recently, with Bionic Chance finishing sixth and second respectively in the final two legs. Last Saturday’s New Zealand Derby at Addington indicated that Bionic Chance is in the right form to beat Race Ruler. Wide from the 900 m, Bionic Chance headed Race Ruler 150 metres from home and only succumbed from a determined late bid from the winner close to home; Her driver, Pat O’Reilly jun. said after the race he though Bionic Chance might have won but for “loafing” once she got to the front. A great battle between these two fine young pacers promises to be one of the highlights of a long and busy season. Race Ruler, undeniably the best of his

age in New Zealand, has had three hard races in a short space of time. He could be forgiven if beaten tonight after arriving back at Taupiri just last Wednesday. Already the highest stake-earning three-year-old in New Zealand trotting, Race Ruler would take his bankroll along to $658,208 if successful tonight This total would include a'bonus of $150,000 payable to the owners of any horse sold at the 1985 Great Northern or National sale which wins three Group 1 races as a two and three-year-old. An added hurdle placed in Race Ruler’s path could be the traditionally hard task of winning both the New Zealand Derby and Great Northern Derby in the same season. Only Mighty Me (1983) in recent times has accomplished the feat. Before him Tactile (1962) won both races and, for good measure, scored in the New South Wales Derby, Victorian Derby and South Australian Derby as well.

Bionic Chance also has the record book against her. The last filly to win the Great Northern Derby was Ripper’s Delight, back in 1975. The main advantage Bionic Chance has over Race Ruler is her handy barrier draw. With the scratching of the balloted out horses she will start from No. 3 and Race Ruler from No. 5.

This should make for an enthralling contest and the outcome of the early battle for the lead could well decide who finally wins. The southern visitors Emcee, a winner last season at Alexandra Park, and Tax Credit, could do best in an even line-up for the minor placings.

Jackpot. Scratched: Dominion Gem. Race 9 D, T, TF 10.10 JOHN ANDREW FORD NORTHERN DERBY $150,000; three-year-olds; mobile; 2700 m. 2 1611 Tax Credit 2 A. M. Butt B g, by Sir Dalrae—Taxi Dancer, tr, D. G. Jones, Templeton: Smart southerner now with top Canterbury trainer. Has been in grand form lately and, from the draw, not the least of chances. Record: 7 starts, 5 wins, $14,920. Colours: Black, yellow sleeves, blue armbands, blue and yellow quartered cap. 3 1533 Emcat 3 C. J. de Filippi B c, by Majestic Chance—Ceredel, tr, W. M. Denton, Tai Tapu. In solid form at the moment. Was a fine third in N.Z. Derby last Saturday and, as a previous winner at Alexandra Park, rates close consideration. Record: 27 starts, 10 wins, 6 seconds, 4 thirds, $111,615. Colours: White, black and white sleeves, black collar and cuffs, white cap. 4 1162. Bionic Chance 4 P. G. O'Reilly, jun. ' Br f, by Majestic Chance—Bionic Star, tr, A. L. Kerslake, Lauriston. Fine filly which is striking form at the right time. Was a game second to Race Ruler in N.Z. Derby last Saturday at Addington and has a fine chance of winning. Record: 22 starts, 11 wins, 6 seconds, 2 thirds, $188,135. Colours: Sky blue, cerise braces and cap. 7 3429 Innocent Guy 7 G. P. Hope Br g, by Clever Innocence—So Happy, tr, G. P. Hope, Weedons. Looked smart earlier this season and confirmed good form with two solid efforts at Addington during John Brandon series. Disappointing when ninth in last Saturday’s N.Z. Derby, but should not be underrated. Record: 19 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds, $26,580. Colours: Green, cobalt blue yoke, braces and sleeves, green cuffs and cap. 8 1111 Race Ruler 8 . . . M. W. McKendry B g, by Noodlum—Black Velvet, tr, E. J. Goodyer, Taupiri. Outstanding gelding which won notable treble at Addington recently. Was tested by Bionic Chance in last Saturday’s N.Z. Derby at Addington but came again to win well. Looks the one to beat. Record: 27 starts, 18 wins, 1 second, $420,083. • Colours: Light blue, yellow sash, blue cap.

9 3860 DMttnct Fella 9 . . . . G. R. PAYNE B g, by Smooth Fella —Distinction, tr, C. S. Hunter, Cambridge. Has ability but is not racing as well as he can. Would have to show a lot of improvement to be in with a chance.. Records: 21 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, $16,350. Colours: Green, gold hoop and sash, green and gold quartered cap. 11 9172 FeHc’s Hanover 11 . . D. K. Gibbons B g, by Dominion Hanover—Bell Derby, tr, D. K. Gibbons, Kumeu. Has shown a lot of improvement over recent months. Was a ■ fastfinishing second to Royal Albert in Thames Derby Trial at Alexandra Park on April 10. Should not be under rated. Record: 27 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, 4 thirds, $14,137. Colours: Royal blue, light blue crossed sashes, blue cap. 12 4044 Megatrend 12. . . J. A. Carmichael B g, by Clever Innocence—Lena Dhu, tr, E. N. Crawford, Rangiora. Strong staying type, which raced generously throughout the John Brandon series. Wide draw a hindrance but not the least of chances. Record: 18 starts, 4 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds, $115,210. Colours: Royal blue, white sash and hoop, white cap. 13 5806 Arabian Blue 13 . . . .F. D. Cooney B g, by Admiral Halsey—Blue Lagoon, tr, L. C. Purdon, Pukekohe. Did not have the best of luck during recent southern campaign. Is a lot better than recent form would suggest and could surprise with luck in the running. Record: 18 starts, 5 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, $35,645. Colours: Silver grey, blue sash and sleeves, and cap. 14 2415 Sir Robert 14 J. W. Langdon Ch g, by Noodlum—Fancy Matilda, tr, G. F. Middleton, Drury. Form recently has been much improved but the big rise in class here could be the telling factor. Record: 35 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 5 thirds, $13,409. Colours: Blue, yellow crossed sashes and cap. 15 1285 Elmer Gantry 15 T. Milina B c, by Alba Byrd—Birdie’s Belle, tr, T. Milina, Helensville. Form before southern campaign was first class. Was a good fifth in N.Z. Derby last Saturday after being wide for the last 900 m. Fine stayer. Record: 23 starts, 6 wins, 7 seconds, I third, $45,539. Colours: White, green stars, gold sleeves and cap. 16 2516 Reilly 16 B. M. Mangos B c, by Smooth Fella—Tonie Gallant, tr, L. C. Purdon, Pukekohe: Useful sixth, after being taken on in front, at Alexandra Park on April 10. Good win in fast time (3:28.8) for 2700 m the time before but will need luck from the draw. Record: 19 starts, 4 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, $22,135. Colours: Silver grey, blue sash, sleeves and cap. 17 3212 Royal Albert 17... . A. G. Herlihy Br g, by Mercedes—Gaelic Princess, tr, P. T. Blanchard, Pukekohe. Under-rated horse which would have been a leading chance had he drawn better. Scored impressive win in Thames Derby Trial two starts back and should not be overlooked. Record: 18 starts, 3 wins, 5 seconds, 2 thirds, $22,135. Colours: Black, red stars, red and black striped sleeves, black cap. 18 7105 Brief Flight 18 J. S. Gray B g, by Saville Row—Fieurlnda, trs M. D. and O. E. Nicholas, Kumeu. Useful type but awkward barrier draw will make it difficult to show his best. Record: 12 starts, 2 wins, 3 seconds, $9747. Colours: White, gold crossed sashes, gold cap. Scratched: Nyallo’s Admiral, Springfield Ace, Countmellow, Theorem. This race will be televised live on TV One. Coverage will start at 10 p.m. and finish at 10.20 p.m.

Jetbet: 6 Race 1 6.10 JOHN ANDREW FORD COURIER HANDICAP TROT $6455; C3 and C5; 2700m 1 7797 Game Yank 1. . . J. Cole It 2 11 Palaaade 2 T. Shaw it 3 0670 Mia* Chipa 3 . . . . . . . T. Knowles It 4 9070 Captain Skipper 4 . . . M. Halloran It 5 9000 Geniua 5 . . R. Clapperton it 6 3322 Mount Pride 6 . . J. Smith It 7 0 Richard Craig 7. . . ... J. Langdon It 8 5161 Young Spike 8 . . . ... C. Bradley it 9 7097 Mountain Peake 9 . . . . B. Bennett it 10 6366 Just Way 1 .... . . . . B. Mangos 10 11 6900 Braidie (UR). . . . . . . A. Jamieson 10 12 4436 Groat Life I... . . . .P. Wolfenden 20 13 3011 Hey Peter 2. . . . W. Oliver 20 14 2145 Silver Wheels 3. . F. Kirk 20 15 4332 Nato 4 . . . .A. Perucich 20 16 1206 Midnight Special 5 . ... A. Herlihy 20 Emergency: Genius. Race 2 6.40 JOHN ANDREW FORD SIERRA PACE $6700; C3 and C4; mobile; 2200m 1 5346 Aramiro Lad 1 . . P. Young It 2 0788 Harvest Moon 2. . . . . G. R. Payne It 3 0000 Criolla 3 . . . D. Butcher It 4 0809 Mud Fever 4 . . . C. Driver It 5 90 Bennimm 5 . . . . . . . . B. Mangos It 6 9094 Kobrina Boy 6. . . F. Kirk It 7 0706 Flying Ace 7 ... . . . A. Vallender it 8 6310 Sir Tact 8 P. Davis It 9 0252 Time Lag 9 ... . . . . . M. Purdon It 10 0041 Respect 10 . . . . J. Cole It 11 8000 Baron’s Fella 11 . C. Butler It 12 6231 Peter Baker 12 . . . . M. McKendry It 13 0298 Limburg 13 ... . . . . S. Pavlovich It 14 1294 Doc’s Own 14. . . . . P. Ferguson It 15 5380 Romping Homo 15 . . . .H. Timmins It 16 9080 Fleet Rover 16 . . . . . .1. Jamieson It Emergencies: Baron’s Fella, Criolla. Race 3 7.10 JOHN ANDREW FORD TWO-YEAR-OLD MILE $6000; mobile; one mile 1 1102 Albaiuk 1 . . . . J. Langdon It 2 0 Surmo’s Lady 2. . . . .G. Gannaway it 3 0 Garvies Chance 3 C. Leek It 4 2934 Adioa Matt 4 . . . . . M. McKendry it 5 3884 Jayson Del 5 . . . . . . A. Dunsmuir It 6 6450 Comacho 6 . . . . ... .J. Stormont It 7 60 Go For Broke 7. . . . G. Wolfenden It 9 4042 Buckingham 9. . . P. Young it 10 012 Godfrey 10 . ... A. Herlihy it 11 0052 Top Vance 11. . . . . . . B. Mangos It 12 Mazeppa 12 ... . It 13 5131 Dilfon Doan 13 . . . . .P. Wolfenden It

14 966 Clever Way 14 . . . 15 4700 Activate 15 . . C. de Filippi It It 18 0472 Body Language 18. J. Cole It Emergencies: Garvies Chance, Surmo’s Lady. Scratched: Milson, Legal Ideal. Race 4 7.40 JOHN ANDREW FORD FALCON PACE $6700: C3 and C4; mobile; 2200m 1 5079 Rusaley Bridge 1. . . . . D. Butcher It 2 6650 Mira Ayrick 2 . ... C. Butler It 3 8800 Jive Boy 3 It 5 0856 Pay Day 5 . . . . N. Brady it 7 2256 El President 7. . . . . P. Davis It 8 0087 Balyna 8 . . . M. Purdon It 10 0313 Mira Ella 10 . . . B. Mangos It 11 4363 Sharlene’e Pride 11 , R. Wolfenden It 12 3800 Henri Lobell 12... , . . . . C. Evans It 13 8667 Chipway 13 . M. McKendry It 14 9105 The Corniahman 14 . . G. McMillan lit 15 3094 Gipey Colonel (UR) F. Kirk It Scratched: McFella, Blabs, Gayles Gain. Race 5 8.10 JOHN ANDREW TELSTAR PACE $7545; C5-C7; mobile; 2700m 1 9810 Lyn’e Song 1 .... . . P. Ferguson It 2 0986 Bogart Command 2 . .P. Wolfenden It 3 6404 That Fella 3 . . B. Mangos It 4 1683 Haybumer 4 . . . G. Harris It 5 3229 Inapiration 5 M. McKendry It 6 7900 Jayvee 6 . . .0. Purdon It 7 1102 Atfrieton 7 . . A. Herlihy It 8 4430 Petite' Pauvre 8 . . . . . . . . S. Reid it 9 8083 Kiwi River 9 . . M. Purdon It 10 9462 Reggiea Mate 10 . . . .... J. Gray It 11 1572 Sheer Quality 11 . . . . . . P. Young It 12 4581 Claraic Fella 12. . . . . . D. Butcher It 13 8 Grand Return 13 . . . . . .1. Hilliard It 14 2040 Hanover Gold 14 . . . . M. Nicholas nt 15 5040 Macbutt 15 . . T. Knowles it Emergency: Jayvee. Race 6 8.40 JOHN ANDREW LASER TROT $11,500; OC; 2700m 1 2110 Minbar Loe 1 . . A. Herlihy it 2 0200 Our Colleen 2 . . M. Purdon it 3 0156 Joe 3 . B. Anderson it 4 0050 Andy Brydon 4 . . . . . . B. Mangos it 5 0087 Take it Eaay 5 . . . . . M. Nicholas it 6 5708 Sergalina 6 .D. Alexander it 7 3459 Globo Pride 7 . C. de Filippi it 8 6410 Raybum Royal 8 . . . . . . E. Wallis it 9 7106 Sergio Bandit 9. . . . . .H. Timmins it 10 0382 Admiral Scanai 10 . . . . B. Gleeson it 11 0094 Tree 11 . . . C. Evans it 12 3314 Ono’e Pride 12 ... . M. McKendry it 13 3131 Fergya Rocket 13. . . . D. McGowan it

14 5770 Maybe Now 14 . . . . .R. Norton It 15 8107 Mister Square 15. . . . . . A. Milina It 16 0754 Indette 1 . . . .0. Purdon 10 17 1618 First Grads 2 . . . . . . .E. Edwards 10 18 6619 Dragon’s Pride 3 . . . . . T. Knowles 10 19 9221 Landorals.Pride. 1. . . . . J..Langdon 15 Emergencies: Andy Brydon, Sergalina, Maybe Now, Take it Easy. Race 7 D 9.10 L W. TWIST PACE $20,000; OC; mobile; one mile 1 8930 Skipper Vantar 1. . . . M. Nicholas It 2 1345 Comedy Lad 2 . . . . . . A. Herlihy It 3 8021 Rum Brydon 3 . . . . . . D. Butcher It 4 3057 Our Mana 4 . . C. de Filippi It 5 5870 Star of Shanghai 5. F. kirk It 6 7011 Sheraton Way 6 . . . . .J. Stormont It 7 9093 Cinimod Junior 7. . . . P. Ferguson It 8 5689 Traitor’s Gate 8. . . ... .A. Milina It 9 2151 Luxury Liner 9 . . . . . . B. Mangos It 10 5207 Metal Mickey 10 . . . M. McKendry It 11 3682 Ben 11 . . . . G. Peaks It Race 8 T 9.40 JOHN ANDREW FORD FAIRLANE MOBILE PACE $5300; Cl; 2700m 1 4530 Far Advance 1 . . . , It 2 61 Adios Bingen 2. . . . . . B. Gleeson It 3 6035 Virginia Tuck 3. . . It 4 1248 Muekie 4 B. Neill It 5 1269 Rory Hackett 5 . . . . . . R. Hooper It 6 48 Patiki Hanover 6 . . . . . J. Langdon It 7 7001 Elisatross 7 . . . ,E. Seagar It 8 714 Lord Toronaga 8 . . . . .P. Wolfenden It 10 9026 Jackpot 10 . . . <K. Barnes It 11 1342 Cherie’s Fella 11 . . . , . C. de Filippi It 12 5428 Theorem 12 . . S. Pavlovich it 13 5523 Karens Dream 13. . . . . . A. Herlihy it 14 4310 Doc’s Trick 14 ... . , . M. Nicholas It 15 71 Classic Tryax 15 . . . . P. Ferguson nt 16 0219 Quick Reply 16 ... . it 17 3418 Trim Lass 17 . . . P. Miller it 18 7054 Tay Matao 18 . . B. Mangos it Emergencies: Patiki Hanover, Quick Reply,

Race 10 T 10.40 JOHN ANDREW FORD FAIRMONT PACE $6100; C2; mobile; 2200m 1 3064 Western Fella 1. . . . . . J. Langdon It 2 12 Sobriety 2 . P. Ferguson It 3 7618 Flash Bromac 3. . . . . .J. Stormont It 4 7460 Tales of Tabella 4 . . . . '.F. Cooney It 5 8511 Birchlea Farr 5 . . . . . . D. Butcher It 6 296 Kathys Cobber 6. . . . . G. Chilcott It 7 7684 Lady Carlina 1 ... . G. Wolfenden it 8 113 Romac Bromac 8. . . . . . G. Hillier it 9 6456 David MacFaber 9 . . M. McKendry it 10 9207 Diamond Row 10. . . . . -W. Larsen it 11 6957 Na Doc 11 . . . P. Young It 12 1200 Dark Albatross 12 . . . . . N. Driver It 14 6230 Spectacular Bid 14. . . . B. Mangos It 15 0203 Brazen Lord 15. , . . . . . G. Harris It 16 0908 Movie Star 16 .P. Wolfenden It 18 0778 Davron 18 It 19 3426 Mister Cee 19 It Emergencies: Na Doc, Spectacular Bid, Tales of Tabella, Davron, Movie Star. Scratched: Sandy Jay, Butler’s Bunny.