Tussle on for Rowe Cup honours

Press, 15 May 1987, Page 24

Tussle on for Rowe Cup honours

Special correspondent Auckland Tussle’s disasppointing sixth on the opening night of the Auckland Trotting Club’s Rowe Cup carnival last Saturday did little to dim the hopes of her connections that she can repeat her Rowe Cup success of 1985 and win the $125,000 feature again at Alexandra Park tomorrow night Her regular attendant Sally Marks, said yesterday that she was not perturbed in the slightest when Tussle, which is noted for her scintillating final sprint only battled into sixth behind the in-form Admiral Soanai. “It wasn't such a bad run really,” said Marks, “And I didn’t expect her to go very well from that draw.” Tussle drew the inside of the second line in the mobile 2200-metre Meadowset Graphics Trot and was trapped three back on the rails for most of the way. . When Tussle gained sufficient racing room in the run home she only plugged, an observation confirmed by her driver, Peter Jones, who could not explain the lapse in form. Good horses can invariably overcome an obstacle such as a bad draw. Tussle’s great sprint, which was evident when she won at Claudelands in January, was nowhere to be seen last Saturday. Being the great competitor that she is, Tussle can be expected to give those handicapped in front of her a fight to end all fights in seeking the winner’s share attached to the $125,000 Metropolitan Life Rowe Cup. Should Tussle emerge successful tomorrow night, she would become the first trotter ever to win the Dominion Handicap, Inter-Dominion Trotters’ Grand Final and Rowe Cup in the same season.

Tussle will start from the backmark of 15 metres in the 3200 m marathon. She has been penalised 5m for her win last November in the Dominion Handicap at Addington, where she beat Jenner (10m) and Melvander (front) after a titanic struggle. The remarkable 10-year-old Tuft— Kimmer mare is such a grand beginner that it would not be surprising to see her up among the leading division before very long. Game Ebony, which beat Tussle on her merits on the final night of the InterDominion carnival at Addington in March, will arrive in Auckland this afternoon.

The six-year-old half-brother of the former fine trotting mare, Downsouth Clare, has been in fine form in Victoria recently, winning three of his last four starts and finishing second in the other.

His effort when second, at Moonee Valley on April 25, was most notable for he lost all of 200 m at the start, after breaking, and got within three-quarters of a length of the winner, Highly Likely. A fine stayer, Game Ebony will most probably start from the extreme outsidp on the front and he would be very hard to catch if allowed to make the play in the lead.

Admiral Soanai, so impressive when winning again on the second night, Landora’s Pride, Jenner and Minbar Lee, a newcomer td this class, will also carry their share of support Brian Gleeson, Admiral Soanai’s driver, was most impressed with Wednesday’s win, his second for the meeting. Jenner, like Tussle, will be attempting to win his second Rowe Cup. He defeated the grand trotter, Sir Castleton, by a nose in 1984. Race 4 D, T, TF 7.45 METROPOLITAN LIFE ROWE CUP $125,000; OC; trotters; 3200 m 1 9290 Dragon’s Pride 1 T. Knowles It Br g, Byrs, by Game Pride — Select Way. Trainer N. J. Taylor, East Tamaki. Was a close second to Tussle in this race two years ago. Has been battling to find worthwhile form and would have to improve greaUy to be in with a winning chance. Record: 91 starts, 17 wins, 9 seconds, 5 thirds, $92,792. Colours: Red, gold braces, white sleeves and cap. 2 8403 Sorgalina 2 . . It B m, 6yrs, by Sergio Hanover — Lady Evalina. Trainer; D. M. Alexander, Ohaupo. Was a fast-finishing third in weaker company on second night Good two miler but unlikely to get a start Record: 97 starts, 6 wins, 14 seconds, 9 thirds, $35,680. Colours: Royal blue, red and grey chequered crossed sashes, blue cap. 3 3106 Tobago 3 It B g, 4yrs, by Game Pride — Ann’s Globe. Trainer: R. H. Jenkins, South Hillend. Did quite well when sixth on second night after getting a long way back in the running. Dual acceptor unlikely to get a start in this. Record: 32 starts, 8 wins, 1 second, 4 thirds, $44,390. Colours: Cerise, gold sash, blue sleeves, gold armbands and cap. 4 5629 Joe 4. . . . ; B. Anderson It B g, syrs, by Count Bay — Brecon Mini. Trainer: B. J. Anderson, Cambridge. Ran on late after breaking badly early on, for a reasonable ninth on the second night Is an under-rated sort which could be prominent with luck in the running. Record: 35 starts, 7 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds, $27,897. Colours: Emerald green, black hoop and cap. 5 0702 Mister Square 5 T. Milina It B g, Byrs, by Tuft — Little Eagle. Trainer: T. Milina, Helensville. Has been around for some time and occasionally bobs up with a good performance. Ran on well when second to Admiral Soanai on second night. Record: 127 starts, 16. wins, 14 seconds, 12 thirds, $57,505. Colours: White, green stars, gold sleeves and cap. 6 9173 Game Command 6.... I. Cameron It Blk g, Byrs, by Game Pride — Cee Day. Trainer: I. R. Cameron, Rangiora. Honest campaigner which fought on without threatening when third to Admiral Soanai and Mister Square on the second night Place chance seems brightest Record: 101 starts, 14 wins, 13 seconds, 8 thirds, $72,380. Colours: Orange, brown stars, sleeves and cap. 7 6455 Indette 7 0. Purdon It B m, 7yrs, by Boyden Hanover — Librette. Trainers: R. C. and B. Purdon, Clevedon. Seldom guilty of a poor performance but is finding it tough to match the “big guns.” Is capable on her day and has good barrier and racing manners. Record: 83 starts, 20 wins, 7 seconds, 10 thirds, $99,288. Colours: Silver grey, blue spots, grey cap. 8 0614 Our Collsen 8 M. Purdon It B m, 6yrs, by Sergio Hanover — Miss Otaua. Trainers: R. C. and B. Purdon, Clevedon.

Selections

<.!•: Westham, One’s Pride, Sergallna. •.4k Time Lag, Shot, Butler’s Bunny. 7.»5: Lord Toronaga, Spectacular Bid, Rue Bromac. 7.45: Tussle, Game Ebony, Admiral Soanai. 8.15: Tobago,.Bellam, Fergy’s Rocket 8.4 k Keystone Surprise, Michele Bromac, Comedy Lad. 8.85: Vance Neebray, Doc’s Own, Hayburner. ».Jk Victoria Star, Sholty’s First Supreme Chip. ' 8.55: Quick Reply, Flying Free, Smooth Tina. 18.28: Kasabar, Rex Revue, The Benz.

Up and coming mare which was a good fourth on the opening night of the carnival. Capable of giving the favoured runners a run for their money. Record: 57 starts, 9 wins, 8 seconds, 6 thirds, $47,147. Colours: Emerald green, grey braces, white cap. 9 1031 Minbar Loo 9 A. Herlihy It Br m, syrs, by Gaines Minbar — Marylee. Trainer: M. J. Stormont Pukekohe. One of the better young trotters in commission in the north. Qualified for cup • with game win on opening night of the carnival and must be respected. Very tough stayer. Record: 32 starts, 7 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds, $26,885. Colours: Cream, mauve maltese cross and sleeves, cream cap. 10 2505 Wostham 10 S. Miller It Blk g, 6yrs, by Armbro Del — Special Princess. Trainer: S. M. Miller, Blenheim. Tough and genuine stayer which seldom performs poorly. Was a useful fifth on second night. Needs a scratching to make the field. Record: 34 starts, 6 wins, 5 seconds, 5 thirds, $43,855. Colours: Emerald green and red chequers, red sleeves, green cap. 111413 Landora’s Pride 11. . . .J. Langdon It Blk m, 7yrs, by Game Pride — Landora. Trainer: C. T. Allingham, Pukekohe. Grand mare which finished a close second to Mairo Sultan in last year’s Rowe Cup. Strong-finishing third to Admiral Soanai and Jenner on the first night and looks a fine each way prospect. Record: 75 starts, 23 wins, 12 seconds, 14 thirds, $182,577. Colours: Red, white maltese cross and sleeves, red armbands, red and white quartered cap. 12 4832 Ono’s Pride 12 It B g, 6yrs, by Game Pride — Cilena. Trainer. M. J. Stormont, Pukekohe. Good second to Count Your Blessings on second night. Record: 38 starts, 6 wins, 6 seconds, 5 thirds, $24,650. Colours: Cream, mauve maltese cross and sleeves, cream cap. 13 1112 Game Ebony 13 I. Lee (Vic) It Blk g, 6yrs, by Black Gamecock — Lucy Clare. Trainer: I. R. Lee, Victoria. Outstanding trotter which defeated Tussle on final night of the Inter-Dominion Championships at Addington. Has been in grand form in Australia recently and should be hard to beat Record: 87 starts, 19 wins, 9 seconds, 10 thirds, $120,235. Colours: White, mauve triangle, white cap. 14 3480 Melvander 14 ...... J. Smolensk! It Blk h, 6yrs, by Great Evander — Lady Melissa. Trainer: P. J.. Robertson, West Melton. Fine trotter which has been disappointing in two latest attempts at Alexandra Park. Is much better than recent form suggests and should not be overlooked. Record: 61 starts, 10 wins, 11 seconds, 9 thirds, $110,725. Colour*: Royal blue, white crossed sashes, gold armbands and cap. 15 4007 Troppo 15 S. Little It B h, 7yrs, by Trowbridge — Miss Sue. Trainer: S. P. Little, Motukarara. Useful trotter which performed well at Addington during the Inter-Dominions. Has not flattered in two starts at Alexandra Park but could manage a place with a peak effort. Record: 69 starts, 7 wins, 6 seconds, 9 thirds, $31,090. Colours: Royal Blue, white braces and cap. 16 2130 Yankee Loch UR. .. J. Carmichael It B g, syrs, by Yankee Reb — Heatherloch. Trainer: J. A. Carmichael, Templeton. Broke badly and was pulled up on the second night. Was a close second to Jenner and Tussle at Addington two starts back on April 18. Record: 46 starts, 7 wins, 6 seconds, 5 thirds, $33,275. Colours: Blue, gold hoop and sleeves, blue cap. 17 7611 Admiral Soanai 1. >. . . B. Gleeson 10 B g, 9yrs, by Game Price — Cultured. Trainer: J. McGill, Ohaupo. His two efforts at the meeting so far have been most convincing and he must rate a fine chance. Won the Dominion Handicap ■ (3200 m in 1985. Record: 99 starts, 17 wins, 11 seconds, 7 thirds, $150,135. Colours: Pink, green crossed sashes and cap. 18 7124 Janner 2 C. de Filippi 10 Blk g, 9yrs, by Game Pride — Distinction. Trainer: J. Carmichael, Templeton. Defeated Tussle over 2600 m at Addington on April 18 and has run two honest races since then at this meeting. Record: 156 starts, 31 wins, 29 seconds, 18 thirds, $258,670. Colours: Blue, gold hoop and sleeves, blue cap. 19 1226 Tussle 1 . .P. Jones 15 B m, 10yrs; by Tuft — Kimmer. Trainer: C. H. G. Irvine, Halswell. Outstanding mare which was disappointing when sixth on the first night. Has good record over 3200 m and won this race two years ago.

Record: 88 starts, 31 wins, 19 seconds, 7 thirds, $440,175. Cotours: White, red sleeves, red and white quartered cap. . Emergencies: Westham, Tobago, Ono’s Pride, Sergalina.' " The race will bo televised live on Television One with the coverage starting at 7.30 pjn. The transmission win dose at • p.m. Race 5 8.15

Jetbet: 3 Race 1 6.10 THE ROPE CENTRE HANDICAP TROT $6455; C3; 2700m. 1 0007 Genius 1 R. Clapperton It 2 7066 Mio Chip* 2 . . . . . . I. Cameron It 3 1610 Young Spike 3 . . . . . . C. Bradley It 4 4995 Colour My World 4. . J. Carmichael It 5 9758 Mountain Peaks 5 . . ... .J. Smith It 6 7970 Game Yank 6 .... .J. Cole It 7 0078 Tuarangi Guy 1. . . . . . . D. Hayes 10 8 9000 Braidie (UR) . A. Jamieson 10 9 2307 Midnight Special 1. . . . A. Herlihy 20 10 7724 Laredo 2 . . . C. Butler 20 11 1037 Hey Peter 3 . . . W. Oliver 20 12 9940 Great Life 4 .P. Wolfenden 20 131041 Count Your Blessing* (UR)B. Anderson 20 14 2505 Westham 1 . . . S. Miller 30 16 8403 Sergalina 3 .D. Alexander 30 17 0009 Mendespride 4 ... . 30 18 0870 Take it Easy 5 ... . . M. Nicholas 30 19 4832 Ono’* Pride 6 M. McKendry 30 ' Emergencies: Genius, Take It Easy, Braidie. . Scratched: Tree. Race 2 T 6.40 D.B. DRAUGHT PACE » $6700; C3 and C4; mobile; 2200m. 1 5030 Aramiro Lad 1 . . . . . . . P. Young It 2 9051 Willy Run 2 . . B. Mangos It 3 0741 Butler’s Bunny 3 . . . . . . .P. Davis It 4 5383 The Comtshman 4 . . . G. McMillan It 5 2786 Folk's Hanover 5 . . . . . D. Gibbons It 6 3147 Taikitimu Vance 6 . . .P. Wolfenden It 71160 Vance Bay 7 . . J. Langdon It 8 9878 Mud Fever 8 . . . C. Driver It 9 6252 Valunga 9 . A. Vallender It 10 5209 Kelvins Boy 10 ... . . ... F. Kirk It 11 8878 McFella 11 It 12 0374 Shamrock Prince 12. . . . G. Small It 13 2029 Stirling Counsel 13. . . P. Ferguson 14 14 9080 Fleet Rover 14 ... . . .1. Jamieson It 15 00 Gayles Gain 15 ... . . . .F. Cooney It 16 5332 Shot 16 . . . .A. Milne It 17 6790 Chipway 17 It 18 2215 Time Lag 18 . . M. Purdon It Emergencies: Fleet Rover, McFella, Chipway, Gayles Gain. Race 3 T 7.5 RADIO PACIFIC PACE $6100; C2; mobile; 2700m. I 2732 Windsor Mccoy 1. . . . . .0. Purdon It 2 199 Glenlivot 2 . M. Stormont It 3 9570 Na Doc 3 . . . P. Young It 4 5100 Belle Jane 4. .... . . . B. Mangos It 5 0158 Rue Bromac 5 ... . . ... C. Rose It 6 8600 Distinct Fella 6 . . . . .C. De Filippi It 7 0 Truffle 7 . . J. Baldwin 8 8 4600 Tales of Tabella 8 . . ... .F. Cooney It 9 8804 Alvarez 9 J. Carmichael It 10 2070 Diamond Row 10. . . . . .W. Larsen It 11 0080 Star Status 11 . . . . . . D. Butcher It 12 0512 Spectacular Bid 12. . . . A. Herlihy It 13 1416 Lord Toronaga 13 . . .P. Wolfenden It 14 8850 Wave Dancer 14 . . . M. McKendry It 15 0331 Tahekeroa Bret 15 . . . M. Nicholas It 16 1058 Brief Flight 16 ... . .... J. Gray It 17 0619 Tapora Jack 17. ... . . . G. Small It 18 0600 Honest Vance 18. . . It Emergencies: Diamond Row, Honest Vance. Star Status, Truffle.

T.N.T. GRADUATION HANDICAP TROT $6055; three and four-year-olds: 2400m. I 3473 Idta Scott I . . D. Gibbons It 2 3 Wmotemarama 2 . . .. . . . .R. Ogg It 3 9036 Kata Drawn 3. . . . It 4 1544 Tramline WWta 4. . . . . . C Butler. It 5 0017 Madam Caattaton 1 J. Carmichael 10 6 93 Konniquo 2 M. McKendry 10 7 3406 Gama Rab 3 . . R. Bowker 10 8 1000 Winter Song 4 . . . . M. Nicholas 10 9 0400 Dark Beauty 5 . . . . . . .G. Harris 10 10 2322 Beltam 6 . . A. Herlihy 10 11 0613 ArtMia 7 . ... L. Chin 10 12 0138 Mist Iguaaaou 8 . . . . M. Branch 10 13 2020 Evandal 9 . M. Stormont 10 14 01 Gama Daa 10... . . J. Langdon 10 15 3106 Tobago 1. 30 16 6766 Fargy’s Rocket 2 . . . D. McGowan 30 Emergency: Konnique. Race 6 D 8.40 WINTER CUP HANDICAP PACE $20,000; C8; 3200m 1 7045 Star Of Shanghai 1 F. Kirk It 2 0122 Michele Bromac 2 . . . H. Timmons It 3 80d0 Skippar Venter 3. . . . M. Nicholas It 4 2125 Levendi 4 . G. Wolfenden It 5 8630 Robindate Lord 5. . . R. Wolfenden It 6 3444 Regional Bromac 6. . . M. Stormont It 7 7311 Keystone Surprise 1 . . R. Cameron 10 28 8987 Traitors Gate 1 . . . . . . . T. Milina 9 5769 Our Mana 2 . . C. de Filippi 20 10 2130 Rum Brydon 1 . . . . . . D. Butcher 30 11 8256 Banl . . . . G. Reaks 35 12 4563 Comedy Lad 2 . . . ... A. Herlihy $ 35 Race 7 .05 BEAUMONT SHIPBROKERS PACE $8100: C5-7; mobile; 2200m 1 3099 Golden Nero 1 . . . . . . . P. Young It 2 0037 Hanover Gold 2. . . . M. Nicholas It 3 5118 Vance Neebray 3. . . . . . C. Butler It 4 1441 Doc’s Own 4 ... . It 5 1067 Lyn’s Song 5 . . . . It 6 1313 Peter Baker 6. . . . . . A. Herlihy It 7 6202 Reggies Mate 7. . .. 8 4008 Macbutt 8 .... J. Gray . . T. Knowles It It 9 8699 Bogart Command 9 .P. Wolfenden It 10 8321 Hayburner 10 ... . . . . G. Harris ;t 11 5804 American Style 11 .. ... J. Curtin It 12 0601 Reilly 12 . . B. Mangos It 13 0090 Spinnan 13 . . J. Langdon It Race 8 9.30 CURTINS FARM LADYSHIP STAKES PACE $18,000; three-year-old fillies; mobile; 2200m 1 3879 Smooth Tina 1 . . . . . A. Herlihy It 2 2007 Saieda Girl 2 ... . . . J. Langdon It 3 2908 Saigon Dream 3 . . .... J. Gray It 5 1121 Victoria Star 5 . . . . . .1. Hilliard It 6 5955 Virginia Tuck 6. . . . . B. Mangos It 7 2448 Navy Lady 7 . C. de Filippi .It 8 0926 Rosewood Smooth 8 . . P. Butcher It 9 5202 Supreme Chip 9 . . . . . .P. Jones It 10 2112 Sandy Jay 10 ... . . . D. Butcher It 11 5953 What a Pacer 11 . . . . . G. Harris it 12 2006 Smooth Rowan 12 . . . R. Mitchell It 13 1634 Sholty’s First 13 . . ... J. Curtin it 15 2216 Sweet Innocence 15 . . . . R. Dunn • It 16 3106 Doc’s Trick 16 ... . . M. Nicholas It 17 3813 Young Eden 17. . . . ... .A. Milne It 18 1850 Trim Lass 18 . . . P. Miller It 19 7930 Thai Dara Lilina 19 . . . C. Evans it Emergencies: Trim Lass Saigon Dream, Smooth Tina. Scratched: Everllte, Surmogal. Race 9 9.55 JOHN ANDREW FORD PACE. $5300; Cl; mobile; 2700m 1 0400 Stanley Steamer 1D. Van Der Werf It 2 9931 Flying Free 2 . . K. Neither It 3 3860 Morano Lord 3 ... . It 4 4247 Cherie’s Fella 4. . . . . . . . D. Blair It 5 8938 Invader 5 . . P. Butcher It 6 2194 Quick Reply 6. . . . . . . .A. Purdon It 7 6100 Adios Bingen 7. . . . . . . ,T. Shaw It 8 7587 Nyallo’s Admiral 8 . . . P. Ferguson It 9 0404 Kala Silk 9 It 10 Rosslare 10 ..... . It 110192 Karumba Dream 11 . It 12 1657 Hitchin 12 . .J. Stormont It 14 3879 Smooth Tina 14 . . . It 15 407 Glideaway 15 It 16 9607 Formula One 16 . . . it 17 0262 Jackpot 17 It 18 1007 Meriden 18 . . . . S. Reid it Emergencies: Formula One, Morano Lord, Nyallo’s Admiral. Scratched: Ryal Hanover. Race 10 10.20 UBD PACE $5000; CO; mobile; 2700m 1 3473 Striking Sharvid 1 . . M. McKendry it 2 Skip Du Jour 2. . . . It 3 Smooth Bands 3 . . . It 4 9603 Stella's Star 4 . . . G. Reaks it 5 The Snip 5 It 6 0300 Dun Mountain 6 . . . . . . G. Martin it 7 3852 Kasabar 7 . C. de Filippi It 8 6409 Ski Direct 8 W. McKendry It 9 Riverina Princess 9 . it 10 070 Marcus William 10 . . . . T. Phillips It 11 8630 Best Quality 11... . R. Clapperton It 12 2460 Rex Revue 12 it 13 2 Skipper Earl 13. . . . . . G. Harris It 14 Espalato . . T. Milina It 15 The Benz 15 it 16 6255 Notable 16 . M. Purdon it 17 004 Turdor Bruce 17 . . . . .W. Larsen It 18 062 Captain Solo 18 . . . P. Wolfenden It Emergencies: Marcus William, Skip Du Jour, Smooth Bands, The Snip.