Superstar Championships notable for failure of favourites

Press, 11 September 1987, Page 23

Superstar Championships notable for failure of favourites

By

JEFF SCOTT

Three of the five DB Superstar Four-Year-Old Championships run by the New Brighton Trotting Club have been notable for the failure of favourites and there is another element of caution surrounding tonight’s likely favourite, Rostriever Hanover.

Unquestionably headed for the top, Rostriever Hanover comes back to a standing start in the first leg of the T.A.B. double this evening and although his trainer, Pat O’Reilly jun. has stated the horse has an aversion to this type of beginning, he cannot afford to be overlooked.

The gelding’s five wins to date have ail been from mobile starts, however his trainer, one of Canterbury’s finest younger horsemen, has no doubt worked overtime on the problem for tonight. Permission has been given for the use of removable earplugs which could be sufficient encouragement for the son of Plat du Jour to stay on terms with the field early.

Rostriever Hanover has endless amounts of stamina, having rated 2:1.5 for 2400 m mobile when winning the Champion Stakes in national record time last December and rated a quicker 2:1.3 for 2600 m mobile on the first night of the national meeting last month. There was plenty to admire about his narrow defeat by the five-year-old Happy Sunrise in a head-to-head duel at the end of a rousing sprint home over 2000 m mobile on the first night. That’s That did plenty of work in his C2 and faster trial on the first night, being parked three wide outside the leaders over the last 1200 metres. He was timed over his last 2400 m in 3:2.4 and his last mile in 2:00.7. He fought

gamely after being headed late by Tax Credit and Graecol and another performance of similar stature should take him close to a win in tonight’s Group Two feature.

Tax Credit is likely to improve more than most with his win last week, his first since April and his first run back from a succession of niggling injuries. He comes in 10m worse off this week after last'week’s success. Those looking for a price may find Application the horse to be on. The Lordship entire made up a ton of ground in the straight in C 3 and 4 mobile 2000 m pace last Saturday and ran into tight quarters near the finish, winding up a close-up seventh. He earlier showed his staying prowess by winning the Queen’s Birthday Stakes (2400 m stand) in late May in a national record for a three-year-old of 3:5. Kinda Smooth paced a useful race on the first night and could prove the best of the front-line horses, with Great Provider, Black Douglas and Graecol other in-form runners, capable of being in the thick of the finish.

Great Provider, a dashing maiden winner on the course in July, was having his first race since then last Saturday, being outfinished late by Black Douglas and is another distinct improver this week. Kevin Townley takes the drive tonight for Great Provider’s trainer, Graham Laing, who is nursing a broken arm. Race 2 TF 6.15

Rsco 3 6.45 VISTALITE ALUMINIUM HANDICAP PACE $7400; C 5: 3200 m 1 3156 Precipitate 1 D. Nyhan It Win four starts ago was in 3:21.72 (mobile 2600 m) at Addington, May 2. Trials winner nine days ago, last 800 m in 59.35. 2 2216 Mythical 2 J. W. Smolensk! It Ran on well late when resuming from second row on first night. This easier and leading prospect 3 4878 World of Fame 3. . . .G. Thompson it No danger on Tuesday off backmark. Win would surprise here. 4 9213 Sycamore UR B. Kerr It Big run on Tuesday after being used up In middle stages. Should go close again. 5 6293 Light Foyle 1 K. W. O’Reilly 10 Chased home Happy Sunrise and Rostriever Hanover on first night. Hororata Cup winner this distance in March. 6 0145 Whoopee 2 P, O”.<eilly 10 Kurow Cup (2600 m winner first-up last month and fair efforts since. Could go close. 7 0094 Travel Warrant 3 A. Musson 10 Last start fourth was at Blenheim in June. No trials form to recommend. 8 2620 Dream Lustre 4 J. Hay 10 Useful second to Guard of Honour at Addington, August 22, a good pointer to chances here. Proven stayer. 9 4537 Horizon 1 M. de Filippi 20 Third to Sossy, Loveridge, in 3:15.55 at Addington, August 22. Fourth in Canterbury Park Cup (3200 m in May. 10 7778 Aran Blaze 2 I. Cameron 20 Better suited by this type of race. Could place at good odds. Race 4 T 7.15 HORNBY HARDWARE MOBILE TROT $12,000; C5-OC; 2000 m. 1 0090 Wedgewod 1 D. Townley It Improvement needed. 2 2218 Lucky Yank 2 T. McMillan It Race not run to suit last Saturday after previous good form in lower grades. Could suprise if in touch with pace throughout. 3 6421 Jenner 3 J. W. Smolenski It Likely favourite. Good win in Ordeal Cup off backmark and comes in on much better terms here. 4 3006 Yankee Loch 4 .... J. Carmichael It . Broke late on first night when resuming. Likely improver. 5 3402 Joe Junior 5 P. Jones It Strong-finishing second in 4:15.19 (3200 m on first night. Rise in class here but cannot be discarded. 6 3100 Tobago 6 K. W. O’Reilly It Stand winner this distance in smart 2:35.5 on August 17, but has broken early in two starts since. Mobile should suit. 7 6553 Simon Katz 7 A. Butt It Improver’s third behind Jenner, Tyron Scottie, in Ordeal Cup on first night. Come in on better terms for this. 8 7064 Spangled Pride 8 F. Fletcher It Battled on for fourth In Ordeal Cup. Could improve further. 9 0035 Firm Offer 9 B. Clark It Useful fifth in Ordeal Cup after being wide in the open over the last 1300 m. Keep on side. 11 9150 Thais It 11 G. Hope It Pulled up on first night after losing two shoes. Good form previously and upset place prospect. .

12 0840 Game Command 12 ... I. Cameron It Promoted fourth two starts back. Further improvement needed. 13 2682 Tyron Scottie 13 P. O’Reilly It Provided feature of Ordeal Cup with brilliant late run. Has to be respected again. 14 7000 Linda Ellen 14 M. Howard It Never close when resuming on first night. Others preferred. 15 5877 Weatham 15. ....... . S. Miller It Blew out in Ordeal Cup. Should be improved but draw against Scratched: Front Up. Race 5 T 7.45 ANDREL MOBILE PACE $4500; Cl; junior drivers, 2000 m 1 4243 Hatton Prince 1 R. Austin It Consistent form background. Stout finisher from middle on first night. 3 7090 Varinia 3 G. Nyhan It Never close when resuming on Tuesday. 4 7087 Damp Deatiny 4 R. A. Butt it Winner two seasons back at Forbury but has failed to place in only six starts since. Trials form good. 5 7880 On Target 5 D. Earnshaw It Dropped out from third line when resuming on Tuesday. 6 5957 Tri Star 6 T. Butt It Buried on inner on Tuesday. Could get some of it. 7 5097 Koau Chime 7 A. Butt It Ran on after settling back In fillies and mares pace when resuming on Tuesday. Respect. 8 0003 Rachael Dawn 8 S. Enright It Unable to round off good run on outer on Tuesday. Should be thereabouts again. 10 5010 Rio Fillae 10 D. Leitch It Big finish to win 2600 m (stand) in 3:25.3 here last month. Must be considered. 11 6092 Big Chief 11 J. Lemon It Battled on late for second to Admiral Grace in mobile 2600 m on Tuesday. 12 0089 Susan Kay-12. .K. M. O’Reilly, jun. It No danger when resuming from second line on Tuesday. 13 0000 Frosty Morning 13 S. Scott It Dropped out to beat only one in fillies and mares pace on Tuesday. 14 2006 Lady Rana 14 T. Trathen It Battled on from fourth line inner when resuming on second night. Draw against tonight. Scratched: Viva Andorra, Women’s Lib. Race 6 D, TF 8.15 DB SUPERSTAR FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHAMPIONSHIP $40,000; four-year-olds; 2600 m 1 002 Graecol 1 G. O'Reilly It Ran on well after getting good run last Saturday, failing to beat Tax Credit by a head. Respect. 2 0610 Pizza Man 2 B. Kerr It Locked wheels early but dropped away to finish last in Tax Credit’s heat on first night. 3 2014 Kinda Smooth 3.. . . R. Cameron It Good fourth in Tax Credit’s heat last Saturday. Could be troublesome. 4 2405 Ankorman 4 L. O’Reilly It Fought on for close-up fifth in C2 and faster trial on first night. Useful stayer which could place. 5 3117 Charming George 5. . .F. Newfield It Tired last 100 m after being in open on first night. Capable of figuring in the finish. 6 0894 Yankee Wina 6 J. Curtin It Made ground well in C 3 and faster pace on Tuesday. This harder.

7 1210 Arctic Admiral 7.. J. W. Smolenski It Dropped away after leading on first

night 8 1245 Whata Pacer 8 .... J. Carmichael It Consistent form background but may be safely held here. 9 012 Great Provider 9 K. Townley It Headed late on first night after trying to lead over last mile. Sure to be improved and cannot be discarded. 10 8321 Black Douglas 10 P. Jones It Good finish to win in smart 3:22.96 in Cl trial on first night. This tougher but could still place. 11 2212 Rostriever Hanover 1 . . P. O’Reilly 10 Top pacer with Impeccable form background. Not the best of beginners but still entitled to be the one they all have to beat. 12 0146 False Image 2 M. de Filippi 10 Battled on for sixth in C2 and faster trial on first night. Useful stayer. 13 1397 Application 3 R. May 10 Big finish for unlucky seventh on first night. Smart and should be suited by strong pace. 14 3703 That’s That 1 R. Dunn 20 Paced his last mile In 2:00.7 after being three wide last 1400 m in the open on first night. A grand trial for this. 15 1121 Tax Credit 2 A. Butt 20 Resumed with narrow but impressive win last Saturday in 3:22.84 (2600 m Back 10m here, but should be improved and must take beating.

Race 8 D 9-15 LATIMER MOTOR LODGE MOBILE FREE-FOR-ALL $15,000; CB-OC; 2600 m 1 6966 Viewfield Prince 1 ...»I. Cameron it Fair sixths in last two outings indicate he is due to show improvement at short notice.

Drawn to be close up throughout. 2 7807 Freightman 2 M. de Filippi It Wilted when resuming in 2000 m (stand) Free-For-All on first night. Should be held. 3 0240 Frangelico 3 D. Nyhan It Disqualified after finishing third to Skipper Dale and Sossy on first night. Racing well and should be close up. 41131 Skipper Dale 4 P. O’Reilly It Coasted home on first night after making the lead a lap out. Comes in on better terms here and looks the one again. 51413 Rolle Hanover 5 R. Butt It , Made ground well last Saturday when resuming. Mobile should suit better and one of the leading fancies. 6 1151 Happy Sunrise 6 R. May It Boom pacer facing stiffest test to date. Doing everything asked of him and performance will be of major interest. 7 1112 Sossy 7 R- Cameron It Form hard , to fault. Fast finish last Saturday to beat all but Skipper Dale and must be 8 642! Loveridge 8 ..... J. W. Smolenski It Racing generously. Big run for second this distance two starts back.

Jetbet: 8 Race 1 5.45 CHEVALIER STANDARDBREDS PERTH HANDICAP TROT $5750; C3; 2600m 1 2151 Stanboy 1 .... P. Nairn it 2 3578 Daph’a Pride 2 . . . . . . F. Bennett It 3 6709 Soon 3 D. Butt it 45 5070 Sloe Lea 4 .... J. Curtin it 5 1260 Lucky Teap 5. . . . . J. Carmichael it 6 0006 Yankee Derby UR . . . I. Schwamm It 7 8010 Kahuna Pale 1 . . . ... J. Burrows 10 8 0180 Rebel Time 2 . . . . . . . . B. Nyhan 10 9 1403 Bohan 3 . . M. Hamilton 10 10 9083 Romorez 4 . . . . P. Ryder 10 11 5055 Boford 5 . . . G. O’Reilly 10 12 9984 Four Leaf 6 R. Dunn 10

CLYNE AND BENNIE MOBILE PACE $6200; C3 and C !4; 2600m 1 0001 Koau Light 1 . . . . A. Butt It 2 4190 Uncle Jasper 2 . . . . P. Blackmore It 3 0021 Handy Andy 3. . . . . . . P. O'Reilly It 4 4529 Kotare Pewter 4 . . . . . . R. Negus It 5 0160 Dynamic Beat 5. . . P. Jones it 6 9090 Mannie 6 . . T. McMillan It 7 0091 Farm Maid 7 ... . . . . G. O’Reilly It 8 5736 Beau Peer 8 . K. W. O’Reilly It 10 1455 Le Maraie 10 ... . . . .F. Newfield it 11 0085 Lordover 11 . . . . B. Nyhan It 12 8427 Alvarez 12 . J. Carmichael It 13 0336 Dunlord 13. .... . . . . . D. Nyhan It 14 3292 Floyd 14 . . . . R. Alfeld it 16 0002 Yankee Grin UR 2 R. May Scratched: Gipsy Colonel, Society Lord. It

Race 7 8.45 AVON CITY FORD PACE $5250; three-year-olds; 2600m 3 6343 Dixie fryax 3 C. Middleton it 4 Captain Steel 4 .F. Newfield It 5 75 Distinctive 5 . . D. Nyhan It 6 080 Bronze Mission 6. . . . . J. Burrows It 7 2 Nezumi Lord 7 .... . . . . B. Kerr It 8 9512 Quick Away 1 . . E. Cowie 10 9 0214 Meadow King 2 I. Schwamm 10 10 1656 Mistabell 3 . . .G. Court 10 Scratched: Rose and Crown, Willem Vink.

Race 9 RATTRAYS 1 $5250; four-year-o 1 0925 Personality Pate 1 . 9.45 ’ACE Ids; 2600m .... ,R. Dunn It 2 9908 Society Boy 2. . . . . . R. Cameron it 3 4848 Katikt 3 . . . . E. Cowie It 4 5888 Bobby 4 J, W. Smolensk! It 6 0055 Nickolina 6 . . M. Edmonds it 7 7645 Princess Hslsey 7 . B. Court It 8 133 Reuben Charles 8 . . .M. Smolensk! It 10 5354 Mascara 10 . ,M. de Filippi it 12 879 Kotare Platinum 12. R. May it Scratched: Scallywag, Little River, Cruising By. Race 10 10.15 MCARDLE AND O’ROURKE BLOODSTOCK PACE $5000; C2; 2600m 1 5041 Raspe 1 . . . M. Rennie it 2 5506 Cleft Le Van 2 . . . ... A. Musson it 3 0506 Ready to Go 3 . . . .... J. Curtin It 4 0613 Johnny Bogart 4 . . . K. W. O’Reilly It 5 0339 Badon 5 P. Jones it 6 8046 Calibration 6 . . . . . . . .S. Enright It 7 0728 Speedy Cheval. 7. . . . . . R. Payne It 8 1582 Awakite Dal 8. . . . R. May it 9 4498 Falcon Hanover 9. . ... J. Versteeg it 10 6834 Haughty Choice 10. , . . . . R. Austin it