Three Australian pacers confirmed for N.Z. Cup

Press, 8 October 1987, Page 37

Three Australian pacers confirmed for N.Z. Cup

JEFF SCOTT

Bag Limit has been sidelined with injury again but three top Australian pacers, with a question mark hanging over a fourth, were yesterday confirmed as starters in the $300,000 Toyota New Zealand Cup at Addington Raceway next month.

The connections of Lightning Blue, Paleface Bubble and Sunset Candies, the first three home In the Inter-Dominion Pacing Final at Addington in March, have advised the club they are almost certain to return next month. '

"Michael Ilsley will run Paleface Bubble in the Kilmore Cup and if he makes a reasonable beginning in that (his first standing start race for three yean) he will be here," said the New Zealand Metropolitan Club racing secretary, Mr Tony Lye, yesterday. Paleface Bubble was back in winning form at Harold Park last Friday, taking out the Casteliorizan Cup by a nose in a swift 2:56.04 for the mobile 2350-metres, a mile rate of 2:00.8.

An emergency committee meeting of the Metropolitan club was being set down for this morning to

discuss whether they can also give the connections of top mare, Hyperstat, an assurance that the mare will get a start in the feature staying race. New Zealand open class pacers in line for a cup start at this stage are: Direct Kiwi, Freightman, Gaelic Skipper, Happy Sunrise, Levendi, Luxury Liner, Master Mood, Metal Mickey, Placid Victor, Rolls Hanover and Skipper Dale (11). Along with the three top Australians, this makes 14 possibles without allowing for the likelihood of several C 9 class horses also qualifying for a start over the next few weeks. Other open class pacers eligible but seemingly not having the cup on their programme are: Cinlmod Junior (now trained by A. G. and G. A. Martin), Comedy Lad, Rum Brydon, Spanker On and last

season’s New Zealand Messenger winner, Trident, which has yet to make a public appearance this term. Tentative flying arrangements for the Australians are; a flight to New Zealand on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 8 (two days before Cup day), with the Sydney Miracle Mile contenders flying back on Saturday, November 14 (the day after contesting the Air New Zealand Free-For-All on Show Day). Another flight to Australia is available on Monday, November 23, two days after the final night of the Cup meeting.

The connections of Henry Luca, which won the rich Commodore Championship at Albion Park last month, defeating Lightning Blue, have decided against a trip to Christchurch.

Tony Price, the trainer of Hyperstat and also the eight-year-old Times Run Out (also assessed at open class but not considered by the club as a starter in the New Zealand Cup), is keen to bring Hyperstat over early if she is assured of a cup start “He said he would make his own travel arrangements but is showing interest in running Hyperstat in the C 8 and faster pace at the Canterbury Park meeting on October 23 (15 days time),” said Mr Lye. “He thought he might still bring Times Run Out and run him in the CB-OC free-for-all on cup day, and leave him here after

the cup meeting finishes with Kevin Townley,” added Mr Lye. True Roman not coming Game Ebony is still a possibility for the $125,000 D.B. Draught Dominion Handicap at the meeting, but the connections of fellow top Australian trotter, True Roman, have advised they are not interested In campaigning the horse in New Zealand. “We have left a message for Dick Lee (the trainer of Game Ebony) of the stake and distance of the race with his wife and are waiting for him to get back to us,” said Mr Lye.