Simon Katz and Anthony Butt a tough combination to beat

Press, 20 November 1987, Page 27

Simon Katz and Anthony Butt a tough combination to beat

By

JEFF SCOTT

The eight-year-old Chertsey squaregaiter, Simon Katz, and his youthful reinsman, Anthony Butt, aged 20, have clicked so successfully this season that they are hard to go past in the $125,000 D.B. Dominion Trotting Handicap at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington tomorrow evening.

Since Butt was handed the reins behind Simon Katz by his father-in-law to be, Dick Prendergast, back in September, the Templeton reinsman has gained three wins, a second and a third with the horse in six drives. Prendergast chimed in himself with a drive behind the horse at Oamaru in October, the day the Noble Lord gelding finished strongly to catch all but Tyron Scottie in the track record time of 3:22.2 for the 2600 m. This will be the third drive in a Dominion Handicap for Butt, the leading junior reinsman. He partnered Tussle to her fourth placing in Basil Dean’s Dominion triumph in 1984, and he drove the northerner, Captain Carthew, to run eighth in 1985. Simon Katz has had two attempts at the race too, running fair races for fifth in the last two renewals, but now seems at the peak of his career. Placed in 4:12.5 for the 3200 m when a fast-closing second to Tyron Scottie at Ashburton in September, Simon Katz outfinished Tyron Scottie in the 2000 m sprint on N.Z. Cup day, then produced a superlative performance to win on Show Day in 3:19.77 for the mobile 2600 m after being shunted four wide around the field a lap from home. His toughest opponent tomorrow may be last term’s Rowe Cup winner in record time, Landora’s Pride, which finished stoutly to beat all but Simon Katz on Show Day. Jetbet: 3 Race 1 5.35 THE STAR MOBILE PACE $6750; C 4 and 5; 2600 m 1 8264 Nat 1 P. Shand It 2 2130 Beau Pear 2 J. Carmichael It 3 63 Iffy Try ax 3 . R. Butt It 4 690 Precipitate 4 D. Nyhan It 5 6108 Jenny Benny 5 R. Brosnan It 6 7001 Society Lord 6 C. de Filippi It 7 0603 Chummy 7 M. de Filippi It 8 8777 Farm Maid 8 R. Gillespie It 9 0480 Ruling Skipper 9 M. Rennie It 10 1332 Hoodlum’* Fella 10. . K. W. O’Reilly It 11 1541 Speedy Cheval 11 . . . Grant Payne It 13 0 Megatrend 13 M. McKendry It 14 1122 Ankorman 14 R. Cameron It 15 0069 Citation 15 J. Noble It 16 0 Mark Seven 16 M. Smolensk! It Emergency: Mark Seven. Scratched: Nardin’s Belle. Race 2 6.05 FIRESTONE HIGH PERFORMANCE MOBILE MILE $5250; C2; one mile 1 4981 Mayhem 1 P. Shand It 2 4173 Canasta King 2 I. Cameron It 3 7174 All the Rage 3 R. May It 4 9355 Princess Jilaire 4 A. Butt It 5 3154 Festive Heir 5 M. McKendry It 6 7338 Haughty Choice 6 . . . . . R. Austin It

The Game Pride mare, which finished fourth to Tussle in the race last year, is racing as well as ever. Tyron Scottie is a newcomer among the open ranks, but what he lacks in experience, he makes up for in ability. The winner of five of his 16 starts last term, the five-year-old Noodlum gelding showed his toughness with a 4:12.9 winning track record run at Ashburton in September after being wide with cover throughout the entire race and he cannot be underrated.

Jenner, the remarkable 10-year-old, is contesting the South Island’s feature event for trotters for the fifth time. The runner-up in the last two years, behind Tussle and Admiral Soanai, respectively, Jenner was third in 1984, fifth in 1983, and also finished fifth as a five-year-old in 1982.

The 1984 Rowe Cup victor will be a sentimental favourite to add the Dominion Handicap to an elusive double, and has a strong form background going into the race. He recorded 4:11.8 (placed) when third at Ashburton from 20m behind in September. Tussle has only had one race back this season and has to be taken on trust, while Troppo, the surprise runner-up to Landora’s Pride in the Rowe Cup, has trotted three fine races this time up, and could threaten the favourites. Luxury Liner has to be the horse they all have to beat in the first leg of the T.A.B. double, the Christchurch Airport Travelodge Mobile Free-For-All. 7 1469 Twilight Time 7 M. de Filippi It 8 1 Waituti 8 J. Hay It 9 1033 Anjin San 9 ......... P. Young It 10 5235 Admiral Charles 10 R. Beck It 11 1080 Ivory 11 L. May It 12 2607 Little River 12 B. Court It 13 5381 Lady Rana 13 C. de Filippi It 14 0110 Kaye Martyn 14 R- Dunn It Emergencies: Haughty Choice, Princess Jilaire, Little River, Ivory. Raes 3 T 6.40 KEIGHLEYS TIMBER HANDICAP PACE $8500; C 6; 3200 m 1 1008 Mythical 1 R. Brosnan It Faded to eighth over 2600 m on Show Day. Won, this course arid distance, in September and could be at false odds. 2 0 Brutus Hanover 2 J. Curtin It No dash when resuming over this distance on Tuesday. Hard to fancy. 3 0568 Dream Lustre 3 A. Butt It Has not raced since Ashburton failure in September. 4 6050 Travel Warrant 4 A. Musson It Never in contention from 30m on Tuesday. 5 879 Free's Best 5 E. Cowie It Has failed to impress in three outings this term. Useful stayer at best and could surprise.

6 5252 Light Foyle 6 K. O’Reilly It Top run for second behind Emcee over 2600 m on Show Day. Rugged stayer with excellent prospects. 7 7126 World of Fame 7. . . .G. Thompson It Good effort behind Emcee on Cup day. Won over this distance at Motukarara last month and rates an upset chance. 8 4615 False Image 8 M. de Filippi It Impressive winner on N.Z. Cup day but only fair effort against four-year-olds on Show Day. Chance. 10 5484 Andronicus 2 P. Wolfenden 10 Plucky effort for fourth after racing parked on Show Day. Has ability as a stayer and worth considering. 11 8700 Master Vance 3. . . . M. McKendry 10 Form very ordinary. 12 4627 Microscopic 4. . . .P. O’Reilly, jun. 10 Top run for second to Emcee on Cup day but did not have the best of runs when seventh behind that runner on Show Day. Hard to beat. 13 7699 Henry Hoover 1 J. Hay 20 Once promising type struggling to find form. 14 6540 Aran Blaze 2 K. Townley 20 Best efforts over sprint journeys. 15 7663 Viewfield Prince 3 .... I. Cameron 20 Improved effort for third behind Emcee on Show Day. Very good when at peak. 16 4336 Laser Lad 4 P. Jones 20 Big run for third behind Michele Bromac and Keystone Surprise on Cup day and charged home late for sixth behind Emcee on Show Day. Capable of winning this. Scratched: Imperial Time. Race 4 T 7.10 RAY COUPLAND MOBILE TROT $7250; C4-C6; 2000 m 1 466 Beau’s Delight 1 R. May It Made ground solidly on Show Day. Nicely drawn and rates a chance. 2 0670 Kahuna Pele 2 E. Cowie It Weak effort on Show Day. Can produce brilliant speed when caught in mood and capable of leading throughout. 3 6856 Sheltoe 3 R. Brosnan It Struggling to find form and may find this a shade rich. 4 000 Lustre Fella 4 J. Hay It Form poor. 5 0000 Milford Ace 5 1. Cowie It Form very poor. 6 5400 Westham 6 S. Miller It Has had little luck in recent racing and ideally suited to this type of race. Hard to beat. 7 1201 Point Away 7 .... P. O’Reilly, jun It Upset winner on Show Day. Will find this tougher. 8 5365 Lucky Yank 8 T. McMillan It Honest type seldom guilty of a poor performance. Respected. 10 3450 Joe Junior 10 P. Jones It No danger on Show Day. Earlier efforts sound and worth considering for longer odds. 11 1313 Bellam 11 F. Newfield It Brilliant winner on Cup day and desperately unlucky when forced over extra ground on Show Day. Likely to start as favourite in spite of 12 108 Dancing Armbro 12 .K. McCormick It Resumed with stylish win at Hutt Park last month but not so impressive in two subsequent outings. 13 5830 Great Life 13 P. Wolfenden It Solid late run for third behind Bellam on Cup day but never likely against Simon Katz and company on Show Day. Badly drawn but capable of figuring in finish. 14 4299 Classic Dee 14 R. Dunn It Has been a shade disappointing in two starts at meeting. Would have to improve. 15 7460 Linda Ellen 15 M. Howard It Little chance from this draw. 16 00 Doncella 16 T. Walsh It Would need more luck than she can expect to receive to even place in this company. Emergency: Milford Ace. Scratched: Jimmy Scott.

Race 5 T, TF 7.40 PICKABERRY THREE-YEAR-OLD CHAMPIONSHIP $30,000; three-year-olds; mobile; 2600 m 1 1131 Wait a Moment 1 J. Curtin It Brilliant late burst to catch Mood Maker over this distance on Show Day. Exciting youngster with bright winning chance. 2 6182 Mood Makar 2 K. Williams It No match for Wait a Moment last time out. Place chance looks best. 3 2692 Kincaid 3 A. Butt It Every chance when second in junior drivers’ event on Tuesday. Rough chance only. 4 14 Kiwi Supreme 4 K. Larsen It Won Sires’ Stakes heat in Imin 59.64 s at Invercargill on November 3 and outstanding run for fourth in final at Addington on Show Day. Hard to beat. 5 114 Metro Boy 5 R. Cameron It Ran on well for fourth behind Wait a Moment on Show Day. Early wins were at Waikouaiti and Addington on Cup Day. Respected. 6 3822 Top Vance 6 B. Purdon It Ran on stylishly for second to Dillon Dean in Sires’ Stakes final on Show Day. Will be among the favourites in this. 9 3115 Cardinal Star 9 C. de Filippi It Made ground well for fifth in Sires’ Stakes final, following impressive wins at Waikouaiti and Addington on Cup day. Badly drawn but capable of going close. 11 2947 Carnforth 11 M. de Filippi It Has proved costly in recent outings. This distance should suit and worth another chance. Scratched: Starship, Morrie, Tuff Lord. Race 6 D 8.10 CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT TRAVELODGE FREE-FOR-ALL $50,000; CO-OC; mobile; 2600 m 1 5821 Luxury Liner 1 A. Herlihy It The horse to beat after chasing Lightning Blue home in NZ Cup, then defeating that runner in the NZ Free-For-All. 2 0124 Gina Roaa 2. ... .J. W. Smolenski it Fought fairly after early tangle on Cup day. Could place with run to suit. 3 3406 Master Mood 3 K. Williams it Not far away in NZ Free-For-All, failing to quicken after getting trail. Could improve enough to show his true colours here. 4 1148 Sossy 4 R. Brosnan It Never clear on Show Day after solid finish in NZ Cup three days earlier. Always thereabouts. 5 2737 Skipper Dale 5 P. O'Reilly It Fought well in NZ Cup for third, then little luck in Free-For-All being three wide for entire race. Not far away at finish and should go close. 6 1790 Metal Mickey 6 .... M. McKendry It No danger from difficult draws on first two days of Cup meeting, but still hard to see threatening here. 7 5769 Rolls Hunover 7 R. Butt it Fair finish for sixth in NZ Cup, but never close from bad draw on Show Day. 8 8890 Freightman 8 M. de Filippi It Not fancied. 9 2110 Michele Bromac 9 ... C. de Filippi It Smart win in lower grade on Cup day, but battled in run home in NZ Free-For-All on Show Day. 10 1373 Frangelico 10 D. Nyhan It Tried hard in Free-For-All after getting good run through from second line. Drawn to track Luxury Liner throughout and cannot be risked. 11 Sir Alba 11 P. Jones It Making fresh start from Kerslake stable. Race 7 8.40 AMANDA VAUGHAN MEMORIAL PACE . $5000; two-year-olds; 2000 m 1 Mystic Mood 1 K. Williams It 2 3 Star Kingdom 2 I. Cameron It 3 0 Waihemo Comet 3 .... R. Brosnan It 4 7 Surmo Fella 4 M. de Filippi It 5 9 Lustre Lord 5 J. Hay It 6 5 Grobbelaar 6 A. Butt It 7 2 Unique Blue Chip 7. . Grant Payne It

8 1 Agile 8 J. Versteeg It 9 6 MacGyver 9. . ... .J. W, Smolenski It 10 4 Connor 10 K. W. O’Reilly It 11 80 Grampian 11 1. Sutherland It 12 0 Dilettante 12 B. Clark It 13 8 Kenzo 13 G. Hope It 14 Barney Go 14 G. D. Shand It 15 Lerwick Hanover 15 .... P. Shand It 16 Innocent Arc 16 B. Court It Emergencies: Waihemo Comet, Dilettante. Race 8 D, TF 9.15 D.B. DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP $125,000; DC; 3200 m 1 3112 Tyron Scottie 1 P. O’Reilly It Capable young trotter doing everthing asked of him. Trotted Ashburton track record 4:12.9 (3200 m in September, after sitting wide throughout and musts be respected. Colours: Red and white chequers, red cap. 2 2211 Simon Katz 2 A. Butt It A model of consistency which has won on his merits on the first two days of the meeting, after being wide in the running. Tough stayer and likely favourite. Colours: Red, black and gold chequered sash, white cap. 3 0098 Wedgewood 3 D. Townley It Out of form too long to be recommended. Colours: Green, gold crossed sashes, green cap. 4 1380 Golden Blue 4 H. Skinner It Broke on Cup day and others preferred. Colours: Cerise, gold sash, blue sleeves, gold armbands and cap. 5 2137 Your Honour 5 C. de Filippi It Ran on in both races on first two days of this meeting. Promising five-year-olds mare which cannot be left out of calculations. Colours: Green, gold hoop and sash, green and gold quartered cap. 6 2900 Game Ebony 6 .I. R. Lee it Top Australian trotter which disappointed on first two days of this meeting after ending up parked on both occasions. Trotted a sharp 4:13.03 when beating Tussle here in March, but take on trust. Colours: White, purple triangle, back and front. 7 264 Troppo 7 S. Little It Big finish late for second to Landora’s Pride in last term’s Rowe Cup. Running on purposefully in three races this campaign and appeals as the one tor odds. Colours: Royal blue, white braces and cap.

8 3195 Jamie Higgins 8 ... .M. de Filippi it Veteran which is usually up near the lead but others preferred at this distance. Colours: Light blue, black hoop, blue cap. 9 5383 Firm Offer 9 . B. Clark It Third in Rowe Cup two years back. Trotting soundly and capable of getting into the finish here. Colours: Black, white sleeves, red cap. 10 2000 Tobago 10 K. W. O’Reilly It Former top three and four-year-old trotter whose from has fallen away of late. Hard to like on recent showings. Colours: Cerise, gold sash, blue sleeves, gold armbands and red cap.

11 0175 Yankee Loch UR ... J. Carmichael It Another trotting sound races which would not surprise by getting into the finish. Colours: Blue, gold hoop and sleeves, blue tap. 121129 Admiral Soanai 1 B. Purdon 10

Dangerous front-runner if he can overcome handicap. Broke early on Show Day but earlier form impressive. Won this race two years ago. Colours: Pink, green crossed sashes and cap. 13 3440 Janner 2 .J. W. Smolenski 10 Evergreen trotter which just failed to beat Tussle in this race last year, and Admiral Soani in 1985. Tough stayer which cannot be overlooked. Colours: Blue, gold hoop and sleeves, mauve cap. 14 3392 Landora’s Pride 3 .... J. Langdon 10 Fast finish to win Rowe Cup in May in mares’ record of 4:12.8. Ran on well to beat all but Simon Katz on Show Day and good prospect for this. Colours: Red, white maltese cross and sleeves, red armbands, red and white quartered cap. 15 6 Tussle 1 P. Jones 15 Blew out when resuming on Show Day. Last year's winner, after being parked, which could go close again but will need luck. Colours: White, red sleeves, red and white quartered cap; Race 9 9.45 MEADOW MUSHROOMS PACE $4750; Cl; 2000 m 1 3054 Skywalker 1 G. Thompson It 2 1443 Hickory Wood 2 .... C. de Filippi It 3 0104 Lord Raja 3 P. Shand It 4 4209 Soho 4 ........ J. W. Smolenski It 5 771 Noddy Rae 5 K. W. O’Reilly It 6 0535 Sterlo 6 M. Edmonds It 7 6183 Lone Eagle 7 A. Butt It 8 8603 Ocean Ranger 8 I. Cameron It 9 237 Nat Marie 9 J. Curtin It 10 3367 Mistabell 10 G. Court It 11 2803 True Nat 11 M. de Filippi It 12 0229 Hoosemedad 12 P. Jones It 13 9213 Moody Miss 13 K. Williams It 14 4833 Princess Halsey 14 B. Court It 16 0205 Trebla 16 R. Stockdale It Scratched: Young Balfour. Race 10 10.15

CARTHY NISSAN MOBILE PACE $6000; C 3 and 4; 2600 m 1 4336 Netherton Abbe 1 . . .M. de Filippi It 2 7040 Blythbank Del 2 .... G. D. Shand It 3 2115 Cool Charm Girl 3 S. O'Brien it 4 5190 Le Marais 4 F. Newfield It 6 1182 En Passant 6 H. Skinner It 7 2341 Tempestuous 7 J. Hampton it 8 5221 Great Provider 8 K. Townley It 9 1640 Bonnie Lord 9 K. Larsen It 10 9481 Starwin Boy 10. . .J. W. Smolenski It 12 Young Eden 12 R. Brosnan It 14 9875 Kotare Pewter 14 R. Negus It 15 Maitre 15 A. Butt It 16 0949 Dynamic Beat 16 P. Jones It Scratched: Premier Bromac, Florlis Fella, Alvarez.