Decision not to sell Sossy proves lucrative

Press, 23 November 1987, Page 35

Decision not to sell Sossy proves lucrative

By

JEFF SCOTT

A decision by Sossy’s trio of owners to turn down $lOO,OOO for the horse at the end of last season has been vindicated already this term. The five-year-old El Patron gelding took his earnings this season to $102,875 and his career earnings to $136,820 when he stormed home late to snatch victory from the favourite, Luxury Liner, in the Christchurch Airport Travelodge Free-For-All at Addington on Saturday. “I think he’ll be an even better horse next year. He’s from a breed that usually Improves with age (including the 1960 Auckland Cup winner Damian, Torrent and Diamond Hanover),” said Sossy’s Kerrytown trainer, Richard Brosnan. “He could do with perhaps being a bit more rugged,” said Brosnan of Sossy, which was recording his twelfth win from 32 starts on Saturday.

"There is a fine line with him — you’ve got to be careful not to overdo him.”

Brosnan gave Sossy an economical run four back on the inner as the pacemaker, Rolls Hanover, sped over the opening 400 m in 27.75, his first 800 m in 58.6 s and the opening mile In 2:00 in the first leg of the T.A.B.

aouoie. Weaving his way through in the run home, Sossy came fast along the inner to beat Luxury Liner, which settled In midfield and also finished stoutly wider out, by a nose. His 3:14.73 is the fourth fastest recorded for the mobile 2600 at Addington and represented a mile rate of 2:0.50. Brosnan will freshen both Sossy and his stablemate, Frangelico, a solid fourth on Saturday after blunting her finish by pulling fiercely after being unsettled by the mobile despatch, over the next few days then prepare them for the $400,000 Pacer-Kerridge Auckland Cup on December 30.

The stablemates are likely to race on only the last two nights of the meeting, both standing starts.

The second favourite, Master Mood, was held up by the tiring Freightman (in the open) across the top and ran on fairly when in the clear to finish seventh.

Carnforth stays best No amount of money, It seems, can buy Carnforth, which showed his true colours by outstaying a classy field of three-year-olds In the $30,000 Pickaberry Three-Year-Old Championship. “I’ve had some wonderful offers,” said his Marshland breeder-

owner-trainer, Mrs Nellie Winter. "The Race Ruler people wanted to syndicate him with myself retaining a sixth share last season and Brian O’Meara handed over an open cheque for him as a two-year-old, but I just pushed it back — what do I want to do with all that money at my age?” asked Mrs Winter.

“I’ve sold a lot in 50 years, including Raceway (the dam of the 1957 New Zealand Cup winner, Lookaway) to the late Clarrie Rhodes, and also Alfriston and Gerry Junior, but I’ve liked this one from the day he was dropped.” Mrs Winter confided back in the spring that she has her sights set on next year’s New Zealand Cup with the promising Smooth Fella colt, even at that stage. "I don’t think he’s as brilliant as the likes of Gerry Junior (which won eight in New Zealand and went 1:57 in North America), but he’s a dour stayer,” said Mrs Winter, which Camforth proved in no uncertain manner on Saturday. “The longer he goes the better he goes,” added Mrs Winter who is eyeing the Derby races in the autumn with some optimism.

After moving up In the open at the 1800 m after the leader, Wait A Moment, had sped over his opening 800 m in 59.35,

Camforth gained cover when Cardinal Star moved up in the open 1300 m out.

Angled into the clear with a little over 100 m left by Michael de Filippi, Camforth came strongly late to wear down Metro Boy by half a neck In a smart 3:19.95 for the mobile 2600 m. The favourite, Kiwi Supreme, which shot clear with 500 m left, was cut back to finish third, with Wait A Moment weakening to finish seventh. First win The Nevele R. Stud importation, Bo Scots Blue Chip (1:53.6), was credited with his first siring win when Unique Blue Chip outflnished the pacemaking favourite, Agile, to win the Amanda Vaughan Memorial Pace for two-year-olds. From the former useful Good Chase mare, Unique Princess (six wins), Unique Blue Chip is partowned and trained at Ashburton by Peter Boag. He gained the run of the race in the trail as Agile was taken on in front, running his first 400 m in 32.45, his opening 800 m in 1:4.3 and his first mile in 2:5.9 from stand. Unique Blue Chip got up late to win by a neck in a smart 2:38.07 for the 2000 m.

“He’s as good as any two-year-old I’ve driven," said the colt’s successful relnsman, Grant Payne.