'Magic' needed for Koral vi victory

Press, 5 August 1988, Page 34

'Magi c' needed for Koral vi victory

By DAVID MCCARTHY More than a touch of “that old Browne magic” and the right spin from the wheel of fortune will be needed for Crown Star to return to his pedestal in the Koral Steeplechase at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Riccarton tomorrow.

Twelve months, and one day, ago Crown Star had assembled one of the most outstanding records of modern times over Riccarton country. He first came south in 1984 and took out the Trial Hurdles-Grand National Hurdles double for the Browne stable though Harold Pateman was a late replacement rider for an injured trainer in the latter event

In 1985 the dashing son of Crown Lease returned to take the Koral-Grand National Steeplechase double and when he repeated the feat in 1986 he maintained a perfect record on the course. Not since the days of Koral in the Homeby Steeplechase, it seemed, had one horse made the Riccarton country so much his own. Then last year, burdened with 66kg in the Koral, disaster struck. Crown Star clipped the first of the kennels double and sprawled on the Riccarton turf for the first time. It seemed a costly failure at the time largely because it destroyed his chances of a third Grand National win, but it turned out worse than that. Crown Star’s crash seemed to turn the horse’s luck and to some extent that of his rider. Crown Star started favourite in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup and., pulled up distressed well before the finish. A long spell followed and after two tuning runs on the flat Crown Star ran third in the Vercoe Steeples in May

when the weight scale had suggested better fortune. Next up he was the beaten favourite in the Lion Red Steeplechase at Hastings before finishing what appeared to be a dismal eleventh in the Inter-Island Steeples at Paeroa. However Browne saw some signs there which encouraged him to continue the single-minded quest to win another National.

"He jumped to the lead at one point but then hit a heavy course proper and the others go up around him. That beat him,” said Browne. Crown Star has thrived since and while the stable expects him to improve with the run if the horse’s career is to regain its momentum it will surely be over Riccarton country and in the Koral Steeplechase. But there are sufficient question marks about the top weight to look closely at his main rivals. Master Bijou didappointed in an oddly-run Homeby. Last year he won this race with skg above the minimum and is slightly better off this time. He also ran second in the National. Master Bijou may have had his reserves sapped by the testing Nescafe outing but he is one which enjoys reasonable ground and he has the experience to master this field. Chimeric has often disappointed but was promising enough to be one of the favourites for last year’s National while Therapeutic and Sonic Sound both earn

respect. One is an old stager which has mastered Riccarton in the past, the other a much less experienced horse on raceday which will benefit from the outing tomorrow. But he has the jumping skills to surprise the top weights. If the horses-for-courses theory can sustain a case for Crown Star in the Koral Steeplechase tomorrow it must have at least as strong an influence on assessing the outcome of the Heathcote Handicap, the first leg of the T.A.B. double.

Fairfield Lad, running in the race for the third time, has chalked up three victories at Riccarton the major ones being the Heathcote-Winter Cup double 12 months ago. He carried 54kg in the Heathcote last year and the top weight of 57kg may not stop him in a race which has previously been kind to solidly-weighted horses.

Fairfield Lad was second to Shearkhan, an International Trucks Winter Cup rival next week, in the Levin Cup, last start after a sixth at Trentham which was better than it looked and a solid fifth in the Whyte Handicap. He does not mind easy footing and if the weather holds the chances of the top weights must be enhanced. McAdam could be the surprise packet. He was only seventh in, heavy going at Levin but there were some signs improvement was on the way and the better track here should suit him, ac-

cording to Evan Rayner. Dester, which has yet to miss the judge over 1800 m at Riccarton, Seve which should improve with his Oamaru outing, his first for three weeks, and Silver Tussock, a past winner here at the distance, seem the leading southerners on a reasonable track.

Things will be harder for the south in the Paparua Handicap, the second leg of the T.A.B. double.

Beach Tango, Grant Davison’s mount, has won three of his last 10 starts and interspersed those with placings behind some very smart horses. His last start third was behind St James and Catering King at Matamata, following a win at Hastings. Go Bush, from Woodville, has shown his best form on heavy going but has won on a firm track. He has won four of 12 starts and will be dangerous at the weights. Spanish Star is consistent though would like rain while Miss Woodleigh, while disappointing last time out in midJune, raced well here at Easter before returning north to win the Jarden Morgan Handicap (1600 m and the Rotorua Travelodge Stakes. A firmish track could suit her nicely. For longer odds Riccarton’s enigmatic New Wine is at her pet distance, with blinkers and on a track which should be ideal for her. She could get in the money at any old price.

Consistent mare which resumed with close third, this distance, at Waimate last month. Respected. 3 0441 Diamond Annie 20 R. Bruce 55.5 Rallied splendidly for easy win at Timaru on July 23. Badly drawn but worth considering. 4 114 Fondeesa 7 D. Anderton 55.5 Speedy filly resuming. Working well and bold run likely. 5 0018 Black Comet 4 J. Dowling 55.0 Upset winner in heavy conditions, this course, June 18. Rough chance only. 6 1800 Full Crown 14 P. Richards 55.0 Weak effort at Waimate. Would have to improve. 7 6288 Morning Wings 18 N. Harris 55.0 Resuming after short break. Talented and could surprise. 8 4045 Rakau Reefton 15 .... .P. Mercer 55.0 Racing fairly and last-start fifth at Timaru was solid effort. Respected. 9 0600 Airlis March 6 54.5 Never in contention after slow beginning at Timaru on July 23. 10 5826 Gunner 10 H. Malcolm 54.5 Fair sixth at Timaru on July 8 after unlucky second, 1400 m, this course six days earlier. Definite prospect. 11 8596 Lightning Lad 3 B. Hibberd 54.5 Faded to sixth after setting furious pace of 12 8071 My Waltzing Friend 11 54.5 Surprise winner over 1400 m at Oamaru 13 404 Rare Chance 1 .... R. J. McCann 54.5

Stormed home for close fourth at Waimate. Hard to beat. 14 5353 Claire’s Reason 16 .... K. Kenyon 54.0 Tries hard and deserves a winning turn. Useful third behind Diamond Annie at Timaru. 15 8353 Flight To Glory 13 . . . .T. Kennedy 54.0 Good third behind the talented All Counted over 1600 m at Timaru last month. Better suited by a longer journey but capable of surprising. 16 1355 Galaxy Crown 19 G. Davison 53.5 Battling run at Waimate. Successful at Rangiora trials on Sunday. 17 2503 Billy Mac 2 R. McAra 53.0 Last-start third was on this course as a hurdler last month. 18 0000 Schwepping 8 53.0 Latest failure was as a hurdler at Waimate. 19 2060 Blue Heaven 17 52.5 Stopped quickly when resuming at Timaru on July 8. Doubtful. 20 0800 Glukus 5 52.5 Out of form. Emergencies: Blue Heaven, Glukus. Race 8 0, T, TF 3.30 HEATHCOTE HANDICAP $12,000; Cl; 1800 m. 1 0562 Fairfield Lad 11 P. Mercer 57.0 Solid run for second to Shearkhan over 1600 m at Levin last week. Won this race last year on soft track and would appreciate rain. 2 7936 Stanley Frank 5 G. Davison 55.5 Mudlark which has not appeared since finishing a disappointing sixth at Ashburton in June. Won at Rangiora trials on Sunday. 3 4110 Seve 10 54.5 Found 1400 m too short for him at Oamaru last week. Earlier form was of a high standard but is another better suited to a wet track. 4 9155 Silver Tussock 7 R. Bruce 53.5 Fair fifth over 2130 m at Oamaru after being taken on in front. Won the Waimate Cup (1700 m three starts back and respected on firm track. 5 7403 Charlie’s Pal 6 J. Dowling 53.0 Improved effort for third to My Wee Man at Oamaru. 6 2341 Dester 1 H. Malcolm 53.0 Deserved winner at Timaru on July 23. Always a chance. 7 4907 McAdam 3 B. Hibberd 52.5 Marton visitor racing only fairly. Rain would help. 8 4524 News and Views 9 S. Cook 52.0 Racing soundly and not that far away at Oamaru. Could be at false odds. 9 2130 Lord Venture 2 51.5 Steeplechaser which was hopelessly outpaced at Oamaru and unlikely to go any better here. 10 9112 Thanks A Million 8 51.5 Form impressive but against much

weaker company this time. Lightweight chance, nevertheless. 11 808 Village Guy 4 51.5 Hard to fancy on Oamaru effort. Race 9 0, T 4.5 PAPARUA HANDICAP $12,000; Cl; 1400 m. 1 1167 Miss Woodleigh 4 B. Griffin 57.0 Battling runs at Awapuni in June. Capable of better but best form on rain-affected ground. 2 0372 Tirana 1 G. Williams 56.5 Distant second to Irish Boe at Awapuni on July 23. Good record, this course and distance, and worth considering. 3 6113 Beach Tango 12 ..... G. Davison 55.5 Racing generously and far from disgraced when third behind St James at Matamata last month. Likely favourite. 4 1929 Kiss Me Kate 2 R. McAra 55.5 Erratic mare which stopped quickly over this distance at Oamaru. Take on trust. 5 2112 Native Era 7 .P. Richards 55.0 Ran home nicely for second to No Techie at Timaru on July 25. Will be improved by that outing, his first in almost two months. 6 3217 Berber 5 '. . . L. Didham 54.5 Won the Brabazon, this course and distance, July 2. Should be improved by run at Oamaru last week. Respected. 7 1131 Spanish Star 10 . . . . W. Robinson 54.5 In-form Te Rapa gelding but needs rain to rate a winning chance. 8 3141 Go Bush 8 N. Harris 54.0 Lightly raced Woodville five-year-old with impressive record to date. Has won on a firm track and must be hard to beat. 9 3611 Tai Yang 6 J. Jamieson 54.0 Stylish wins at Timaru and Oamaru in latest attempts. Tougher assignment here but could surprise. 10 4647 Black Arrow 9 R. Bruce 53.0 Continues to disappoint. Hard to like. 11 Nipper’s Son 11 53.0 Resuming after lengthy spell. 12 7403 New Wine 3 B. Hibberd 52.5 Talented mare struggling to recapture her best form. Useful run for third behind Dester

Jetbet: ( Race 1 TF 11.20 TRIAL BRUSH HURDLES $6000; 0 to 2 wins; 3000m 1 255 Bilbah 13 .S. Anderton 65.0 2 143 King Dollar 9 . . B. Pelling65.0 3 4 64.5 520 Come True 3 . . N. Ridley 64.0 5 997 Count Claudio I . . . . . W. Harnett 64.0 6 042 Beaver Boy 12 T. O’Donnell 63.5 7 066 Dover Castle 11 . . . . H. Pateman 63.5 8 342 Royal Hush 2 63.5 . 9 130 Highland Peer 4 ... . . T. Belsham 62.5 10 00 Aurum Bard 10 62.0 11 570 Hwyl 6 . . A. Cowan 62.0 13 850 Vrinsk 5 Scratched: Riwai. J. McGifford 62.0 Rat :e 2 F 11.55 ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE $5000; 4000m 1 252 Ben Koiay 4 . K. Browne 63.5 2 756 Abbeyfeale 6 A. Robertson 62.5 3 423 Dundas 1 . . N. Ridley 62.5 4 057 Ebony Duke 2 . . A. Cowan 62.0 5 004 Maquis 5 . T. Belsham 62.0 6 486 Our Joey 3 D. McKenzie 62.0 Race 3 12.35 LONGBEACH MAIDEN $5000; 1400m 1 883 Ciara 20 55.0 2 2 Danny Magee 2 . . N. Harris 55.0 3 052 Fourars 22 55.0 4 640 First Blush 11 . . G. Smith 55.0

5 708 Gyst 7 .P. Richards 55.0 6 932 James Garet 18 55.0 7 33 Luskin Lady 1 . . J. Fallen 55.0 8 054 Middleton Lad 17. . . . 55.0 9 504 Odds Against 8 . . . .A. Tait 55.0 10 038 Paddy’s Turn 6. . . . R. J. McCann 55.0 11 027 Proud Guard 19 .T. Kennedy 55.0 13 008 Southern Edition 13 . . .J. Jamieson 55.0 14 54 Swept By 16 . . . L. Cook 55.0 15 529 Swig 4 . .P. Falvey55.0 16 923 Tolerate 14 55.0 17 43 Woodleigh Lad 15 . . . 55.0 18 620 Yasda 9 . . . S. Cook 55.0 19 Demetrius 3 . . C. Walter 55.0 20 059 Tolman 5 55.0 21 76 Regal Manor 12 55.0 22 490 Reproach 21 55.0 Emergencies: Tolman, Regal Manor, Reproach. Scratched: Something Fancy. Race 4 1.10 SYDENHAM HURDLES $15,000; 3200m 1 192 Won’t Be Easy 8 . . . . . . .W. Hillis 63.5 2 121 Aughabehy 19 J. McGifford 62.0 3 721 Charlie Trelay 1 ... . . . A. Cowan 61.5 4 131 Don Pedro 6 61.0 5 236 Next Lot 4 . W. Harnett 60.5 6 141 Palm Singer 7 . K. Browne 60.5 7 423 Rubber Ring 5 . . B. Revell 60.5 8 265 Sir Ellery 9 . . A. Mavor59.0 9 005 Tu Tanga Ta 3 .... . . R. Cassidy 59.0 Race 5 1.45 AYLESBURY HANDICAP $6000; three-year-olds; 1200m 1 313 Solaris Star 6 . A. Tweedie 57.0

2 3 510 Amarnath 10 221 Fiesta Point 1 . . . N. Harris 55.5 . . G. Davison 55.5 4 136 Favola 15 . .T. Kennedy 55.0 5 015 Savour 2 . ,G. Williams 54.5 6 751 Top Man 9 R. J. McCann 54.5 7 008 Bobby Golfer 3. . . . . . D. Wadley 54.0 8 672 Beaufort Dee 8 . . . . 53.5 9 633 Dogwood 7 . . . R. Bruce 53.5 10 483 Mr Claudio 5 . ... S. Cook 53.5 11 009 Double Jewel 12 . . . . . K. Kenyon 53.0 12 0 False Impression 13 . . . J. Dowling 53.0 13 Ladysmith 11 . . .P. Mercer 53.0. 14 86 Midnight Melody 14 . . .J. Jamieson 53.0 15 6 Noble King 4 . ,H. Malcolm 53.0 Race 6 2.20 KORAL STEEPLECHASE $15,000: 4000m 1 300 Crown Star 2 . . K. Browne 66.0 2 686 Master Bijou 7 . . . . ... A. Cowan 63.5 3 821 Chimeric 8 . . .P. McKay 62.5 4 Ill Go Johnny 10 . H. Pateman 62.5 5 602 Therapeutic 5 . . . . G. Lord 62.0 6 521 Count A Million 3 . . . . T. Belsham 60.5 7 031 Double Acre 4 . . . . . . . T. Hazlett 60.5 8 123 Sonic Sound 1 . . . . . . . .W. Hillis 60.5 9 222 Free To Choose 9 . . 60.0 10 065 Icknield Kniaht 6. . . .A. Robertson59.0 Race 7 T 2.55 AVONHEAD HANDICAP $6000; 0-to-2 wins; 1200m. 1 7102 Irish Acs 9 A. Hawthorne 56.5 Narrowly beaten by Tai Yang in Cl 1400m at Oamaru last week. Game win over tins distance at Timaru three starts back. Chance. 2 3223 Art Banquet 12 ... .

at Timaru and could be at false odds. Race 10 TP 4.40 AKAROA HANDICAP $7000; C2; 1600m 1 957 Red Hawk 11 R. J. McCann 57.0 2 211 Atishu 8 . . . N. Harris 56.0 3 151 All Counted 7 55.5 4 762 Abit Matey 10 54.5 5 756 Red Sovereign 1 . . . . . . R. Bruce 54.5 6 374 Face The Music 5 . . . . J. Dowling 54.0 7 230 Great Zeal 6 . . G. Davison 54.0 8 005 Marwitzer 2 53.5 9 463 Harto 9. . .J. Jamieson 52.0 10 090 Misnomer 3 . .A. Hunsche52.0 11 754 Galloping Gourmet 4. . . . R. McAra 51.0