Nugent Lopez in sparkling forma at Addington trials

Press, 25 August 1988, Page 29

Nugent Lopez in sparkling forma at Addington trials

By

JEFF SCOTT

Nugent Lopez signalled a sparkling return to racing at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday with a sizzling last 800 m of 56.6 to win at the Addington trials yesterday.

The Queen’s Birthday Stakes winner only required a leisurely 3:33.7 to complete the full 2600 m. In the third line when the speed went on near the 800 m, the promising Surmo Hanover gelding cruised past Machismo and Kotare Platinum over the closing stages of the C2 trial, winning by a length and a half. The leading horses were timed over their last 800 m in 58.1. Nugent Lopez will be seeking his third win from six starts in the Firestone High Performance Pace at Addington on Saturday. He then has the $45,000 D.B. Superstar Four-Year-Old Championship at the New Brighton meeting on his immediate programme.

Kahuna Pele, which was unable to give his supporters a run for their money last Saturday after a trace strap snapped as the barrier was released, firmed in favour for this week’s Pacifica Shipping Trot with an effortless win in the C5-OC Trotters’ heat. His time for the 2600 m of 3:30.9 (last 800 m in 60.2) was nothing out of the ordinary, however, the outing was nothing more than a Sunday stroll for the leggy Wide Ac-

claim gelding. Trainer - reinsman, Eddie Cowie, let Kahuna Pele bowl along for another 200 m after the winning post in better than even time — 14.2 seconds. Rebel Time, which blew out when resuming last Saturday, recovered after an early gallop yesterday, to run second, a length and a half from the winner. Master Mood was untested to beat three looser-assessed rivals in the Cl and faster mobile pace, sharpening up with a final 800 m of 57.1 and last 400 m of 28.3. The 1986 New Zealand Cup winner returned a leisurely 3:27.8 for the full 2600 m, but revelled in his work over the later

stages. Innocent Guy, which trailed Master Mood, was three lengths behind at the finish. Jeka led over the last 1800 m to win the Cl pace easily by three lengths in 3:29.9, quickening over his last 800 m in 59.3. Franco Realm, a richlybred three-year-old gelding by Nero’s 8.8. from the fine race mare Royal Belmer (1:58.8), came with a rush late to win his CO heat in 3:29.2.

The leaders came their closing 800 m in 59.1 and 400 m in 29.1, while Franco Realm, a halfbrother to the former N.Z. Derby winner, Sovereign, and tight-class mare Royal Decision, was sixth and eight lengths from the leaders at this section.

He is trained at Weedons by Jack Smolensk!, who trained Royal Belmer and who trained and part-owned Sovereign. Smolensk! trains Franco Realm for Addington Breeding, Ltd, and Company. Results: CO Pacers, mobile, 2600 m. — Gaelic Gem P. Jones 1, Kotare Helmsman 2, Patronazo 3. Seven ran. Holitimer fourth. Len, 3 len, len. Time: 3:23.5 (800 m in 60.9, 400 m in 29.5).

Cl and faster Pacers, mobile 2600 m. — Master Mood K. Williams 1, Innocent Guy .2, Haughty Choice 3, Shesa Monti fourth. Only starters. 3 len, 6 len, iy 4 len. Time: 3:27.8. (800 m in 57.1, 400 m in 28.3).

CO Pacers, 2600 m. — Franco Realm It J. W. Smolensk! 1, So Sure It 2, Delightful Moon It 3. 11 ran. Double Bye fouth. Nk, l>/ 2 len, 2 len. Time: 3:29.2. (800 m in 59.1, 400 m in 29.1).

CO Trot, 2600 m. — Game Trio It M. Edmonds 1, Joy Best It 2, Tamra’s Pride it 3. Six ran. Ciovelly Pride fourth. y 2 len, hd, 22 2 len. Time: 3:34.9. (800 m in 60.9, 400 m in 29.6).

CO Pacers, 2600 m. — Viewfield Lord It I. Cameron 1, Charsi Me It 2, Montpellier It 3. 10 ran. Willowdale Lad fourth. % len, y 2 hd, % len. Time: 3:30.3. (800 m in 58.7, 400 m in 29).

Cl Pacers, 2600 m. — Jeka It M. Edmonds 1, Bernborough It 2, Kiwi Fella It 3. Six ran. Hickory Wood fourth. 3 len, long nk, 2 len. Time: 3:29.9. (800 m in 59.3, 400 m in 28.9).

Cl Trotters, 2600 m. — Ciovelly D’or It 1, Game Venture It 2, Rocky Graziano It 3. False Call fourth. Only starters. Hd, hd, distance. Time: 3:41.8. (800 m in 63.2, 400 m in 31).

C2 Pacers, 2600 m. — Nugent Lopez It P. Ryder 1, Machismo It 2, Kotare Platinum It 3. Six ran. Madam Lustre fourth. iy 2 len, y 2 len, % len. Time: 3:33.7. (800 m in 58.1, 400 m in 28.7).

C5-OC Trotters, 2600 m. — Kahuna Pele It E. Cowie 1, Rebel Time It 2, Kylie’s Pride it 3. Others in finishing order: Wedgewood, Game Nian. iy 2 len, % len, l l / 2 len. Time; 3:30.9 (800 m in 60.2, 400 m in 29.8). •“