Melbourne hopefuls win at Hastings

Press, 12 September 1988, Page 26

Melbourne hopefuls win at Hastings

Special correspondent Wellington

New Zealand is set for a powerful attack on the Melbourne spring carnival judging by the performances of several gallopers at the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s meeting at Hastings on Saturday. Classic Bay and Poetic Prince, outstanding winners of their respective weight-for-age contests, both have Melbourne campaigns on their programmes along with Flying Luskin, Plume D’Or Veille, Empire Rose and Banderol. The latter four are all in the early stages of their preparations but returned performances that will be very encouraging for their connections. Classic Bay, in his first middle-distance attempt this campaign, was supreme as he strode away from his rivals at the end of the $45,000 Beamish Bloodstock Stakes (2000 m while Poetic Prince cruised to an easy win in the $25,000 Byerley Thoroughbred Stakes (1400 m Classic Bay could not have been more impressive in the Beamish. After enjoying the run of the race, he proved far too strong for his rivals in the run home to win by two lengths from Flying Luskin and Gatcombe’s Pride. Trainer, Merv Andrews, has never taken a horse to Australia, but he is keen to make the trip with Classic Bay. The Rebec seven-year-old appears an outstanding prospect for the Caulfield Cup but he may have trouble gaining a place in the line-up as he is not qualified. Andrews is prepared to take his chances about a Caulfield start and will not rush to Australia in an attempt to qualify. The horse’s next race will be in the $50,000 Taranaki Stakes (2000 m on October 1 in which he is likely to clash with Bonecrusher. All going well, Classic Bay will be then taken to Australia and if he fails to gain a Caulfield start, Andrews will look to qualify him for the Melbourne Cup. Flying Luskin, a stablemate of Poetic Prince, produced a top effort for second and confirmed the high regard in which he is held by his connections. He is also likely to race at New Plymouth and then head to Melbourne. Gatcombe’s Pride, expected to be unsuited by the good track conditions, produced a fine performance for third. “He was going like a winner on the turn and fought on well,” said David Walsh after the race. The Vice Regal six-year-old looks a fine prospect for the $20,000 Motorcorp Honda Handicap (2100 m at Awapuni next week-end. Banderol could only manage eighth but he did not have much luck in the run home and pleased his connections. Co-trainer, Paul O’Sullivan, said the horse was more forward than they had thought and he could yet get to Melbourne. Immediate plans are not certain but he is being aimed towards the $30,000 Mitchelson Cup (2400 m at Ellerslie on October 15. Poetic Prince was recording his second win from as many starts this term when winning the Byerley and he looks set to make his mark across the Tasman again. He had little luck in Melbourne 12 months ago when relegated from first in the Caulfield Guineas before running second to Rubiton in the Cox Plate. The Cox Plate is his major aim again and trainers John Wheeler and lan Adams have him booked to cross the Tasman next Monday. He is expected to start his campaign in the sAust2so,ooo Feehan Stakes (1600 m at Moonee Valley on September 24. He is also likely to contest the sAustl 75,000 Caulfield Stakes (2000 m on October 8 in his final lead-up to the sAustl.s million Cox Plate on October 22. Wheeler, who is thrilled with the four-year-old’s progress, also has his sights on the inaugural $1 million D.B. Draught Stakes at Ellerslie next year. Poetic Prince settled back in midfield on Saturday and then received a split between horses turning for home. He accelerated quickly to put a

winning break on the field and was not extended to win by a length-and-a-half. It was his tenth win from 21 career starts and has boosted his career earnings to $611,951, a tally he should improve greatly on in Melbourne.