Minster Son causes upset in St Leger

Press, 13 September 1988, Page 35

Minster Son causes upset in St Leger

NZPA-Reuter Doncaster

Minster Son caused an. upset in the English St Leger on Saturday, when he defeated the strongly fancied Diminuendo by a length. Starting at 15-2, Minster Son, which was bred and ridden by Willie Carson, held on in a desperate finish in driving rain from the 7-4-on favourite, with Sheriff’s Star (7-2) eight lengths away in third

place. Only six runners competed in the final classic of the English season run over 14i/ 2 furlongs (2900 metres) but it was a stirring contest. Two furlongs (400 metres) from home Diminuendo and Walter Swinburn, substituting for the injured Steve Cauthen, looked like winning when they went half a length clear of Minster Son and Sheriffs Star after the pace-setting outsider, Mazzacano, gave way. But Minster Son, only eighth in, the Epsom Derby where Carson rejected two other leading chances to ride him, responded to every call. The colt took up the

running 300 metres out and ’ outstayed Diminuendo in a fine finish. It was Carson’s third success in the Leger and the fifth for the stable of trainer, Dick Hern. Hern was watching the classic from his hospital bed where he is recovering from a heart operation. His assistant, Neil Graham, who temporarily took over Hem’s licence only a week ago, was at the track to saddle the

winner. Minster Son is owned by Lady Beaverbrook, who won the Leger with her most famous horse Bustino, also trained by Hern, in 1974. Swinburn said the rain had not helped English and Irish Oaks winner Diminuendo, which was attempting the distance for the first time in her career. Julie Cecil, wife of trainer Henry, said the filly might attempt the Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe next month if she comes through the race satisfactorily. Connections of the wellbacked Sheriffs Star said the grey colt had failed to stay.