Directorship convincing, Lumber’s' Pride game

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 37

Directorship convincing, Lumber’s' Pride game

Special correspondent Auckland Last season’s outstanding four-year-old trotter, Directorship, did everything right for his driver, Maurice McKendry, when he recorded a convincing first-up win at the Auckland Trotting club’s meeting at Alexandra Park on Saturday evening. Away a little slowly, but safely, from the inside on the front in the Lion Red Handicap, Directorship, which was having his first start since the Rowe Cup in May, led for the last 1200 metres. He cruised effortlessly to the finish, well clear of the game Lumber’s Pride. ‘‘He’s definitely

matured a lot and strengthened since last season,” said his cotrainer, Gary Smith, of Directorship. “He’s no better, I think, but that extra time has made the difference.” Smith prepares Directorship at Pukekohe in partnership with Charlie Hunter for the Kenwood Classic Racing Syndicate. The Hunter-Smith team also had two other runners in the race and they shaped pleasingly — Your Honour for fourth and the veteran, Jenner, for sixth. According to Smith, Directorship will start next in the D.B. Morrinsville Trotting Cup at Cambridge on Friday. Then,

all going well, he will be prepared for the $150,000 D.B. Dominion Handicap at Addington on November 19. McKendry was very confident Directorship would win when they passed Fergy’s Rocket with 1200 metres to run. “He felt very relaxed before the start and once we got to the front he just cruised along. He’s a very nice trotter and should be in for a good season,” he said. Directorship has now won 15 of his 39 starts and managed nine minor placings for stakes of more than $92,000. Nine of those successes came last term.

He trotted the 2200 metres in 2:51.9, the last 800 m in 58.8 and 400 m in 29.4. Lumber’s Pride looked a danger when he pressed forward three wide to challenge with 300 metres to go, but he could not overhaul Directorship. His performance had his trainer-driver, Peter Wolfenden, smiling, though, and there was little wonder. Well back with 800 metres to run, he trotted that section in a swift 57.8, the last 400 m in 28.7. Lumber’s Pride’s stablemate, Prince Topaz, challenged for the lead also on the turn and fought well for third, a length and a quarter back.