Dramatic backdrop for Prince’s style

Press, 8 October 1988, Page 35

Dramatic backdrop for Prince’s style

By DAVID MCCARTHY

Prince Kumai carried his army of supporters through in dashing style in the Satterthwaite Handicap at Washdyke yesterday, but not before plenty of drama had unfolded during and after the race. Brought into the race draw by four scratchings, Prince Kumai became unbalanced as he left the gates and settled near last on the rail inside Noble Pal.

He remained well off the pace until the 500 m, at which point Paul Richards followed an improving Noble Pal and eased into a gap inside that runner at the home turn.

At that stage the warm favourite was standing the pacemaker, Polacca, Leveldeen and Comparable, in the trail, a start of several lengths. The grey took some time to wind

up, but once into full stride outclassed the others to win going away by three parts of a length.

Richards had to beat a charge of interference to Noble Pal on the home turn before being declared the rider of Prince Kumai in the Mitchelson Cup at Ellerslie next Saturday. Prince Kumai must win $l5OO in the Mitchelson to make the distance qualification for the Melbourne Cup and trainer Brian Anderton’s major concern is the wet tracks the northern areas have been experiencing.

Richards, who had had the worst of riding luck earlier in the day on the richly bred, Andertontrained maidens, Glowing Satin, and The Broken Drum, professed not to be too concerned about his position in the middle

"I was travelling in behind All Counted and I knew Jumbo (Didham) would have to make a move on Noble Pal so I was confident I’d get a run. He just takes a little longer to wind up now he’s had more racing.” Comparable did well for second and Leveldeen, which slightly injured Grant Davison and escaped through the stalls before the start, held his ground solidly ahead of All Counted, which battled a little over the final stages. Prince Kumai is likely to travel to Auckland late in the week and is booked to fly to Melbourne on October 26, providing he has met the distance qualification in the Mitchelson. He must finish in the first four placings.