Auckland trainers enjoy success at Trentham

Press, 5 December 1988, Page 36

Auckland trainers enjoy success at Trentham

Special correspondent Wellington The Manakau training team of Norman and Jane Wood had a splendid day at Trentham on Saturday. They won twice, with two-year-old Laddie Boy and the maiden, Just Dinkum, and collected a third with the filly, Lady Burwick. Now the team is set to return for the next meeting, which happens to be the Cup meeting in January, ana the trainers have very firm prospects with both Laddie Boy and Lady Burwick. On Saturday, January 21, Laddie Boy will be set for the $500,000 Magic Millions Sires Stakes, while two days later Lady Burwick has the $250,000 New Zealand Oaks, the premier race for fillies. Last Saturday Lady Burwick was third behind

That’s For Sure and Imperialaire in the Maymorne Plate (1600 m and there is little doubt that she was finishing better than any of her rivals. Norman Wood yesterday had little doubt that, if the race had been any further, the daughter of War Hak and On Edge would have won. He said the filly didn’t have much in the way of luck on the turn. Not that she was checked, but it took her a little time to get properly balanced once round the final corner. Lady Burwick has had the advantage of racing over ground and as he reflects op the fillies he has seen so far this season, Wood rates his horse’s Oaks prospects highly. However, before Trentham the $400,000 New

Zealand Herald Derby on Boxing Day looms. Lady Burwick is among the entrants and while a start is by no means certain Wood is keeping his options open. While Laddie Boy has the Magic Millions Sires as his major objective, his lead-up programme remains in some doubt. The trainers are waiting to see the selection criteria for the Sires before planning ahead. Laddie Boy won the Plateau Handicap (1000 m on Saturday .beating Daymore by two lengths and a half. He finished well from off the pace and ran a smart 59sec. Laddie Boy had won his previous race at Awapuni two weeks ago, also at the expense of Daymore. Laddie Boy is raced by

Doreen and Pete Carter. He is by Schweppeshire Lad from Imelda. He was bought, unseen, for $6OO at a Ready to Run sale and his win on Saturday doubled his total stake earnings, which now stand at $8655. Just Dinkum’s win came in the Kingsley Heights Handicap. She was at 44 to one, and the win was her first. While she has a ton of pace to call upon, Just Dinkum has been somewhat erratic on turning tracks. On Saturday Just Dinkum drew one and she had no chance of moving away from the fence. Just Dinkum was a $25,000 purchase and the win was quite a thrill for her veteran owner, Norman Aldridge, who has never lost faith in his mare.