Sydney vanguard settles

Press, 25 February 1989, Page 36

Sydney vanguard settles

NZPA Sydney Krona and Yukon Gold, the New Zealand gallopers lining up in the sAust2so,ooo Canterbury Guineas (1900 m today, appear to have overcome early worries for their connections since arriving in Australia on Wednesday. The two three-year-olds, which are opening New Zealand’s assault on this year’s Sydney Autumn carnival, were unsettled by their new surroundings but Krona’s trainer, Roger McGlade, and Yukon Gold’s Keith Reddaway were happier yesterday. Reddaway is stabling his promising stayer at Wyong, about 90 minutes drive north of Sydney, so he would be in surroundings resembling his spacious Matamata paddocks. But Reddaway said Yukon Gold sweated badly in light work on Thursday because he could not relax in his new environment. “He came back dripping with sweat, although he is always an easy sweating horse,” Reddaway said. “Yesterday I was really worried, but he ate up reasonably well — not 100 per cent by any means — last night and this morning he seemed a little more himself when he worked quietly.” While content with the Beaufort Sea gelding’s condition yesterday, Reddaway was still not optimistic about his chances today on the sharp turns of the Canterbury track. “That won’t suit him, but I wanted to give him a run and if he can finish in the first half-dozen I’ll be very pleased,” the trainer said. McGlade, who has Krona stabled in Sydney’s western suburbs, said his colt was uptight for the first night but had settled in quite well since then. “He cleaned up nearly everything given him last night and I’m a lot happier with him this morning. After working him at the track, we took him

up to a park to have a pick and went back to his box and tucked straight into Although Krona has not raced since Boxing Day, McGlade believes he is ready for the Guineas after his smart barrier trial win over Yukon Gold at Cambridge last week and a solid blowout on Tuesday. “I am never confident, but hopeful he will see it through,” said McGlade, sounding a caution about the 1900 m Guineas journey. He would have preferred to start him off at Sydney over 1600 m. Krona, rated a 5-1 chance by the bookmakers, will be ridden by regular jockey, Peter Tims, and expatriate New Zealander, Nigel Tiley, has been engaged for Yukon Gold, quoted at 15-1. Neither of the New Zealand trainers has had time to assess their Australian opposition. But McGlade expects a strong challenge from the Tommy Smith-, trained Wonder Dancer, which won the Australian Derby at Perth last start, and the Bart Cummings-trained Swifty Carson, another last-start winner, which was quoted as 2-1 favourite yesterday. Jetbet: 16 Race 1 TF 5.15 OAKLEIGH PLATE $A175,000; 1100 m 1 0211 Jet Fighter 3 S. Burridge 57.0 2 3 Daring Jon 6 W. Treloars6.o 3 9011 Festal 2 H. White 53.5 4 8 Royal Handout 12 G. Willetts 53.5 5 1186 Sunalong Lass 1 G. Hall 53.5 6 1111 Boasting 15 R. Dye 53.0 7 4028 Ableson 7 C. Dinn 52.5 8 223 Clay Hero 14 J. Didham 52.5 9 Startling Lass 18 M. Clarke 52.0 10 3631 Diamond Benny 17 . . R. Heffernan 51.5 11 Even True 4 J. O’Connor 51.5 12 84 Scarlet Bisque 10 D. Murphy 51.0 13 2912 Class Man 9 S. King 49.5 14 1242 Lonely Dreamer 11 . C. Browell (a) 49.5 15 616 Flash Sam 8 . . . . D. Triandafillou 49.0 16 3202 Good Time Dancer 5 . .G. Robinson 49.0 17 2050 Rigadoon 16 D. Short 49.0 18 3424 Strawberry Ranch 13 . K. Forrester 49.0

Jetbet: 14 Race 1 TF 5.35 TOOHEY’S CANTERBURY GUINEAS $Aust250,000; three-year-olds; 1900m 1 2211 Wonder Dancer 9 P. Cook ■ ' 55.5 2 1243 Our Krona 14 P. Tims 55.5 3 21 Swiftly Carson 4 J. Marshall 55.5 4 619 Merimbuia Bay 1 55.5 M. Johnston 5 1113 Better Loosen Up 5 G. Duffy 55.5 6 3645 Our Yukon Gold 7 N. Tiley 55.5 7 45 Record Dash 8 W. Harris 55.5 8 5321 Big Wraps 6 R. Thompson 55.5 9 2160 Nosh 10 D. Beadman 55.5 10 61 Power of Destiny 13 N. Paine 55.5 11 111 Cross Purpose 16 B. York 55.5 .12 1233 Riverina'Charm 2 R. Quinton 52.5 13 3024 Chaleyer 3 J. Innes 52.5 14 2625 Salisopra 11 B. Wood 52.5 15 7830 Flash Gypsy 12 L. Olsen 55.5 16 07 Back Home 15 N. Rae 55.5 Emergencies: Flash Gypsy, Back Home.