Jockey’s judgment correct

Press, 10 July 1989, Page 30

Jockey’s judgment correct

Jockey Tony Allan seemed to have more faith in Open Terrain’s chances in the Wayne Wilkinson Handicap at the Wellington Racing Club’s meeting at Trentham on Saturday than the rest of the horse’s connections and his judgment proved correct. Allan, nearing the end of a season which brought, on the one hand a Melbourne Cup triumph, and on the other a lengthy suspension for failing to weigh in, reasoned the horse’s light weight and a heavy track made Open Terrain competitive in the Wilkinson (formerly the Whyte) Handicap.

He looked to have made the wrong choice in bypassing the Counties meeting when Tele Myth surged past him 80 metres out but Open Terrain, raced by Leicester Spring of Rising Fast fame, responded gamely to win by half a length. Mr Spring now in his eighties, and trainer Graham Sanders, who has had a relatively quiet season, both missed the meeting, the horse being in the care of Sanders’ son, Craig. Allan won the St Leger at Trentham in March on Saveur.

Open Terrain is nominated for the Winter Cup on August 12. Rongonui completed the Whyte-Winter Cup double last year. There were optimistic comments about the Trentham track before the day’s programme got under way but they were soon dispelled. The ground was as puggy as medium length memories could recall and that affected several runners notably the southern visitors All Counted and Diamond Annie, the former beginning to struggle after less than 300 m of the race.

Those running handy, like Open Terrain, had an advantage though Tele Myth came from well back in the middle stages to test him strongly.