Upset in Waikato Guineas

Press, 20 November 1989, Page 37

Upset in Waikato Guineas

Auckland correspondent A hobbyist trainer-holi-daymaker and a littleknown three-year-old sent punters reeling when capturing the $50,000 Wright(son Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa on Saturday. Leo Cowan, who spends his year divided between Cambridge and the Gold Coast of Australia, and his., attractive Engagement colt. New Diamond, won the $32,500 first prize in a ! very roughly run race. “Certainly beaten” was the phrase ; most jockeys of Guineas runners were using after the 1600 m feature and for Cowan there was an anxious wait before victory was offi- - cially his. .... A protest was lodged by a stipendiary steward alleging interference by the; winner to the

Laddie Boy and this resulted in a lengthy inquiry before placings were allowed to stand.

"That’s a relief,” said Cowan when he heard the verdict , v . If Laddie Boy had finished closer the general feeling is that the winner would have been disqualified. As it was. New Diamond’s rider, Cathy Douglas, was suspended up to and including November 30.:

New Diamond was virtually unknown to Kiwi punters before the Guineas, his previous racing having been all done in Brisbane.

; Cowan took him across the Tasman when he went for. his annual Isix-month holiday to the Gold Coast and New Diamond picked

up four placings from his first seven attempts, then won his last three races in succession. New Diamond’s wins were over 1800 m, 2400 m and 2200 m — all on the Gold Coast That form persuaded Cowan to have a tilt at the $400,000 “New Zealand Herald” Derby at Ellerslie on December 26 with him. “And things have certainly started off well,” said. : Cowan. ’“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of depth in the New Zealand three-year-olds so. far and he (New Diamond) has already proved himself over.the Derby .distance.”; -' • ' New Diamond, whose is the Avon-,

dale Guineas, won the Guineas by a head in one of the closest-ever finishes to the big event. Red Arc ran on strongly from the back for second, a short neck in front of El Denti, which was in touch with the pace all the way. There was a nose'to the fourth-placed Centime/ which just shaded Money Market, Eurostar and Hot ' Tempo. - ’ Money Market ? was among the unlucky runners, while Centime cost himself a winning chance when diving in-,, wards near the finish. Ray’s Hope (eighth) was mounting a strong run between horses when he was stopped in bis tracks 200 m out. J