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Kate's First winning the Nevele R NZ Oaks

1997 NEVELE R NZ OAKS

Kate's First produced a brilliant effort to win the Nevele R NZ Oaks, but it wasn't the only act she put on on the night.

Bucking and kicking when unloaded off the float on arrival at the course, Kate's First continued the bad behaviour prior to her event. "She was a right mole in her preliminary," driver Peter Ferguson said. "She gets a bit smart and tries to run off the track - I was flat getting her around the course while she was warming up."

Although the Holmes Hanover filly proved a handful prior to her $60,000 NZ Oaks bid, Ferguson knew it was a positive sign. "I knew she was back to her old self when she started behaving like that. She played up a little prior to the previous week's win, but that side to her had been missing since she's been crook," he said.

Ferguson's thoughts that Kate's First was back to normal were certainly justified minutes later. Drawn the outside of the second row, Ferguson and Kate's First waited until the right moment to shoot around the field, and levelled up to pacemaking favourite Scuse Me with a lap to travel. In the same spot turning for home, it was obvious soon after that Kate's First had the measure of the leader. She strode clear and then easily held off the late challenges of Bludebird, Strathrowan and Mystic Gold.

The win was a huge effort from a 3-year-old filly, and even more amazing were the last sectionals of 57 and 28.5 respectively, which paved the way for a national record time of 3:13.1 for the 2600m mobile. "I was quite happy sitting parked out, and I wouldn't have handed up to anything over the last lap," Ferguson said. "She's got a bit of speed, and seems to have got quicker as she's had more races," he said.

Austin Williams, who with daughter Karen has looked after Kate's First while she has been in Christchurch, believed the filly falling ill could have been a blessing in disguise. "Travelling up and down the country for major races can take a lot out of horses," he said. Ferguson agreed, saying the opportunity Kate's First had to settle in and acclimatise was a major factor. "Ausin and Karen have done a wonderful job with the horse. She felt terific tonight and I know it is a scary thought but I think she might improve for the Hydroflow Final," he said.

Credit: John Robinson writing in NZHR Weekly

The Weekly cover celebrates Irakis's win

1997 DB DRAUGHT NZ TROTTING CUP

It was supposed to be a cakewalk. In the end, it was little more than a fine line between the hotshot and the roughie.

The infamous Relief of Mafeking during the Boer wars was nothing compared to the relief that followed when Iraklis was declared the winner of the DB Draught NZ Cup at Addington. Small fortunes were bet on Iraklis winning the race, including a $10,000 wager by part-owner Kypros Kotzikas on fixed odds at three to one, and a bit less bet on the day.

The money looked as safe as the Sunday collection when Iraklis put a break on the field turning in. Iraklis was about to preach to the converted. But lurking behind pacemaker Anne Franco and inside Iraklis was a tough old beach-trained gelding whose body had taken more socks than Evander Holyfield. Two hundred metres from the finish, the script was being followed beautifully. Iraklis was running the race of his life, still clear, when the old pug lurched off the ropes. This became a serious challenge. More than that, Smooth Dominion actually gave meaning to the prospect of a technical knockout when he put his head past Iraklis about 20 metres from the finish.

Driver Robert Anderson, presumed to be one of the race 'extras,' was in danger of upstaging the star. This was not part of the play. The six inches that Smooth Dominion took, tottered briefly and fell the other way as Iraklis rallied short of the finish to save the day.

"I thought he'd lost it on the post," said Kotzikas, an expansive fishing mogul who owns more than 80 horses with trainer Robert Cameron. "I didn't know he'd won it until Reon Murtha called out number seven, but then, from where I was sitting, I knew the angle was in our favour," he said.

Iraklis won the race the hard way. He was under incredibile pressure, having won his last nine New Zealand starts. The first of them, a win on the grass at Motukarara, was the launching pad in 1996 for the Cup in 1997. He went through the next year gaining experience, getting the ringcraft, as Cameron and May charted the course to the Cup. On the day, he was as fit and ready as any horse in the race, and those who challenged this and that were never convincing.

There was a hic-cup at the start when he paced away, and then scrambled. Further down on the track, his stablemate Anvil's Star did the same. Up front, where Iraklis was nowhere near, Brabham, then Smooth Dominion, and finally Anne Franco were leaders. Sharp And Telford, not the horse he was at Kaikoura, worked round early to sit parked, and that was the early activity. Driver Ricky May made his move with Iraklis at the 1400 metres. With a lap to go, Iraklis was second. May had declared his intentions. Those who reckoned that Iraklis had to be saved for one giant uppercut now had to watch and see if he could do the 15 rounds. "I never doubted his ability to stay," said May. "He was jogging on the corner. The only reason he lost the lead was because he shied at the crowd. He'd never seen people that close on the inside before," he said. So the favorite prevailed and so many went away happy. He took 4:00.9, a fast run on a windy day.

Smooth Dominion almost made a goose of the pundits after a perfect drive by Anderson. Aussie rep Sovereign Hill made solid headway from five places deep on the inside to run third, and was stiff, being held up twice over the last 500 metres. The 'Mike Tyson' who did not deliver was Sharp And Telford, who ran 12th and last of those who finished, with apparent leg problems.

Cameron, 59, who watched the race on television in the driver's room because there was no room in the stand, played down the achievement with his usual laconic modesty, saying winning any race is a thrill. "I didn't think the other horse would run him that close, but a horse can come out of the trail and do that. It's great for Kyp. We have been partners for 10 years and even when I've made mistakes there has never been a cross word between us. For me, you could say this is another era over," he said.

Kotzikas got into the racing game in 1976 with a galloper, named Cypriot's Pride. He admits to spending millions on buying and racing well-bred horses, Iraklis one of the dearest at $85,000. He is superstitious, and his two best horses - Iraklis and the outstanding Australian galloper Lavross - both have seven letters, which must have something to do with good fortune. Perhaps he thought of this before choosing his partner in harness racing. Or is it coincidental that "Cameron" just happens to have seven letters!


Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HR Weekly

Bogan Fella wins the Derby from Franco Enforce

1997 SMOKEFREE NZ DERBY

An Auckland-based horse that nearly died on his last visit to Addington returned there to snare one of the biggest prizes of the 3-year-old. Bogan Fella, trained at Ardmore by Mark Purdon, caught a severe bout of travel sickness during Cup Week in November when he trekked south to tackle the $148,500 Sires' Stakes Final.

At the same time as his illustrious stablemate Il Vicolo gallantly captured his second consecutive NZ Cup, Bogan Fella was battling a respiratory infection and high temperatures and beat only five home in his event the same day. "It was quite serious and he could have died," recalled Purdon. "He had an awful run in the Sires' Stakes Final but went better on Show Day to finish third."

The $125,000 Smokefree New Zealand Derby was a different story though, and Bogan Fella put an end to the eight-race winning streak af race favourite, Lavros Star. Back early from marble eight at the mobile gate, Bogan Fella improved with cover to sit parked momentarily before securing a one-one sit over the final lap. As expected, Lavros Star was in front and setting a cracking pace. The early speed duel with Franco Hat Trick, which saw the first 800m race by in 56.7 seconds, took its toll down the home straight though. Bogan Fella got to the front and held it, just, from Franco Enforce who came from a "mile" back at the 500m. Franco Hat Trick came out of the trail to run third, ahead of the gallant Lavros Star and Atitagain.

Such was the dominance of Lavros Star, a $1.20 shot who had won the first two legs of the triple crown so convincingly, even Purdon himself had doubts about his winning chances. "I thought we were racing for second really," he admitted after the event. "I was pleased with Bogan Fella's efforts on the first two nights though; he had felt better on the second night and was stronger again tonight. "He is a great little stayer though and he really tries," he said.

Bogan Fella's time for the 2600m mobile event was a sensational 3:11.6, a mile rate of 1:58.5. The performance was a New Zealand record for a 3-year-old colt or gelding, and ironically bettered the previous mark held jointly by stablemate The Court Owl and Winning Blue Chip. Bogan Fella will round his season off with a couple of starts at the Rowe Cup meeting later this month.

Purdon, who has already had to break in a new helmet this season, will have to buy himself another pair of driving glasses after losing his on Saturday night. Fully equipped when he left the changing room prior to Bogan Fella's event, Purdon was minus his glasses by the time he got to the stables to collect his Derby hope. Bob Cameron, a "rival" trainer on the track but Purdon's great friend off it, duly obliged by supplying the winning horseman with a pair owned by Ricky May.

Credit: John Robinson writing in NZHR Weekly

Iraklis home free in the 1996 NZ FFA

1996 AIR NEW ZEALAND NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

In Greek mythology, Hercules was a hero of superhuman strength. Son of the god Zeus, and of Alcamene, a mortal woman, Hercules was set 12 impossible tasks to to gain his freedom. Miraculously, he did so.

On Show Day at Addington, racegoers had the devine pleasure of witnessing the Hercules of modern day harness racing, his name - Iraklis. Pronounced I-rark-lees, the name is Greek for Hercules, and part owner Kypros Kotzikas could not have given this amazing animal a more appropriate title. Son of Vance Hanover, himself a "god" amongst pacing stallions prior to his demise, Iraklis stunned the harness racing public during the running of the $100,000 Air New Zealand Free-For-All. The event on Show Day had everything.

From the moment Iraklis slaughtered a high-class field in New Zealand Record time on Cup Day, the build up began. Trainer Bob Cameron stated his intention to take on the "best" pacers in New Zealand via Friday's Free-For-All. But then the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's field selection committee seemingly tried to stop, placing Iraklis second on the ballot. The pendulum swung back towards the Iraklis camp though, with the scratching of Vic's Vance, another defection would enable Iraklis to take his place in the field. Cameron and Kotzikas decided to scratch Anvil's Star from the Free-For-All, a predicament made easier only because of the fact Anvil's Star had "lightened up" since his run for second in the Cup.

So it was all on, Iraklis would get the chance to prove himself after all. The buzz amongst the crowd prior to Show Day's event was electric. Even in the Press Room there were some noted harness racing scribes who thought Iraklis couldn't do it; some did though. Just minutes before the race during an interview with Trackside's Sheldon Murtha, Cameron, not known for revealing everything on his mind, was asked how he felt about Iraklis taking on the Cup winner, Il Vicolo. His reply: "We'll give him one helluva fright today". How right he was.

Anvil Vance took the early lead until Bee Bee Cee went round him. Iraklis, guided through beautifully by Ricky May, settling three back on the outer. Surprise Package kept the tempo sizzling, forging to the front after 700m, and as the challenges came around, Iraklis was shuffled back. Rounding the showgrounds bend, the 4-year-old was surrounded by a wall of horses and towards the tail of the 14-horse field, albeit off the rail. May followed Desperate Comment all the way down the back straight. Rounding the home turn, he pulled Iraklis out to challenge, but they were still a good two lengths from Surprise Package, with Il Vicolo eyeballing the leader. Once straightened though, May asked Iraklis to go and that he did, zooming to the front with ease. The race was over in seconds, Iraklis coasting to the line to win by nearly two lengths from Brabham, Whale Of A Tale and Hoppy's Jet, who were the only ones to make any impression down the straight.

Those who do not already think that Iraklis is a champion, will have to one day change their way of thinking. Sure he hasn't won any major Cups, or even two consequtive New Zealand Cups which in itself is an amazing achievement, but he hasn't had the chance to either. Who could have believed that a horse, just a 4-year-old with a mere 21 starts under his belt, would dish out such a comprehensive beating to the country's best pacers - and do it with simplistic ease. And as ominous as it sounds, Cameron remains adamant that we won't see the best of Iraklis until he is five or six.

Bypassing the Monsanto Mile, on the 1996/7 list for Iraklis is the $400,000 Sydney Miracle Mile on December 6; the $250,000 Victoria Cup in Melbourne on February 1; the $450,000 A G Hunter Cup, also at Moonee Valley, on February 15; and the Adelaide Inter-Dominions in March.

Many of the 12 tasks given to the mythological Hercules involved the capture or killing of certain animals. Rest assured though, the only capturing the 1990s Hercules will do will relate to Cups, titles and record times. And there will be no bloodshed as Iraklis continues to slaughter his rivals on the race-track.

Credit: John Robinson writing in NZHR Weekly

John Hay, There's A Franco & Wayne Francis

1996 NEVELE R STUD NZ OAKS

There was no-one more appropriate than Wayne Francis to step up and receive the trophy for the Nevele R Stud New Zealand Oaks.

One of the doyens of the New Zealand breeding industry, Francis won the race with his Holmes Hanover filly There's A Franco, who came from behind Highland Park and Party Party to win pulling away. As co-proprietor with Bob McArdle of Nevele R Stud, Francis sponsored the race, a Group race he won earlier with Preferred, a Boyden Hanover filly Malcolm Shinn raced with him.

His second winner was driven by John Hay, a very capable horseman he employed as private trainer at Spreydon Lodge nearly two years ago. He knew that Hay would take time to get the results he was hoping for. "When he came, he really had to start from scratch. They were foals and yearlings, and There's A Franco was one of those he has brought through from a yearling. There have been others, like Franco Hat Trick, who we just sold for big money, and No Way Franco who had more natural ability and more speed but got a virus, bled and will go to stud next season. We could actually have been in the nice situation of having two top runners in the Sires' Stakes Final and the DB Fillies final, but we have only the filly. I'm looking for a super horse, like everyone else, but I also have to apply commercial judgement and this is what I did in the case of selling Franco Hat Trick. I have the mother, and I have her daughters," he said.

For Francis, winning the Oaks was a thrill. In terms of prestige, it falls short of winning the New Zealand Cup and Inter-Dominion Grand Final, which he did with Stanley Rio, but owning the sire and dam gave him a different satisfaction this time. Tango Franco, a daughter of the grand racemare Tempest Tiger, earlier left This Time Franco, also by Holmes Hanover, who won the DB Fillies Final after finishing second in the Oaks a week earlier. Tango Franco was one of 20 mares Francis sent to the stud's new import Falcon Seelster this stud season. As pleased as he is with the combination so far, the conservative Francis predicts brighter days ahead..."this time next year, I'd be surprised if we can't look back and be pretty happy with the results."

The race itself was a tight, testing event, with some drivers electing to go for the penalty as they rejected the push-out rule outside the 1000 metres. Greg Hope was fined $500 for this, and it cost Barry Purdon, who followed him out, $350. The main sufferer was Impact, one of the favourites, who instead of improving three wide, had to do it four-wide. Talking on those tactics, driver Ricky May said tersely: "Sheer incompetence, that's all it was."

Hay was fortunate to escape injury in a smash in the race after the Oaks. He had blurred vision which prevented him for driving in the latter races, but the Oaks and a win earlier behind the Geoff Dunn- trained Never Going Holme in a Sires' Stakes heat minimised the seriousness of the mishap for him.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in NZHR Weekly

Il Vicolo decorated after his victory

1996 DB DRAUGHT NZ TROTTING CUP

Il Vicolo, take a king-size bow. Take one, too, John Seaton and Mark Purdon. They returned graciously on Tuesday to the scene of their 1995 DB Draught NZ Cup win with Il Vicolo and did it again. Seaton even claimed that he brought the same notes with the same words on to use for his victory speech. Whether he did or not, Seaton accepted the Cup in his usual humble style, and if he wasn't a speechmaker a year ago he's certainly made some ground up since then. "I didn't have a bet on the horse," said Seaton. "But I looked at the tote...the public seem to know," he said.

Il Vicolo won the $350,000 classic in much the same manner as he did a year ago, with the grunt of a big V8. For much of the latter part of the race, Purdon had his foot down. The plan was to wait for no-one. "The early part wasn't that quick. That's why I came out. I knew I had to get him into it some time, and I didn't want to run the risk of being down on the fence."

Il Vicolo was the first to gain a good place of those off the 10 metre mark, soon sitting comfortably in midfield five back on the outer. He made his move forward at the 1800m, and as he did Surprise Package, two spot ahead of him, also moved out, ran to the lead which he held briefly, and then snuggled in behind Il Vicolo. "He was always going to be hard to beat from there," reported Purdon.

But we have gone ahead a little quickly here: the early order was Anvil's Star who made an excellent beginning, stablemate Anvil Vance and Surprise Package; Grinaldi broke and lost five lengths, and Hoppy's Jet did the same in midfield after 300 metres.

Il Vicolo's arrival at the summit, triggered off a wave of new blood coming forward, notably Victor Supreme, Master Musician, Hoppy's Jet, Burlington Bertie and Grinaldi, who actually levelled with Il Vicolo at the 800 metres. "He missed away," said driver Brent Mangos, "but he has gone a super race until battling on the turn. I am sure if he had have stepped we could have been in the first three." Trainer Geoff Small wasn't surprised at the mistake. "I could tell he knew it was a big occasion taking him into the birdcage," said Small.

Heading into the last 600 metres, Il Vicolo was pumping hard. Purdon knew he had Surprise Package on his back, though that wasn't his main worry. He was more concerned with something arriving as though it had just joined in, a horse that had missed the hurly-burly, much the same as Just Royce did when running him to a neck in '95. This time it was Anvil's Star, the rank outsider - Just Royce was the 13th favourite - who emerged with a wet sail from the ruck, jinking his way past tired runners in the straight. Even as close as 50 metres out, Anvil's Star was determined to beat Il Vicolo for the Cup, but then the run ended, leaving Il Vicolo safe, secure, $210,000 ahead, by three-quarters of a length. Anvil's Star was that margin better than Surprise Package, and the same ahead of Anvil Vance, who trailed, lost his place and was back on the inner beginning the last lap, and Desperate Comment, who was level last at the 600 metres, met a check at the 400m where it became tight and messy, and did remarkably well to make up the ground he did.

Purdon said this was a tougher race for Il Vicolo than it was a year ago. "I could tell he wasn't liking the last part," he said, "but he really is a champion. It is a great thrill to win it again. It is the race of the year, and he was ready for it." If Purdon had a slight concern it was whether his preparation was quite tight enough. "Last year, he was ready a lot earlier because we came down for the Super Stars in September. I was just a bit hard on him last year. He'd had two trials before we came down here, but there were only three in them," he said.

There were some tales of disappointment from those beaten, noteable being Master Musician, Prince Rashad, Desperate Comment and Burlington Bertie. They got caught up in the backwash, which was always going to be a risk in a field that while even also had its vulnerable ones.

Robert Dunn, the driver of Master Musician, said the race didn't go his way over the last lap. "The first time I decide not to make my own luck, this happens," he said, referring to being badly held up and knocked out of it when Burlington Bertie went off stride near the 500 metres. "'Bertie' was cruising, but what surprised me was Glen Wolfenden handing up on Victor Supreme at the 1200 metres after she went round." Wolfenden said: "I had a nice cart round but I wanted cover to get round round that bend. She had her chance and I've got no excuse," he said.

The collect for Seaton and Purdon was $210,000, which in round figures takes Il Vicolo just past $1,500,000. He has won a phenomenal 29 of his 44 starts. This is the horse Seaton bought as a yearling at Karaka for $21,000, had it broken in by Gary Hillier, and then gave Purdon a half share in the horse after Hillier phoned him five months later and said he was getting out of the game. Seaton has been a great campaigner at the yearling sales for many years, and while Il Vicolo was dear he is not his dearest. "That was Malakula who cost $26,000 and won three," he said. Il Vicolo is something Malakula could never be. He is something very special: eventually a stallion of immense value.

John Seaton is talking about racing him in America's Meadowlands Pace. Purdon says John is thinking of a holiday for himself and his wife, Anne. The reality may not be America, but sadly it may not be New Zealand either. Il Vicolo will soon be off to Sydney for the Miracle Mile, a race he finished second in last June.

Some great horses have won the Cup. Not since False Step in the 60's has a horse won the race in successive years. Not since Lordship, in 1962 and 1966, has a horse won two New Zealand Cups.

Il Vicolo take another bow.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HR Weekly

The Hayes Family & Chiola Cola

1996 DB DRAUGHT DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Chiola Cola gave nothing else a chance in the $100,000 DB Draught Dominion Handicap, adding to the Air New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All he won on the track a week earlier.

After setting all the pace, he pulled away to win by more than two lengths from back marker Pride of Petite, with a length back to Diedre's Pride.

The black entire son of Chiola Hanover was ably rated by Shane Hayes, who trains the 8-year-old for his father Don Hayes, and Harold and Iris Harowitz of New York.

Chiola Cola wasn't up to the class in Scandinavia last season but he came through his quarantine in Malmoin good shape to resume work. He tied up in his first race but he has improved with each race since the addition of half blinds followed his eighth at Ashburton on Labour Day where he went off stride soon after the start. Pride of Petite had no luck in the early running, but tried hard till the end.

The win gave Chiola Hanover his first Dominion winner, as well as cementing his place on the top of the sires premiership for trotters.

It was the 15th win for Chiola Cola, who ran third in the Dominion last year. He has been an honest campaigner, thoroughly reliable, and now recognised for the genuine big-time competitor that he is.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in NZHR Weekly

Owners Bill Kitcher & Geoff Hutchison with The Court Owl

1996 SMOKEFREE NZ DERBY

Mark Purdon won the $125,000 Smokefree New Zealand Derby, but not with the horse most expected. After Sharp And Telford had dominated the first two legs of the Triple Crown series, there was some doubt whether stablemate The Court Owl could pick himself up sufficiently to make a race of it in the Derby. Purdon was one who held that opinion. "I thought he was below his best on the first two nights," said Purdon. "And I said to Bill (part-owner Bill Kircher) that he may be feeling the effects of his racing," he said.

However, there was no evidence of any dullness on the track, as The Court Owl stole the show after an enterprising drive by Purdon, notably at the 1400 metres when he swooped forward during a slow patch of the race to take the lead off Sharp And Telford. "He is a good stayer and I like to drive him like one," said Purdon. "He felt keen once I got him to the front," he said. Sharp And Telford, who might have been feeling the effects of a kick on the off side knee delivered by The Court Owl during the week, did not take the final turn with complete comfort, and by then Purdon had made the most of it and skipped well clear. "I knew if I waited at the corner, he would gobble me up," said Purdon. As it turned out, Sharp And Telford cut the deficit down attractively, but never with any hope of swapping second for first.

Mon Poppy Day, the West Autralian colt, made ground late for third, ahead of Captain Rufus and Bionic Fella, who outclassed the others. Mon Poppy Day, who failed to settle during his stay, will meet The Court Owl next in the New South Wales Derby, where trainer Rod Chambers expects him to be more competitive. As Purdon is likely to stay in Auckland and drive at the Premier meeting there, Darren Hancock will be the likely driver of The Court Owl at Harold Park. Captain Rufus is another likely to head to Australia, with the Queensland Derby as his mission. Ken Tarrant's Carterton colt performed with great credit considering his travelling arrangements did not assist his preparation.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in the NZHR Weekly

1995 AIR NEW ZEALAND NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

One month ago Il Vicolo did not have the Cup meeting on his programme but on Friday afternoon he was seen in action completing the DB Draught NZ Cup - Air New Zealand Free-For-All double. It was a dream result for first season trainer Mark Purdon and Canterbury owner John Seaton who now own a one million dollar pacer in Il Vicolo.

The hansome Vance Hanover entire joins a select group to achieve this including Blossom Lady, Master Musician, Chokin, Luxury Liner and Christopher Vance. Il Vicolo was recording his 22nd win and increased his earnings to $1,026,777. "Early in the season I wasn't really considering the Cup with him as a 4-year-old," said Purdon. "He has handled it well and done a marvellous job." Il Vicolo became the 25th horse to complete the NZ Cup-FFA double and just the third 4-year-old to do this joining Lookaway (1957) and Lordship (1962).

Purdon believes Il Vicolo could run a 1:53 mile given the right conditions but was not tempted to change his mind and accept an invitation to race Il Vicolo in the Monsanto Mile. "He has had two hard runs and the Monsanto looks like being a real hard race," said Purdon. The next race on Il Vicolo's programme is the $70,000 Pak N Save Franklin Cup (M5 and faster, 3200m) at Alexandra Park. Purdon will be looking for his second win in the feature after guiding home Mark Roy to win two years ago.

Long term targets for Il Vicolo include the $250,000 Auckland Cup on December 27 and A G Hunter and Victoria Cups at Moonee Valley in February. He is likely to bypass the Inter-Dominions in Perth next year.

Il Vicolo, who won a double during Cup week 12 months ago including a win in the rich Sires' Stakes Final, had the draw against him in the Free-For-All. But leaving from the outside of the second line over the sprint distance did not hinder Il Vicolo who reached the lead after the first 800 metres. "He got to the lead with few problems with Ricky (May, driver of Lento) handing it over to us," said Purdon. "He was holding them pretty easily at the finish and had something left." He paced his last 800m in 56.8 and the mobile 2000m in 2:25.1 - the second fastest time recorded in the Free-For-All but well outside Armalight's clocking.

Purdon trained the quinella with Brabham, who finished fourth in the NZ Cup, charging home late for second one and a quarter lengths away. "He has done a wonderful job considering how many starts (17) he's had," said Purdon. "He went a huge race," added driver Maurice McKendry. Brabham will also take in the Franklin Cup at his next attempt.

Lento held third just a head away after taking the trail behind Il Vicolo for the last lap with NZ Cup runner-up Just Royce another head back in fourth place. "It was a good run from Lento," said May. "I had to use her up early and she looked like getting second half way down."


Credit: Philip O'Connor writing in the NZHR Weekly

Helen Pope receives the trophy fron Bob Stewart

1995 DB DRAUGHT DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Call Me Now confirmed his top seeding among the square-gaiters by winning the $100,000 DB Draught Dominion Handicap but this result may well have been different according to Eastburn Grant's driver Ken Barron.

"Eastburn Grant knocked his leg and missed a lot of work and had just one fast workout in the eight days following Show day," said Barron. "Up until Thursday morning we didn't know if he would start or not and he only did because it was the Dominion Handicap. Even going the time they did - if he was fully fit they would not have run him down."

The race was an exciting spectacle and many of the beaten runners were left gasping as Barron and Eastburn Grant set up a national record breaking pace. "After the start I saw Pride Of Petite begin well and I was rapt as I thought we could get the trail for the race," said Barron. "But she galloped soon after and we were left in front; I was not confident to lead all the way and win."

Call Me Now, driven by David Butt and Diamond Field made good starts from the 10 metre mark and secured prominent positions early. Chiola Cola trailed Eastburn Grant and this quartet - in the first four from the 2000m - dominated the finish. Little happened in the middle stages of the race as Chiola Cola, Call Me Now and Diamond Field were just trying to keep tabs on a flying Eastburn Grant. In the latter stages Diamond Field started to feel the pinch and it was left to Chiola Cola and Call Me Now to put the acid on Eastburn Grant. Under desperate urgings from Butt, Call Me Now dug deep in the straight and just managed to get up and beat Eastburn Grant by a short neck. Chiola Cola and Shane Hayes were trying to make their challenge between the pair with little room to do so. They were only a neck back in third place and one and a half lengths in front of Diamond Field. "I thought he may have been a little unlucky - the gap did open in the straight but too late," said Hayes. "I'm not saying he could have beaten Call Me Now or Eastburn Grant as they are two great trotters but I'm sure he would have finished even closer.

Call Me Now trotted the 3200m in 4:05.7 - 0.9 of a second inside David Moss's NZ Record produced in this race last year. "It has been great to win this race and an Inter-Dominion Final," said trainer Paul Nairn. Nairn (34) knew he had Call Me Now at his peak for the Group 1 feature. "I thought there was a little improvement in him after Cup Week," he said. "He has had a quiet time since his win on Show day and we have concentrated mainly on road work - it seem to suit him."

Call Me Now is in the prime of his career and an exciting opportunity to race in Europe in May is not out of the question. Before this Call Me Now is likely to travel north and contest feature races at Alexandra Park at Christmas time. Whether he defends hie Inter-Dominion crown at Moonee Valley in February depends on the handicap he will receive during the series. This year's seriesin New Zealand used the mobile start. "If he got 10m or 15m it would probably be alright but 20m to 30m is handicapping him out of it and would be too tough around a track like Mooney Valley," said Butt.

Raced by Paul with his father Graeme, Helen Pope and Gwynn Thomson, Call Me Now has recorded 21 wins and 12 placings for $365,770 in stakes.

Credit: Philip O'Connor writing in HRNZ Weekly