OVERPORT LODGE RUNNERS SETTLE FOR SECOND
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones was pleased with the debut runnerup effort of P-Forty-Seven filly Glenferrie Magic behind unbeaten Dancing Diamonds in the Group Three “American Ideal” Stakes at the Cheviot meeting at Rangiora on Sunday, March 6.
Mark made the most of the one barrier leading up, then getting pressured for the lead from the 800m to the home turn.
Dancing Diamonds, parked before gaining a breather behind the improving Here We Go Again beginning the final 800m, cruised home to make it four from four for the Mark Purdon/Grant Payne-trained daughter of Bettor’s Delight, who sold for $110,000 at last year’s NZ Premier Yearling Sale.
She came clear by 1 3/4 lengths from Glenferrie Magic, who held Lively Kamwood by a head for second.
“It was a good run first-up,” Mark Jones said of his runner.
“We got attacked a little bit down the back which made it a bit harder for us, but Dancing Diamonds was a bit too good for us,” he said.
Dancing Diamonds paced the mobile 2000m on a sticky track in 2:29.8 (2:00.5 mile rate), the leaders running their last 800m in 58.7s and their final 400m in 29.7s.
The Jones stable also had to settle for second to the Purdon/Payne stable in the $15,000 Cheviot Licensing Trust Cheviot Cup, with Lethal Rocket maintaining his consistent formline, running former NZ Derby/Easter Cup winner Sleepy Tripp to a head at the end of the 3200m.
Lethal Rocket was given a great trip two and three back on the inner and powered home through the centre, but Sleepy Tripp, parked over the final lap, showed his usual tenacity to hold narrowly but well.
Sleepy Tripp paced the 3200m in 4:08.9 (2:05 mile rate), the leaders quickening over their last 800m in 57.7s and closing 400m in 29s.
The winner, Auckland-bound for the Inter Dominions, took his record to 12 wins from 40 starts for earnings of $729,624.
By Jeff Scott