Red leaves only crumbs

BY JOHN JENKINS

While supporters of favourite Red Ruler were rejoicing the horse's decisive win in yesterday's Group II $250,000 Century City Wellington Cup, the connections of the placegetters were locked in a squabble over second prizemoney.

Judge Dick Hunt declared a dead-heat for second between Manonamission and Awesome Planet after the pair finished a length behind Red Ruler at the finish of the 2400 metre feature.

But Graeme Rogerson, co-trainer of Awesome Planet, was certain his horse had finished second on her own and lodged a protest against the judge's decision.

Both Rogerson and Manonamission's co-owners, Kim Clapperton and Andy Rennie, went up to the judge's box to view the photofinish, with Rogerson still adamant there was a clear margin in favour of Awesome Planet.

The judicial committee then went up to view the photofinish, with chairman Tom Castles eventually ruling the judge's placings should stand.

Hunt, who has been the judge at Wellington race meetings for 27 years, said it was the first time a protest had been lodged against one of his decisions.

"I've had several owners and trainers question decisions in the past but this is the first time I've been challenged like this."

While the battle for the minor placings was going on, Red Ruler's connections were celebrating the Viking Ruler gelding's second win at the Wellington carnival and his third success in a row.

Red Ruler was backing up from a win in the weight-for-age Trentham Stakes (2100m) the previous Saturday and was a runaway winner of the City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

The five-year-old is part-owned by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Guy Sargent who rated yesterday's win as his biggest thrill in racing.

"I've had more than 100 wins with different horses but nothing compares with this," Sargent said.

"This is a special win and, though the race is now a Group Two, I still rate it as a Group One win."

Red Ruler is trained by Sargent's Matamata-based brother John, who was not on course to join in the celebrations as he was viewing yearlings for the Karaka sales which start tomorrow.

"John is looking at yearlings in the hope that he can pick up another Red Ruler," Guy Sargent said.

Red Ruler's rider Mark Du Plessis rated the horse as a special stayer in the making.

"I was a little bit worried on the turn because he was a bit flat but he is right at his best and found plenty when I asked him," Du Plessis said.

PALMERSTON NORTH trainer Jeff Lynds celebrated his first Group I success at Trentham in style when Wall Street scored a dominant win in the $200,000 Harcourts Thorndon Mile.

"This is a great thrill," a delighted Lynds said. "I've been bringing horses to Trentham for years but never won a Group 1 here until now."

Lynds, 56, has been training since 1974 and is enjoying a stellar season as he has also picked up two other Group I events, with Vosne Romanee taking out the $1.2 million Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings in October and the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie last month.

Wall Street's win was some compensation for his unlucky ninth in last Saturday's $1 million Telegraph Sprint, where rider Buddy Lammas was almost unseated when the horse was severely checked 300 metres from the finish.

"I was a little bit disappointed after the Telegraph but you just have to pick yourself up again and keep going.

"I'm thrilled that the owners have picked up a big one today."

Wall Street is raced by a group that includes the Auckland pair of Gerard Petersen and Kevin Algie.

In his presentation speech Algie said his father, who died in September last year, would have turned 80 yesterday.

"There are several members of my family here today and it is a very special moment.

"I'm sure my father would be looking down on us and feeling very proud."

Wall Street recorded his seventh win from just 11 starts and winning rider Buddy Lammas had no hesitation in naming him the best horse he has ridden.

"He's just such a marvellous horse to ride," Lammas said.

"He's always got the gears there when you ask him to go."

- © Fairfax NZ News