The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 63

Saturday, March 25, 1989 63 The Sydney Morning Herald Research shows nose up at I I-VX I IXLJIIUbL Sport that the lady has Derby form Maybe it was his Roman nose but nobody wanted Mr Brooker. It is doubtful that a top three-year-old in recent times has ever been purchased so cheaply. Mr Brooker, one of the best chances for today's Tooheys $1.25 million AJC Derby, changed hands for only $1,200. Like- Our Poetic Prince, Mr Brooker is Australian-bred, being by the American stallion Our Best Friend, who stands at Minumurra Stud, Matheson, in NSW. Our Best Friend is by the mighty Secretariat but his progeny, with the exception of Les' Choice, have hardly set the Australian turf alight.

But Mr Brooker caught the eye of Peter Hurdle, a 28-year-old trainer, who had Australian experience with Colin Hayes. Hurdle was looking at another horse on a New Zealand property when he spotted what was undoubtedly an ungainly type, but he liked him. "$1,200 and he's yours," he was told. "The owner had purchased Mr Brooker's dam lAstrol Hit to put to a New Zealand stallion when she was in foal to Our Best Friend," Hurdle recalled. The foal developed into Mr Brooker who, despite having won only two races, has become a three-year-old gelding with considerable staying power.

He ran fourth to The Gentry in the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie last December. Our Krona, also in tomorrow's Derby, was third but Mr Brooker was only a length-and-a-half behind the winner. Subsequently Mr Brooker was also a long-neck second in the St Leger over Hurdle describes him as a stayer who can take up a position close to the lead. "Around the same time as Mr Brooker I paid $150,000 for a Sir Tristram filly who is a three-quarter sister to Grosvenor," Hurdle said. "The filly, in time, will prove pretty cheap too." Certainly a better type with a more fashionable head than Mr Brooker.

But she's still a maiden. Hs? BILL WHITTAKER RACE ONE: Dazzling Flyer and Perfect Evening have the best form. While Perfect Evening probably has peaked after six races since January, Dazzling Flyer is on the way up, having raced only four times. At her last start at Randwick in February, Dazzling Flyer won by nearly six lengths in a smart lmin 10.6s for and the big track seemed to suit her. RACE TWO: Sail To Success, rated as a 12-1 chance in overnight markets, will be hard beat if she runs up to her solid third to Volterra and Atalanta's Way over at Randwick on February 7.

She missed the start, was back in the field to the tum, then ran home solidly beating subsequent Canterbury winner Whiff for third. RACE THREE: Chaleyer -certain to run the right out is well placed with 53kg. She recently ran third to Riverina Charm in the Canterbury Guineas and not much notice should be taken of her eighth to Research in last week's Storm Queen Stakes at Rosehill. RACE FOUR: Research probably does not have to be as good as either Tristarc or Rose Of Kingston, the fillies who have won this race in recent years. Today's field does not contain any Strawberry Roads, Beau Zams, Bonecrushers or Myocards.

Research has done everything right, her defeat of the good New Zealand filly Courtalista in last week's Storm Queen Stakes being a top-class effort as she conceded Courtalista six lengths start from the 400m. The brave little New Zealand colt Our Krona and Emancipation's son Royal Pardon, who has The good news for supporters of Research the filly who is favourite for today's Tooheys AJC Derby is that her ability to stay the testing at Randwick is beyond question. Additionally, as a filly, she will add to an extraordinary run of successes by females so far this season. The "girls" of the turf have won considerably more than their share of the most important races, including the Melbourne Cup (Empire Rose), Caulfield Cup (Imposera), Golden Slipper Stakes and Blue Diamond Stakes (Courtza), Rosehill and Canterbury Guineas (Riverina Charm), Perth Cup (Saratov), Gadsden Stakes (Special) and Sandown Guineas (Blixen). Some keen racing men believe it is probable that the females are not missing anabolic steroids (banned since September) as much as the colts and geldings and that it is showing in the results.

The bad news is that Research the winner of seven races against her own sex as a two and three-year-old has failed to win in six attempts against male rivals. She ran last to Star Watch in the 1988 Golden Slipper Stakes, fourth to Comely Girl (a Tilly) in the AJC Sires Produce Stakes, fifth to Full And By in the Champagne Stakes, second (by a short half-head) to Swiftly Carson in the Hobartville Stakes, third to Flotilla in the Chipping Norton Stakes and third to Beau Zam in the Segenhoe Stakes. Hardly an impressive record for a horse who will go to the post as the warm favourite at around 7-4 today and is getting only 1 kg from the males under the Derby conditions. When Riverina Charm, who is Research's filly rival but not engaged today, recently won the Canterbury and Rosehill Guineas, she received 3kg from the males under the special conditions of those semi-classic events. Research today has to carry 2kg more than Riverina Charm did in the Guineas.

However, Research's advantages are that she has come through a busy campaign perfectly sound, she can cope with soft going although she is better in firm ground, and Mick Dittman is her jockey. More importantly, in four appearances at distances of, or further, this tough Filly, who hates other horses and is liable to kick them in the parade, has won three and finished third to Beau Zam in the Segenhoe Stakes, in which she war at least three wide all the way. Research is an outstanding filly racing against an ordinary collection of colts and geldings and I think she will beat them in today's SI.2S million classic the most valuable race ever run at New Zealand trainer Peter Hurdle with his $1,200 Derby horse Mr Brooker. doesn't count at The Farm Julian Gardner Gardner comeback in Sevens RUGBY GREG GROWDEN Australian breakaway Julian Gardner is eager to use today's Tooheys International Sevens tournament at Concord Oval and next week's Hong Kong Sevens championship as platforms to resurrect his Test career. Gardner, 24, has discovered that the most contentious and competitive spot in the Australian Test team is in the backrow.

While other sections of the Wallaby outfit look flimsy and lack depth, the two breakaway and lock spots have an abundance of capable candidates tussling for the chance of playing against the British Lions this year. Gardner discovered the competition during last year's Wallaby tour of Great Britain and Italy, when one minute he was firmly entrenched in the Test line-up, and the next forced to ponder his faults in the grandstand. Gardner played in the Australian team which lost to England 28-19 at Twickenham in November and did not get a second chance against Scotland or the Barbarians when he was replaced by Scott Gourley, who became the find of the tour. The backrow power has been apparent during the Australian Sevens training sessions this week, invariably revolving around Gardner and fellow breakaways Jeff Miller and Simon Poidevin. Although Poidevin is not available for state football, he will play against the Lions if required.

Gourley has also been in attendance, acting as stand-by until it was ascertained that Miller would be fit for the tournament. Gardner is always an exuberant and even emotional trainer, and lets his feelings be known when the roll of the ball doesn't work in his favour. He keeps the pressure on himself and all around him. On the Wallaby tour, Gardner was noticeably dejected after losing his Test spot But he never gave up hope, even despite breaking his right thumb against Italy B. "No-one likes being put down," Gardner said at training yesterday.

"But it is just a matter of getting over that hurdle, and trying to do your best. There is a lot of competition for the breakaway spot, as was shown when Scott Gourley came from nowhere to get into the Test team. "Getting the Test spot back revolves around a lot of work, and I still have a lot to do. It also depends on good performances in the Sevens, the South Pacific Championship matches and the early representative matches." Gardner will share the Sevens forward duties with Poidevin, Miller and Steve Tuynman during the three matches Australia play today against Western Samoa (10.40am), Argentina (2.30pm) and Fiji (5.10pm.) The finals of the eight-team tournament will be held tomorrow. After using the early sessions to help improve the team's fitness, Australian coach Bob Dwyer yesterday devoted most of the two-hour period working on tactics, set-moves and calls.

"Everything needs to be precise and uncluttered as it is a very hard program," Dwyer said. Dwyer believes that Australia's greatest opposition will come from the top-seeded New Zealand, and the third and fourth seeded teams Fiji and Wales. The most interesting match on the opening day will be the first at 9am between Randwick and Manly, in the Sydney club sevens section of the tournament The match will involve the illustrious Ella brothers, with former Wallaby captain Mark playing for Randwick, while Glen will appear in the Manly colours. improved with racing, could be Research's most dangerous rivals. Royal Pardon, the Bart Cum-mings-tratned grey, was most impressive in his work at the Breakfast With The Stars session in the soft going at Randwick last Tuesday.

RACE FIVE: Round Opera, one of the most genuine welter-class horses in Sydney, is at his best at today's distance, His Randwick -record reads 1-1-2 in three starts. Round Opera is value at his overnight quote of 10-1. The Tom Smith-trained former New Zealander Dusky Sound having his first run here is a horse with a future but faces a difficult task first up. RACE SIX: The Doncaster, as usual, is a race of numerous chances. That grand front-runner and "mudlark" Wong is selected because he is well weighted, he does not appear to have much opposition for the pacemaking role and, most importantly, rain is forecast He grows a leg even if a few drops fall.

Paul Sutherland, enjoying a bountiful season, has a double-barrelled chance with Wong and Mystical Prince, who has barrier one and bright prospects of getting the "cold" sit on his stablemate Wong. Mystical Prince proved he can run a strong with his second to Tumble On in exceptionally fast time (lmin 333s) in the Villiers Stakes last December. Ignore his sixth to Jondolar at Rosehill last week when his rider appeared to make too much use of him in the boggy ground. RACE SEVEN: Southern Sweep, one of the most promising young horses in NSW, will eventually win races beyond but at this stage of his preparation this distance looks ideal. RACE EIGHT: The accomplished New Zealand trainer Jim Gibbs in the middle of his best season never makes the trip across the Tasman unless he has the That is why his Sir Tristram mare Dark Moments, who has sound form, will be hard to beat today and also in the Sydney Cup next Saturday.

"We needed a shake-up, an injection of new players, and these players provided it." Thomson's optimism was tempered by the loss of winger Alistair Edwards, who limped off with a twisted ankle on Thursday, and defender Andrew Bernal, sent off in the final minutes of the Cup game. Robert Ironside, having proved his versatility by playing in the mid-field and up front in recent weeks, will probably be asked to cover for Bernal. The veteran coach also managed a shot at NSL officials, suggesting that Marconi had been given an unfair advantage by virtue of having had a week's rest since their Cup tie last Saturday. In other games, Adelaide City entertain Melbourne City tomorrow while the Wollongong-Mel-bourne Croatia and South Melbourne-Heidelberg matches will be played on Monday. sidelines set Research for the Canterbury and Rosehill Guineas double, restricted to three-year-olds and ideal Group I targets for the filly.

Riverina Charm took out the Guineas double a filly regarded as inferior to Research and Conners was wide-open to ridicule. He hardly flinched when copping it on the chin, tunnel-vision for the Derby being adequate defence. Conners afforded himself a knowing smile when Research came out to win last Saturday's STC Storm Queen Stakes and gain Derby favouritism. The odds are in his favour and there is no better winner in the game. Conners and his wife, Marie, celebrated into the small hours after Research won the Flight Stakes in the spring and that Group 1 race is "little league" compared to the AJC Derby.

Old Sydney town had better look out tonight. 1930. You know, the same year that Phar Lap won the Melbourne Cup. Just two AJC Derby winners in the past 60 years for The Farm. But Conners doesn't care too much about the AJC Derby's history.

His only concern is for today's $1.25 million classic. Research is more like a colt, Conners reckons, in that his filly is tough enough to dish it out and durable enough to handle the Derby distance twice over. "The colts and geldings are not super-strong this year and it wouldn't bother me if they were," Conners said. Unlike the 3kg weight difference in the Golden Slipper Stakes, though, the fillies receive just 1.5kg from the "boys" in the AJC Derby. And Research will go one-out today 12 against one.

Conners has carried criticism on his shoulders leading up to the Derby because he had refused to IAN MANNING than a world-record 30 of the darn things. Clarrie Conners? Well, he is looking down the barrel at his first. Research is just the horse to give it to him, too, but it won't be easy. Bart Cummings will saddle up three challengers Sir Midas, Royal Pardon and Reasoning and the AJC Derby would not be the same without a New Zealand contender. Our Krona and Mr Brooker are the Kiwis this year.

New Zealand tasted success in the AJC Derby three years ago when Bonecrusher nosed out the unlucky Handy Proverb; Rosehill had its turn with Myocard in 1987; and Randwick threw up Beau Zam in last year's classic. Oh, sorry. And Warwick Farm supplied Prince Morvi in 1953 35 years ago and Tregilla in Eels face Bill Whlttaker's tips: Race 1: Dazzling Flyer 1 Perfect Evening 2 Raise Your Glass 3. Race 2: Sail To Success 1 Galspray 2 Noble Paradise 3. Race 3: Chaleyer 1 Bay Tree 2 Whiskey's Gift 3.

Race 4: Research 1 Our Krona 2 Royal Pardon 3. Race 5: Round Opera 1 True Dreams 2 Bravery 3. Race 6: Wong 1 Mystical Prince 2 Noble Clubs 3. Race 7: Southern Sweep 1 Flight Schedule 2 Shipwreck 3. Race 8: Dark Moments 1 Concordance 2 Just Trish 3.

Bet of the day: Chaleyer. Southerners out to make headway History Racing historians will gather at Randwick today tucked away in some dark corner, most likely to poke fun at the Tooheys AJC Derby favourite, Research. It will be nothing personal, mind you, even though Research can be a cantankerous little so-and-so when it takes her fancy. No, the historians will just find it difficult to fathom that Research has been trained out at faraway Warwick Farm, the happy haven for Randwick's poorer relations. Jack Ingham's brand spanking "hew complex has injected some new and impressive dollars into The Farm, but it is still recognised as a place for the battlers.

Warwick Farm-trained horses, the historians will tell you, do not win major carnival events at Randwick, especially a blue riband classic like the AJC Derby. Every major racing carnival in the world has a Derby, a jewel in the crown, a showpiece on which a carnival is built Heck, T. J. Smith has won more Prost says McLarens 'vulnerable9 MOTOR SPORT RIO DE JANEIRO, Friday: Alain Prost has admitted the McLaren motor racing team all-conquering in 1988 "maybe a little vulnerable" this year. Prost was speaking on the eve of practice for the first Formula One event of the season, Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix at the Nelson Piquet Autodrome.

With no more than three days testing of the new McLaren, powered by a Honda V-10 normally-aspirated engine behind him, the Frenchman and his team-mate, Brazilian world champion Ayrton Senna, are expecting a close challenge from their rivals. Meanwhile, Prost denied reports he was considering retiring from racing. "It is not true at all that I am thinking of retiring and I am glad to have a chance to say so," he said. 80 minutes of graft SOCCER IAN COCKERILL Victorians' cause in the short term by reining in the current champions at theSFS. Heartened by the way the goals flowed in their 6-3 triumph over St George in the NSL Cup on Thursday night, Olympic coach Eddie Thomson has indicated he will persevere with the attacking combination of 19-year-old Abbas Saad and 18-year-old Jason Bennett ahead of regulars Mike McGarry and Marshall Soper.

"I think you'll find Saad and Bennett will definitely play," said Thomson. "We've been making chances all year and it's good to see them put away. The last couple of weeks I've been disappointed by the attackers and I'd say it's time to give these boys a chance and see how they go. The southern challengers for the National Soccer League title will seek to lift the tempo this weekend as Sydney's four leading sides fight over points in local derbies. Tomorrow's meetings of front-runners Marconi and fifth-placed Sydney Olympic at the Sydney Football Stadium and third-placed St George and Sydney Croatia larking three positions back with games ia hand at the Croatian Sports Centre have opened the way for the Melbourne push.

The atmosphere will certainly be a lot less strained in Victoria tomorrow. There, second-placed Preston, lying two points behind front-rnaners Marconi, and fourth-placed Sunshine George Cross, are tipped to take full points from their games against lowly Blacktowa City and an inconsistent Apia Lekhhardt. Olympic, with two wins under tbeir belt from their last two oatings, will be happy to boost the From Page 64 McMahon is getting 100 per cent from a Newcastle Knights team which in terms of natural ability is the most limited in the Winfield Cup. McMahon's men meet his former tutor Warren Ryan and a depleted but still functional Balmain at Leichhardt Oval tomorrow. BALMAIN: Grant; Culm Bnjic Pobjic Chalmers; Neil Freemaa McGalre Elias (apt) Clarke Earned Siroaea Brooks.

NEWCASTLE: Warth; Quiatoa Day It McConnack Fraoo; Hagu Fabatr; Joaanoa A ButtnfkM Sarguu Tborac Steaatt (capt) Ctearilk. Reams: McKfcraaa Tomscad. One round gone and already Penrith and Norths are approaching the crossroads. If Penrith are to build on the promise of 1988 they'll have to show plenty at Penrith Park tomorrow. They have the fillip of Mark Geyer's having re-signed this week, and the opening of the eastern grandstand means the prese nce of plenty of partisan Panthers' fans.

PENRITH: Baker; A Stomas Bradley Mortimer A Mclodoc; Carter Alnaader; KeU) Suudobs (cast) Cerarr) McNeill Geyer Vaa Der Voort. Reatnes: lizard Walker. NORTHS: Dorahy (apt); Km Egaa Gale Fracn; Florimo Frieed; Bella Rca Haasoa Smirk A Toole I Frroca. Reserve: Larsoa. Neal Piccinelli and Dean Schifilliti are the future of the bargain-basement battlers, Illawarra.

Conversely, the Gold Coast are heavily dependent on the names from the past Chris Close, Billy Johnstone and Peter Smith. GOLD COAST: Buriesa; Goaialet Close Hunt Beasoo; McCarthy Bagaall; Smirk Johoaoae (cap!) Seller Wkitbrcad Gibbs Sltnpkins. Rescnc: Lindner. ILLAWARRA: Smith: Phillips Wbhart Mathews Mooa Hardy (oar to he omitted); Kisfetl Hammeal; Walsh (cap!) Schifilliti Carberry PkciBeiti Hcagb I RasseiL With the support of long-lost fans at Kogarah Oval and the inevitable calls to glory from the army of blohards (former coach Roy Master's acronym for Benevolent Loyal Order of Hard-headed Ancient Retired Dragon Stars) St George should be formidable opponents for Easts. Coach Craig Young showed a ruthless touch early when he cut lock Paul Upfield even though he played in the team which accounted for Illawarra last week.

Saints have a stronger, faster team than most people give them credit for. ST GEORGE: Potter: Mohr. Johnson. Mackay. Walford; Robinson.

Unnane; Gill. Fullenoa Smith. Fifita. Hoogermrf. Bailey.

Kelly. Res: TCnm. EASTS: Siha; Morris. Campbell. Melrose.

Smith; Sherlock. Spina; Hail. McLean. Mares, McGahaa, Salvatori, Treobella. Jarvis (one to be omitted).

It's only the second round, but there's something ominous about the Souths and Canberra match at Seiffert. The teams will be struggling for fifth spot according to most people's final five predictions. CANBERRA: Belcher; Corkery, Daley, Walters. Ferguson; Stuart. I Heajak; Clyde.

Dimond, Luce. Luarus, Walters, Todd. Res: Coyne. SOLTHS: Cruickskank; Loacbortom. Mavia, Lyons.

Harringtoa; Blake Colemaa; Andrews. Ellison. Roberts, Boyle. Fcaech. Hosting.

Res: Chisholm. I Roberts. Canterbury found the going hard against the Gold Coast last week, and with a weakened backline will find it even harder against a disciplined, tough, Cronulla at Belmore Sports Ground on Monday. CANTERBURY: Nissea, Raymond. A Farrar.

Corcoran. Thome: Lamb. Alchin; Langmack. Folkes, Duna, Gillespie, Thomas, Tunks. Res: Lee.

CRONLLLA: Docking; Coleman, A Ertingshausea, McGaw. Dandsoo; Specchley. Russell; Hatch, Stains, A Uiboo. Pkjkea, Wheeler, Scrensea. Res: Freestone.

Kings' strongman on BASKETBALL IAN COCKERILL eSSjwm CHEQUE Winner of Pick the Margins. PAY: SUM OF: Thirty-Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty-Eight Dollars and Twenty-Five Cents. The Sydney Kings go in search of credibility against reigning champions Canberra at the Kingdome tonight without the man they hoped would show the way this year. Ian (Moose) Robilliard, recruited by coach Bob Turner to add bite to the Kings' defence, is in the wars. In his first full game for the club a disappointing trial match loss to the Illawarra Hawks he needed stitches over his eye after tangling with a behemoth called Norman Taylor.

Later he found he had knocked his back out of kilter, an injury he aggravated at training this week. The former Newcastle Falcons and Rugby player has now been told to bide his time until the K-Mart Classic, beginning April 5, before he puts his back to the test in a competitive game. As a result the Kings have lost an important component of their 1989 team for their second trial game and Robilliard has lost an opportunity to further regain his touch after a two-year lay-off from the National Basketball League. Rated as one of the league's toughest and most durable competitors when he "retired" in 1986, Robilliard is understandably aggrieved that he should suddenly fall victim to injuries at this stage DIVIDEND 18389. $34,328.25.

with an entry by 3 of his comeback. "I didn't really know the Illawarra players so I was really looking forward to hitting heads again with Phil Smyth, Jamie Kennedy and Herb McEachin to gauge how I'm going. In my career I've only missed one game in about 190 so it's a bit annoying," Robilliard said. Although Robilliard, a physical education teacher on the Central Coast, has never had any problems with fitness he does admit the game has moved ahead appreciably in other areas. "The speed's improved with teams trying to get up and down the court a lot quicker.

And it's a lot more professional than two years ago," he commented. "As an example, in Newcastle we had a doctor that I never met If I needed stitches I had to get my wife to drive me to the hospital. Here we have Bill Webb on the bench." Come 8.15 tonight, one suspects that Turner would gladly swap Webb for Robilliard on his bench. WINFIELD CUP FLOWS OVER. Last week two people won $34,328.25 in FootyTAB.

Get your share pm Saturday. FTB51589.