The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 79

Page 79 SPORT i rsonics rea back The Sydney Morning Herald, February 8, 1986- Bruins and Supe dy to bounce siit jjT Jr If" i im? f3M4 73yQE i JM nn HE NUMBER of empty plastic seats at tne Mate Sports Centre on Friday and Saturday nights during ing prospect we've got that sort of quality." To further strengthen the squad the Bruins have picked up Australian fringe player Robert Scrigni from Nunawading and centre Chuck Harmison, an import, from Coburg Giants. Bankstown's other import will again be forward Vince Kelley, a big hit last year. The area in which the Bruins have consistently come a distant second to the Supersonics, marketing and promotion, will receive a marked boost this season. Powerplay International, run by Bob Pritchard and part-owned by Dr Geoffrey Edelsten, has bought the club and will concentrate on boosting the Bruins' image. Let's Get Physical (Mick Dittman) beating Foystaan (Peter Cook) in yesterday's Randwick barrier trial.

Inspired (third) was too wide to get in the picture but was only about a length behind Foystaan. Oakleigh prospect runs a brilliant trial ittman will Get Physical denis from Bankstown and Bris- bane Bullets guard-forward Audie Matthews. As if to underline the Supersonics' resurgence "The Big will be back. Wells reportedly turned down a playing contract in Tampa Bay, Florida, to link up with his old club. This time, however, he will not be able to mix playing with his coaching.

The governing body of international basketball, FIBA, has ruled that Wells cannot return to the amateur ranks a second time. To say that there is rivalry between the Supersonics and the Bruins is to understate the point. The two clubs may share the same stadium but that is where the similarity ends. That Bankstown have had a hard row to hoe in their seven years of NBL competition is unquestioned. The club has been in the shadow of the more publicity-conscious' Supersonics for much of that time, and many have said the Bruins have suffered from a lack of image.

But the club has been quietly and efficiently building the foundations for a revival. It began with the signing of Australian point guard Damien Keogh from Nunawading Spectres last season and has been slowly maturing as a committed youth policy begins to pay dividends. Coach Robbie Cadee, a man with many years' experience at the highest level of Australian basketball, was lured to the Bruins as a player in 1980. He made the switch to coach in 1983 and has experienced the agony and frustration as the club has struggled to stay afloat. But now there is a smile on his face.

The jigsaw, which at one stage looked an impossible dream, is starting to come together. "I genuinely believe we have the side to make the play-offs this year," he said. "Where we go from there is anyone's guess, but we've got a good crop of youngsters coming through and this club has a lot to look forward to. "I'm a firm believer in giving local kids a chance. And really, they are the ones who make the difference.

"To win the title you have to have good Australian talent because overseas imports generally cancel each other out. With players like Greg Hemmings and Ray Dawson starting to come good and Glenn Dunsmore, whom we picked up from Manly, looking an outstand- While the rest of the country was tuning into the basketball boom they were running on empty. winter is gradually diminishing. It has taken time, not to mention blood, sweat and tears, but Sydney is waking up to basketball. When the lights switch on at Homebush Bay for the Bankstown Bruins or Sydney NEC Supe rsonics, the two National Basketball League teams who share this city of 3.5 million people, hope is in the air.

Today, more than at any stage of the NBL's seven-year history, that optimism is justified. Time is a commodity which both Sydney clubs have struggled to afford. While the rest of the country was tuning into the basketball boom they were running on empty. Early in 1984 it looked as though the Supersonics would fold. Waiting for the boom that never came their chief sponsors the Sydney Basketball Association simply ran out of cash.

The same fate looked likely for the Bruins towards the end of last year. Costs were not being offset by money through the gate and the future looked bleak. But saviours were on the way. If they were not knights in shining armour then Mike Wrublewski and Bob Pritchard were the next best thing. Although Sydney has never been a stronghold of the game administrators were committed to establishing a foothold in the city.

They needed it for the NBL's credibility. -The Supersonics, known as the Astronauts in their early days, were one of the original members of the NBL when it was taken off the drawing board and into the courts of Australia in 1979. For four seasons they floundered in the lower half of the points table. But in 1983 a buying spree and a successful coach, Owen (The Big O) Wells, yielded them top spot at the end of the home-and-away games. It was, however, a false paradise.

One bad game, the play-off against West Adelaide (78-91), cost them a place in the money-spinning finals series and the bottom dropped out of their world. By the start of the 1984 season the situation had deteriorated into player strikes, walkouts and the resignation of Wells as coach. With no money in the kitty to pay the players the SBA was forced to field a second-string team for most of the season. RACE But in the darkest hours a glimmer of hope had emerged. The NBL and the NSW Basketball Association approached Wrublewski, an Suburbs pharmacist and Hakoah club director, and offered him a four-year franchise of the Supersonics.

After gaining an assurance that he could pick his own management team, Wrublewski and his partners took on the responsibility of knocking back into shape a team which was $100,000 in the red. It has taken the best part of 18 months to clear up the mess. But as the 1986 season approaches there is light at the end of what was a very dark tunnel. "Getting into Homebush was the key," Wrublewski said. "At Alexandria there was no future.

Now we can entertain 5,000 people in comfort and give them something to look forward to. "I believe in American-style razzamatazz, but that won't get you anywhere unless you have a good product to go with it. "That means a strong team, a winning team, and I'm confident the Supersonics have got that this year." With a $200,000 three-year sponsorship with NEC sealed early this year, solid financial foundations have been laid. In their first year of private ownership last season the Supersonics showed a 375 per cent increase in attendances, averaging 2,500 at Homebush. With imports Tiny Pinder, Jerry Steurer and then Wayne Kreklow capturing the imagination the team at least entertained while it endured an inconsistent season.

This year Pinder, one of the NBL's great personalities, is back as one of the Supersonics' two imports. The other will be Wilson (Spider) Washington, a 208cm first-round draft pick for the Philadelphia 76 ers, whom Wrublewski insists will be a hit with the fans. The club has completed its recruiting with the signing of promising youngster Andrew Sval- -TALK Hwi. Tristram Rose (stabiemate to Born To Be Queen) delighted Begg by finishing second to the tearaway Rustglow with Born To Be Queen a hard-held fourth in the fourth trial. Bart Cummings' big, "green" gelding Tracosta enhanced his bureeonine reputation by winning ered he could not have done much better," Orb's trainer, Les Bridge, easily over Some good judges say this Sir Tristram three-year-old maiden is an AJC Derby horse.

Bob Thomsen who "made" Avon Angel (by Avon Valley), produced another of the progeny of that fine sire yesterday. Nova Edition. This unraced filly bolted in and looks a bright prospect for coming two-year-old races. She is raced by the Southern Cross Syndicate, which has a sure-fire winner here. Classicella, from the Neville Already they are locked in a battle with Wrublewski and the NBL over their efforts to change the club's name to Sydney Weststars.

Yet the interclub rivalry can only be healthy. Both Wrublewski and Cadee believe that any publicity is good publicity, and if that involves the classic media jousting then so be it. Certainly the NBL is happy if the two clubs xan create greater interest in the game. According to NBL director Mr Tony King the game needs a stronger Sydney presence. "It's fair to say that in the profile of remarkable success the NBL has enjoyed over the past two years Sydney has been left behind," he said.

"But now, for the first time, both clubs are looking solid and competitive. For our (the NBL's) credibility it is vital that they maintain that growth." 'Jockey Mick Dittman, who rode Let's Get Physical to a narrow win in a speedy barrier trial at Randwick yesterday, has accepted the mount on the lanky grey colt in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfleld on February 22. Clockers were checking their after Let's Get Physical dashed through the rain-sodden going in the amazing time of 46.1s for 795m. Foystaan, Inspired and Orb all ran stylish trials, finishing behind Let's Get Physical. Inspired was the most interesting runner as this was his first start since he bowed a tendon 12 months ago.

The big, temperamental chestnut was carrying a great deal of condition and Theo Green had him bandaged on both forelegs. But he galloped brilliantly. He could probably have run past both Let's Get Physical and Foystaan whom he trailed all the fray. "I think he might be as good as ever," apprentice Darren Bead-man said. Beadman should know Cor he won the 1984 Golden Slipper Stakes on Inspired.

He added: "I had a handful of horse all the way down the straight. I concentrated on keeping him wide in the better going away from the cut-up section. He was full of running all the time, Orb, stabiemate to Let's Get Physical, also trialled well. He missed the start, coming out two lengths behind his five rivals, Uien had to work around the field Let's Get Physical, on the fence, and Foystaan turned on the pace. Orb, who is to resume from his 'spell in the Welter Handicap at Farm on Tuesday, did a job to hold his ground in the straight, although he was several lengths behind Inspired in fourth place.

"He was racing a Golden winner and a Blue Dia-'-mond winner. All things consid- Artwork by ROSS HOWARD said. "He missed the start because he slipped as he jumped." The track was wet and slow after being ploughed by 14 earlier trials on the A grass, yet Let's Get Physical and Foystaan, who finished together, ran the 795m in the official time of 46.1s. Some dockers got them as fast as 45.75s. Bridge, delighted with the grey sprinter's work, said the three-year-old would leave for Melbourne next week and would attempt to win the Oakleigh Plate first up.

The move to despatch Let's Get Physical to Caulfield, thus bypassing the early autumn events at home, seems logical as the grey is a Caulfield specialist, having won the Blue Diamond Prelude and the Blue Diamond Stakes double there in fast times a year ago when he proved himself such a precocious two-year-old. Yesterday's 795m dash involving Let's Get Physical (Dittman), Foystaan (Peter Cook), inspired (Darren Beadman) and Orb (Mark De Montfort) was the highlight of one of the most interesting set of barrier trials in many a day at Randwick. Tom Smith trotted out two of his Golden Slipper Stakes contenders. Fort Denison and Cheers For Us. They won their heats running away.

Neville Begg gave his top-class filly Born To Be Queen an easy work-out but she was full of running all the way. Four-year-old has the pace to win Thomsen tips Angel to beat Troubador Voigt stable, showed she has improved by winning the fifth heat with her head on her chest. You will certainly he hearing a lot of more of horses such as Cheers For Us, Fort Denison, Nova Edition, Tracosta, Born To Be Queen, Tristram Rose, Classicella and Cupillus. Trainer Neville Begg said he would be setting Tristram Rose (by Sir Tristram) for the Sydney Cup at Randwick on April 5. This tough-staying four-year-old has not raced since she beat Our Sophia in the Queensland Turf Club Oaks at Eagle Farm last May.

Mr Norm Swain, the Australian Jockey Club's deputy chairman of stewards, was quick to give the seal of approval to the previously barred Fort Denison after his runaway win by six lengths in the fast time of 47.5s for 797m in the 1 0th heat. Fort Denison inclined to be unruly was declared equa non grata by stewards after he ran off the track at his first and only start at Rosehill on December 14. Royal Troubador has won first-up in strong class races at his past two preparations and looks better placed with 56kg than does Avon Angel, his main rival. The four-year-old has the pace to match it with the mare early and looks value at 5-1 in overnight markets. front and seems to have taken time to get fit this time back.

With a 2.5kg claim for Shane Arnold she will take beating if she can be held up behind Imposette to the turn and make her run in the final 200m. Kibriya rises 4.5kg on her Randwick win but seems to be on the improve. DAME DU SIECLE I Kibriya 2 Imposette 3. He has race litness over Race For Pleasure who is better than he showed in his first preparation. GRETZKY I Race For Pleasure 2 Merry Ruler 3.

3 suburbs early yesterday missed Canterbury and Mr Jeffs said the field in the Clissold Handicap would register a fast time. This news pleased Thomsen and Paul Sutherland, who will saddle Royal Troubador in the Clissold. Avon Angel and Royal Troubador are not at their best in rain-softened turf. Ernie Smith, stable manager for the T. J.

Smith establishment, said last night consideration would be given to taking Feeling Fit to Melbourne for the forthcoming Oakleigh Plate-Newmarket Handicap double if he humped his big weight of 61.5kg to victory in the Paradise Welter Handicap, today. Magic Flute's fitness will hold the key to this race. She is resuming and did not have much of a hit-out in a recent trial because of the heavy conditions. Comagal is an honest filly, hard-fit with racing and is selected on that basis. Pearl Princess is not without a chance although she, too, is resuming.

COMAGAL I Magic Flute 2 Pearl Princess 3. The one fact to come out of the China Garden inquiry was that the gelding should have won clearly at Randwick. He has won over 1 00m at Canterbury and I would anticipate he will be ridden closer today over the longer trip. Eureka Stockade has not started for four weeks but looked an improving stayer' when he beat Magic Shower here last start. CHINA GARDEN 1 Eureka Stockade 2 Jogger 3.

There have been excuses for Wing Commander's previous two failures one on a rain-affected track at Canterbury and the other in the top-grade Challenge Stakes. Back to his own class here, he is certain to race well. Castle's Best was also disappointing at his latest start, but looked a promising type before that and should be forgiven one bad run. Trifecta punters should include Fire Eclipse and the strong-finishing Oxberry Way. WING COMMANDER 1 Castle's 3 MEM By BILL WHITTAKER Trainer Bob Thomsen has tipped Avon Angel to win at Canterbury today and at the same time has defended the Sydney Turf Club's handicapper.

Avon Angel is the even-money favourite for the Toohey's Frederick Clissold Handicap, in which she has equal top weight of 56kg, which represents 0.5kg more than weight-for-age. "I think the handicapper is correct," Thomsen said. "She will win I reckon, so it would be a contradiction if I said she was badly in. The STC's acting handicapper, Mr Michael Craig, has assessed Avon Angel highly and has been criticised for putting her equal with the four-year-old stallion Royal Troubador, who has I kg less than weight-for-age on 56kg. Royal Troubador has won more races and considerably more prize money than Avon Angel.

He has won $250,801, and Avon Angel $163,170. The Sydney Turf Club's track manager, Mr John Jeffs, last night predicted that the Canterbury going would be good. The rain which fell in some Future of Glenn's Thunder clouded Best 2 Oxberry Way 3. EES I The engagement of Craig Rixon for Pleasant Flight should ensure that colt of favouritism and makes him hard to beat. There seems no horse here capable of keeping Pleasant Flight out for (he lead and 55.5kg is not a harsh weight for a horse of his performances.

Splendid Speed is a smart galloper and won first up last time in work. PLEASANT FLIGHT I Splendid Speed 2 Inconceivable 3. Racegoers at Canterbury and Boorowa will see a couple of good 'uns in action between races. At Canterbury the great jockey of past years, George Moore, will be on hand to watch his son, Gary, tuLa tllA f2nAnn Qlinnur Ctilkpc Royal Troubador is the one to beat. While Avon Angel raced well against At Sea first up it was notable that handy horses such as Yallah Prince, Vain Karioi and Black Ivory were able to finish close up, which makes the form questionable.

ROYAL TROUBADOR 1 Avon Angel 2 Silver Champagne 3. By MICHAEL COWLEY The immediate racing future of Sydney's champion four-year-old Glenn's Thunder is uncertain after the pacer was struck -down by a mysterious illness in Perth on Thursday. It forced trainer Vic Frost to scratch Glenn's Thunder from last night's S60.000 Golden Nugget final at Gloucester Park, in which he was joint favourite. Glenn's Thunder is undergoing tests at the Stringybark Veterinary Clinic in Perth in an attempt to discover the" problem. "It's not very good at the moment," Frost said yesterday.

"They the vets don't know what the problem is. They have got some ideas in mind and there have been a few guesses, but at this stage they are not prepared to make a statement. It just happened out of the blue. Frost was naturally upset and reluctant to discuss the problem, but I understand that Glenn's Thunder picked up a nail in his foot and was treated with peniciU lin. After that he worked well, then his temperature rose and he became sick.

It is believed he could have reacted to the penicillin or that the nail may have caused the problem. Glenn's Thunder had been in outstanding form and was expected to lead the Sydney challenge for the $320,000 Inter-Dominion at Albion park in April. hopeful Pre Catalan through his Feeling Fit has plenty of weight but drops in grade on his solid fourth at weight-for-age. Although he has been doubtful at distances longer than he should be able to control the speed here and outsprint his rivals. Nimmity's Son looked unlucky not to win at Randwick last start and will be better suited if he can race up closer to the pace over this longer journey.

FEELING FIT I Nimmity's Son 2 Steal A Steel 3. Although Canterbury is not really his track. Gretzky appeals as a horse of' some ability. He was never going to win in a weaker grade last start, then stormed over the top when balanced. Tromper.

At Boorowa, Kingston Town will give an exhibition gallop at the annual picnic meeting. On paper Dame Du Steele's last start was disappointing in weaker class but she was forced to work hard in 'Nipper' McMullen dies Murphy has plenty of motivation Are You Interested in the By JIM WEBSTER Miles Murphy hopes that he can go a f-' lot further today towards making his parents return trip this year to Britain much more worthwhile. His father. Des, deputy principal of a primary school, won the trip for two in a competition associated with the restora-7 tion of the Queen Victoria building. He possessed an old newspaper, passed down through his family, dealing with the building when it was first opened.

f- Mr and Mrs Murphy want to use the first prize as a means of seeing their 18-year-old son running in the 400m for Australia at the Edinburgh Common-- wealth Games in July-August. 1 I He will move a lot nearer to that goal if he can win the open 400m title at the Sun Alliance State track and field champion-(, ships at Sydney Athletic Field today. Having won the national open title in i Canberra last March, winning the State ititle would seem a simple feat by comparison, except that the field for the final is not only as good as the national field it's tougher. mTP The first five finishers in the national Thoroughbred Industry? We are, and our involvement could benefit you. We are alwayson Ihe li)k(iut tor cnlhusluMii.

people whu have a genuine career interest in thoroughbred industry activities. Our involvement in the industry extends to the point where we operate the most comprehensive racing and breeding computer data base in Australia It comprises over 250.000 horses. This commitment is currently being extended to incorporate a wide range ol computerised information services to meet the ever increasing demands ol the industry. Interesting and challenging positions are becoming available across a diverse range ol work activities. These include pedigree, form and statistical research: marketing and promotions: sales: computer data entry, operations, system analysis and data base administration.

As the nation's major news and information agency. Australian Associated Press can offer career opportunities beyond those normally available. It you are committed lo Ihe thoroughbred industry and would like to convert that commitment into a rewarding career, phone or write loLccla Wiiham lor tun her By JIM WEBSTER Ken (Nipper) McMullen, who distinguished himself in Rugby Union and Rugby League, died in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Thursday. He was 44. The tenacious halfback, distinguished by his robust tackling and blind side play just as much as he Was by his red hair, had fought against cancer for some time.

In recent weeks he underwent an operation for a brain tumour. McMullen was the first Wagga-born international in any football code. But his big mistake was in being born about the same time as Ken Catchpole, the greatest Rugby player I have ever seen. He lived constantly in Catchpole's shadow, although he did play in two of the three Tests on the 1962 Wallaby tour of New Zealand, in one of the four Tests on the 1963 Wallaby tour of South Africa and in the solitary Test against England at the Sports Ground immediately after that tour in the most appalling weather conditions in Australian Rugby history. Frustrated by Catchpole's presence, and lured by the financial inducement, he turned to Rugby League and played for Eastern Suburbs from 1964-67.

In 1968 he moved as captain-coach to Dubbo CYMS, where he pushed them to four Group 1 1 grand finals in five years and won two premierships. Apart from his football, McMullen was a cricketer of tremendous ability in his youth. The first time I met him was when he was playing for NSW Colts, against Kearney, Paul Singleton and Victorian Robert Stone. The national record-holder, Gerrard Keating (ACT), has withdrawn with a tender hamstring muscle. Many observers will want to interpret much from the outcome.

If Proudlock is beaten does it mean that amateurs are faster? But Proudlock, now into his 34th year, was quick to put things into their right perspective before heading off to the 2 pm to 9.30 pm shift at the coal-face at New Vale No 2 mine. "Just remember that I've only ever had three runs on a synthetic track in my entire life," he said. "I've been running all my pro career on grass and a different style is needed when you switch to synthetic. "I'm also a bit sore after last weekend he ran in the State heats on Saturday and then won his two national' pro titles in Melbourne on Sunday. "So I don't have too many expectations.

But I do hope to go better than I did in the heats and I've always performed a bit better when I'm under pressure." The women's 1 00m final today should be another thriller. The joint national champion, Diane Holden is back after injury and looking as though she has lost little. She will be up against Queensland's Kerry Johnson, who was third to Holden and Jenny Flaherty in the last national final. Johnson will also have a tough race in tomorrow's 200m final against national champion Maree Chapman. She was also third in this event in the national championships.

Miles Murphy 'a good the field will be for the nationals. "Only Darren Clark and Bruce Frayne are missing, so what happens tomorrow will give a good indication of what will happen next month in Adelaide." The final also has an interesting personal touch. Murphy and Johnston are training partners under coach Nancy Atterton. They trained together as recently as Wednesday night, then wished each other luck and went their ways. Johnston has never beaten his younger colleague, for Murphy was still a junior when Johnston was running so well two seasons ago and, in three races after that Murphy was successful each time.

The other intriguing event today is the men's open 100m final, which will pit the Australian professional 70m and- 120m champion, Stephen Proudlock, against the national 200m champion, Clayton Lfinal were Murphy (46.86s), Alan Ozcmns Ken McMullen Queensland Colts at the SCG No 2 in 1962 in which another ambitious lad by the name of Doug Walters hit a six out of the ground and into Kippax Lake, which still ranks with the biggest hits in Australian cricket. McMullen went on to play for Country twice against touring MCC teams in Wagga and Griffith and against the West Indies in Goulburn. When his competitive sporting days ended he remained in Dubbo, where he developed a successful piggery and rain feed lot. During his last weeks in hospital three of his visitors were old pals from his Rugby days John Thornett, John Freedman and his great rival. Catch-pole.

McMullen leaves a wife, a son and daughter. inlormation. t4687s). Mark Rosenberg and Victoria 2 Thoroughbred Inlormation Services jity. Mmahan (both 46.97s) and Peter irigg (47.85s), of the ACT.

The same five will aeain be fiehtine out A. A. P. Information Services Ptv. Ltd.

(i.P.O. Box tKXS. Svdnev 200 Phone: (02 2Jh X760 Rhis final. Even hotter competition will be wadded. by the presence oi tne ivs4 Mate champion.

David Johnston, who was out athletics all last season but is now inning Murphy -said last night: "It's a pretty good field all right. It's almost as hot as.