Sports Earns Retirement Reprieve

Sunday, 25 August 2002 00:00
0824sports.jpg (17715 bytes)The threat of retirement does a lot to enhance the careers of a number of ageing gallopers and that happened again at Caulfield yesterday when Sports earned a reprieve from retirement with a thrilling win in the Group Two JJ Liston Stakes.

In a finish that tricked most, including the winning connections, Sports with Brendan Fenech riding desperately, held on to down last year’s Liston winner Le Zagaletta by the barest of margins.

0824sports2.jpg (17463 bytes)Fenech and Wayne Hawkes, who’s father John trains Sports, both thought they had been grabbed in the final stride by the Lee Freedman trained runner-up.

"I was standing and watching the race with Lee (Freedman) and I thought his horse had got us right on the line, while he felt his horse had won," Hawkes said when the winning number was posted.

"Gee I thought the other one had got us at the finish," a pleasantly surprised Fenech said.

Hawkes revealed after the race that Sports was headed for a paddock at Woodlands Stud had he not performed in a positive style.

0824sports3.jpg (12539 bytes)"So I guess he’s earned a reprieve now," Hawkes said with a smile.

Connections decided to stretch the Zeditave gelding out to 1400 metres in an attempt to lead throughout, and those plans came to fruition with the eight-year-old holding on in a photo.

Sports, now the winner of 14 races, had not started over the 1400 metres since he missed a place in the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at two, nearly six years ago.

"He’s been a tough old horse," Hawkes said. "He’s not quite up to the top level, but he still is a great horse and he proved that today."

0824sportsrtosc.jpg (15584 bytes)Unwanted in betting Sports ($26-$31) left the barriers like a rocket and was sent straight to the front by Fenech and then was forced to show plenty of fight when a challenge was issued in the final couple of strides by Le Zagaletta ($6-$7.50).

Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder ($51) caught the eye running home strongly pleasing her trainer Ross McDonald with her third placing.

Dash for Cash battled home fairly after being thereabouts throughout to finish fourth, just ahead of the favourite Elegant Fashion ($3.50-$4) who’s run was described as "pleasing" by trainer Tony McEvoy.

As expected the stayers Sky Heights, Brew, Firetaine, Silver Baron and Rose Archway all finished near the rear of the field.

PICS - Quentin Lang.