By MIKE DILLON
When Ken Browne got $200,000 from England for his dashing up-and-coming jumper Trout Secrets the other day, he figured it was time to ease back on propping up jumping races in New Zealand.
For the past two or three years the Browne stable has run one and sometimes two and three extra horses in a jumping race purely to make up the numbers.
But Browne says he is disillusioned with racing's guidance at the top through the Racing Industry Board, and the management and upkeep of some of our lesser racing clubs, to the point where he no longer feels an obligation to boost horse numbers.
"The Racing Industry Board is putting up the same old faces and nothing new will result from that and just as sad is the fact that some of the lesser clubs are falling behind in jumping through lack of care and management.
"I rode on one smaller course recently which was disgraceful."
Browne has no argument with the Auckland Racing Club, whose Ellerslie jumping course is one of the world's finest, but was last night considering withdrawing Wanderlust from today's $25,000 McGregor Grant Steeplechase.
"We put in five of the 10 acceptors and, to be honest, three is as many as we want to run in a race like this.
"Fair Brother we've pulled out because he got a kick on the shin, but Wanderlust is doubtful because we're not prepared to run him to make up the numbers unless he's ideally suited."
Browne sees Mercedes Great Northern winner Royal Ways as extremely tough to beat again, but gives himself a chance with Drops O'Rain and Boon's Boy.
"Royal Ways has not gone up too much in weight and with 65kg is a very strong chance to win again.
"But Drops O'Rain comes right into the race at the distance. The four miles in heavy ground might just have got to the end of him in the big race and this distance (4900m) is ideal.
"And Boon's Boy looks even better than he did before the Mercedes."
Fine weather this week means the Ellerslie track last night was at 4.6 and bordering on heavy.
Winners will not be easy.
If ever a horse deserves to win one it's Maserati (No1, R3). He had no chance with talented Call Me Zeus when resuming at Rotorua then won here last start before losing the race in the inquiry room. He handles heavy ground well and what beats him should win.
The interesting runner is Rose Of Tralee (No1, R2). For a mare who ran in the Auckland Cup she looks well placed in this ordinary field, even with 58kg.
"She's here to retire to stud and as there is nothing for her in Sydney, we decided she could have a run or two here," said co-trainer Graeme Rogerson.
"How many starts she has depends on how she goes in this and how she handles the footing."
Last-start winner La Trion (No4) looks the danger.
The juvenile race looks tough. Elevenses (No2, R5) has two tough seconds on the scoreboard and her No 11 barrier may not be the worst factor. She rates a good each-way chance. Eleeakbar (No3) was impressive on debut.
Standing out Royal Ways (No1, R6) in the big 'chase and coupling up Drops O'Rain (No2), Boon's Boy (No3) and Reb's Shu (No5) might be the way to go.
My Willie Montague (No1, R7) has only to reproduce his last two efforts to take plenty of beating. He has found the line strongly.
Patronage (No12, R8) gets his chance to find his best form again, while Mr Mcgerkle, Clarify (No5) and Dollars 'N' Gold (No1) are trifecta musts.
Even line-up in Race 9 with Petanque (No2) making some appeal with Stylish Prospect (No6), Sir James (No1) and Yes Or No (No3) the dangers.
Harapan Kita (No6) will probably start favourite in the last. He has plenty of ability in the mud, but has been known to do a few things wrong and going right-handed for the first time, he might be a bit of a risk. Honormatic (No1) might be safer.
Racing: Jumps stalwart losing heart over direction of industry
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