Racing: Play On causes boilover

If you ever considered committing a crime in the small Cantebrury town of Darfield, last night was your chance.

Because there wasn't much chance the local policeman Peter Lamb would have caught you - he was too busy training Play On to score one of the biggest upsets in Interdominion history at Alexandra Park.

Play On, courtesy of a perfect drive from Craig Thornley, came along the passing lane to win the $250,000 trot at 47-1 after the race was thrown away by Pukekohe mare Martina H.

The latter hit the lead rounding the home bend and appeared to have the race in safe keeping until she rolled into a gallop at the 150m mark.

That not only cost her the race but third placing, which she lost in the inquiry room under harness racing's lapped-on rule.

But that was of little concern to Lamb, who stood trackside after the race stunned.

"I can't believe this. The hairs on the back of my neck are still standing up," said Lamb.

"I am a nobody in this industry. I can't believe it, I can't ... "

Lamb only started training horses four years ago aftr "mucking around with a few before then."

Play On is half of his stable and even with the bias that must create, Lamb admitted he didn't think he could win last night.

"It really is a dream come true, not that I ever dreamt it," said Lamb.

Lamb also owns the 7-year-old pony-sized Play On, who before last night had won only nine races, usually running on late in the major events.

That would have been the case again last night had Martina H not galloped, but winning driver Thornley never gave up hope.

"He was going well down the back and I even thought about coming off the markers but I thought Glenbogle would get us to the passing lane," said Thornley.

"I always he had a chance because he runs on well in all his races and from the draw he was going to get a better run than the favourites."

The win was only Thornley's second at Alexandra Park, his first coming with Bobs Blue Boy in a pacing heat last week.

"Usually on a day like this I would have been driving at the Greymouth meeting instead of being here.

"The funny thing is, I missed a winning drive at Greymouth but this makes up for it," he laughed.

While punters ignored Play On, there was nothing flukish about the performance as he trotted the second fastest 2700m mobile trotting time in New Zealand, with only upset 1991 Trotting Final winner Fraggle Rock having gone quicker.

The fast time suited veteran Major Decision, who fought gamely for second, while Pompallier was promoted to third after Martina H's relegation.

But it also meant favourites Delft (sixth) and Lyell Creek (seventh) never got into the race.

The glamour pair settled last and when the three wide line went to improve at the 1400m mark the leaders were simply going too quickly.

That saw Lyell Creek second last of the bunch at the 800m with Delft last and while they made ground late they were never winning chances.

"He made ground well in the straight but things neevr really went our way," said Delft's driver Tony Herlihy.

"He didn't trot perfectly on the bends in the last 800m but he still did a great job."

Trainer Tim Butt was disappointed but realistic about the runs of his two millionaire representatives Lyell Creek and Take A Moment.

"Take A Moment ran out of race fitness and Lyell couldn't get close enough because of the speed the leaders were trotting."

One of the other favourites Allegro Agitato lost her chance at the start, galloping at the dispatch point and never catching the bunch.

* Mister D G finally broke his Alexandra Park duck when he captured last night's $40,000 Interdominion Pacing consolation.

The seven-year-old came from the one-one to justify his favouritism for 2700mm mobile event, holding out London Legend by a nose.

It was the first time Mister D G has visited the Alexandra Park winner's circle, contuining a family trend after his champion mother Blossom Lady won the 1991 pacing consolation on the track she also struggled on.

"It was a game performance because he has had a hard season," said trainer Tim Butt.