RIVERTON CUP MEETING

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28249, 10 April 1957, Page 4

RIVERTON CUP MEETING

Handicaps For First Day

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, April 9. Handicaps for the Great Western Steeplechase and the Riverton Cup on the first day of the Riverton Racing Club’s Easter meeting which opens on Saturday, April 20, are:— i GREAT WESTERN STEEPLECHASE, of £1200; about three miles. —The Tongs 10-9; Chief Light 10-2; Capet 10-1; Culton, Ironside 9-13: Yankee Modesta 9-7; Mystify 9-1; Haughty Step, Infidel 9-0. RIVERTON CUP, of £1500; one mile and a quarter and 150 yards.— Good Abbot, Cheerio 9-5; Spring Night 9-4; Ocean Flight 9-3; Canon, Royal Warrant, Regardless, Pilot Light, .Montrose 8-7; Cornflake 8-6; Cock Crow, Blackfellow, Rathkeale 8-4; Dusty Miller, Suphero, Desert Cloud 8-0; Treasure Pond, Exodus 7-13; Liban 7-12; Landon. Allan, King’s Lace 7-11; Obelisk 7-9; Portree, Felicitous 7-8; Defallock, Rhythmonic. Lucky Bill, Fiery Creek, Meadow Gold, Gypsy Tap, Cashmere 7-7.

BRILLIANT TRIAL BY MA REINE

A. Ward Accepts Ride In Doncaster

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SYDNEY, April 9. The Sydney jockey, A. Ward, accepted the ride on the New Zealand mare. Ma Reine, in the Doncaster Handicap after she galloped brilliantly at Randwick today. N. Sellwood was just as quick to accept Ma Heine's stablemate, Field Chief, as his mount in the Sydney Cup.

Both horses amazed with the brilliance of their work, and they dispelled any doubts about their fitness It was their first hard test since they arrived in Australia, and it was obvious both Ward and Sellwood were there to assess their galloping ability. Field Chief ran the last seven furlongs in Imin 28sec. which was an astonishing effort considering the condition of the track. With Ma Reine, he completed the last five in Imin 4sec, which is good time for a stayer.

"I’ll ride her in the Doncaster," declared Ward to trainer A. E. Didham before he dismounted from Ma Reine.

Ward had been offered the mounts on Ray Ribbon and the Newmarket Handicap winner, King’s Fair.

There were rumours that Ward would wait until after he rode King's Fair in work at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning before making a decision, but Ma Heine’s effort was all that was necessary to convince the jockey of her chances in the Doncaster.

Sellwood announced yesterday that he would ride Field Chief in the Chipping Norton Stakes and the Sydney Cup. After the gallop he made certain that he had the mount on the New Zealand stayer in both races.

Both Ma Reine and Field Chief tightened up in the betting on the double after their work today. Bookmakers have laid the stable double for a huge amount. Late yesterday afternoon there was a solid move for Ma Reine in the Doncaster, and she was coupled with numerous Sydney Cup horses for big amounts.

Shoal Withdrawn Shoal will not run in the Great Autumn Handicap at Riccarton on April 22. Her trainer and partowner, J. F. Tutton, said yesterday that he was dissatisfied with Shoal's weight of 8-11.