RACING RAVELSTON SELECTED FOR BRABAZON

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29270, 30 July 1960, Page 6

RACING RAVELSTON SELECTED FOR BRABAZON

Cheroot Favourite For First Leg

Unless there was false promise in a brilliant sprint at Riccarton on Thursday, Ravelston should take beating in the Brabazon Handicap at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s meeting today. The result of the Brabazon Handicap will probably have a bearing on favouritism for the Winter Cup, run on the first day of the Grand National meeting next week.

Ravelston shaped like a Winter Cup prospect in winning six races in succession earlier this year.

He showed he could sprint with the best of the southerners, and that he could master a mile and a quarter.

He was one of the failures in the mile Claremont Handicap at Washdyke last week, but is very much better for that race. Ravelston is trained at Wingatui by H. A. Anderton, who now shares second position with R. J. Cochrane, of Gore, on the trainer’s ladder for the 1959-60 season, which ends today. Ben Ledi will be a second representative for the Anderton stable in the Brabazon Handicap. B. J. Anderton will ride Ben Ledi and his younger brother, H. T. Anderton, will ride Ravelston. Kinsimm, surprise winner of the Claremont Handicap at Washdyke and Glenrowan will represent the Cochrane stable in the Brabazon Handicap. Kinsimm will be ridden by 3. R. Dowling, who will finish the season with a wide lead on the list of successful apprentice jockeys. Consistent Southland will also be represented by Shangri-La, a wonderfully consistent Kurdistan mare from Riverton. Shangri-La handles winter tracks well, and could make a big impression in this, her first appearance at Riccarton. Revolver will be the lone North Island representative in the Brabazon Handicap. He was an unlucky third in this race last year, failing to get a trouble-free run when he was coming from the back. Revolver’s versatility and consistent campaigning has made him a great favourite with the Riccarton crowds, and he will get a champion’s welcome if he comes out on top today. The leading jockey, R. J. Skelton, will ride Revolver.

Hopes for a Riccarton victory will rest with Cheyenne, Blonde

Sprite. Matauwhi and Search Warrant The more drying in the track the better Cheyenne should go. He was an unlucky third in Handicap, will be pretty well a Canterbury affair, with no North Island competition, and little from other South Island districts. Cheroot Fancied Cheroot a last-start winner at Washdyke, could give Riccarton a victory. One of his strongest rivals may be Sir Pedro, an improving Hello Peter, gelding. He was a good second in the Novice Handicap at the Wellington winter meeting, and might not find the class any stronger in the Camla Handicap North Island jumpers are selected to win two of the three steeplechases run today. Nupla is the Homeby Steeples fancy, and Tepeta should take beating in the Lawford Hack and Hunters’ Steeples. They will both be ridden by V. H. Simpson, who has had much success on past visits to Riccarton. • The third steeples today is the Wbstenra Hunt Cup, for amateur riders. Top weight of 12-8 is not expected to keep a second victory in the race beyond reach of Chief Cashier. The fourth jumping race today is the Longbeach Hack Hurdles Spiloch, top weight with 10-13 has struck a very good patch of form and has won his last two races as a hurdler- He also beat the open handicap horses in the Donald Grant Memorial at Washdyke on July 2. He was not tested in his latest victory, which was at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting, and it will be surprising it he does not' match the northerners. Golden Defaulter and McKenzie, for ability.