Great Western Rivals

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31028, 6 April 1966, Page 4

Great Western Rivals

“The Press’* Special Service INVERCABGILL. Saturday’s IH6 Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton promises to be a magnificent contest between the Grand National winner. Koral, and last year’s Great Western winner, John’s Mistake. John's Mistake has had the benefit of recent racing but Koral’s class may be the deciding factor. Koral has not raced since August when he had an unbeaten record m three starts over the Riccarton course. Althrugh he has not raced in the meantime he has done his full share of work and schooled it over the Riverton course for 1

the first time in accomplished style. In the Western he has 11-2 and the last horse to win the race with more than 11-0 was another Hazlett-owned runner. Lisheen. which won with 11-2 in 1949. Mr Hazlett rates Lisheen as the best of the many grand steeplechasers he has bred.

W. J. Hillis, who will ride Koral. has. already won the Western on Lisheen, Sentinel, Capet (twice), and Tadpole, all of whom raced in Mr Hazlett’s colours.

The Gore trainer E. A. Winsloe, who will attempt to win the Western for the second year in succession with John's Mistake, also won the Western two years ago with the illfated Lucky Game. John's Mistake returned to

jumping on a winning note at the Birchwood Hunt meeting when he beat a weak field. He had earlier raced on the flat, where his form was particularly good and showed that he would have the edge on most of the Great Western runners for condition.

John’s Mistake will be ridden by R. O. Cairns, who won earlier Great Westerns on No Oftence, Yankee Modesta and The Tongs. The Super gelding is a competent if not spectacular jumper and a fine stayer.

Bayline will also attempt to win his second Great Western — he won as a seven-year-old back in 1962. He has run a string of minor placings in small fields to his credit but will be hard pressed to match his younger rivals.