Mr Mink Examined After Coming Last

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31210, 7 November 1966, Page 4

Mr Mink Examined After Coming Last

The American-owned Mr Mink had his first taste of defeat in the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday.

After running last in a field of 16 MiMink was examined by the club’s veterinary surgeon, who could find no signs of distress but found that the colt’s heart recovery rate was abnormal.

Mr Mink carried 25,571 5s doubles tickets and £6872 10s in win and place betting. Wavering, a six-year-old from Marton, completed a “lame-horse” double with a decisive win in the Canterbury Jockey Club’s £2OOO race. Supporters of 1768 tickets on the Royal Bid-Wavering

combination received £259 for £l. The failure of Star Belle, a three-year-old from Auckland, to reach a place was another surprise of the Stewards’ Handicap. Star Belle was the only runner backed with any confidence to beat Mr Mink, but she was a well-beaten tenth. She had dwelt slightly at the start but was handy at halfway.

The Waikato jockey, N. D. Riordan, told the stipendiary stewards after the race that Mr Mink had showed characteristic early speed to lead, but had hung badly and attempted to run out near the junction with the course proper.

Riordan straightened Mr Mink but the colt had noth-

ing left and dropped back through the field.

Jetmate was left in front when Mr Mink dropped out but Wavering caught her outside the furlong and sped away to win by three lengths in Imin 10 4-ssec, a grand gallop after showers during the afternoon.

Wavering was sore after a gallop last Tuesday, and was again limping after her race. Pharasal, third starting the last furlong of the Stewards’ went through with his run solidly for second. Captain’s Command caught Jetmate close to home and beat him by a neck for third. Janeville supplied one of the features of the race by getting up for fifth after drifting to the tail of the field at the start.