Stablemates Take Blenheim Double

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31349, 20 April 1967, Page 4

Stablemates Take Blenheim Double

(From Our Own Reporter)

BLENHEIM.

Kalimera and Talic broke the grip of North Island horses in the major races at Blenheim by winning the TA.B. double for G. S. Barr’s Riccarton stable on the final day of the Marlborough Racing Club’s annual meeting yesterday.

Kalimera, owned by Messrs J. F. and W. Thwaites, of Hororata, beat her rivals hands down in the first leg, the Licensed Victuallers’ Handicap.

Talic gave his sprint rivals a start and a sound beating in the Fairdale Handicap. This was his first win in the colours of Mr R. S. Shaw and Miss M. Sutton, who paid 380 guineas for him at the Easter sales in Christchurch. The stablemates returned the holders of 2504 5s tickets a double dividend of £BO 18s for £l. Only the Marlborough Gold Cup winner Tuskar Rock prevented an all-South Island finish in the Licensed Victuallers’ Handicap. This North Island stayer was the best of Kalimera’s rivals, although soundly beaten. Next home were General Gilbert and Giocca Morra.

No Concern In the Marlborough Gold Cup on the first day of the meeting Kalimera deadheated for fourth when ridden by the Awapuni apprentice, N. Nicol. Yesterday, when ridden by W. D. Skelton, she was made a firm favourite, and she gave her backers no concern. Skelton had her quickly away from the stalls, then eased her into a trail after two furlongs. Half a mile out she was still second on the inside, but Skelton switched her away from the fence on the home turn and kicked her out to a clear lead near the straight entrance. She kept going strongly to win by three lengths. Tuskar Rock, which was outside Kalimera for much of the race, could muster no extra speed in the run home but lasted to beat General Gilbert by half a length. i Genera] Gilbert ran in the line behind the winner and 'runner-up to the home turn.

He beat Giocca Morra by a length. Giocca Morra was far off the early pace but got a good run through to share the third line three furlongs out. Dry Time, which was well off the pace until fairly late in the race, finished fast and wide for fifth. He was a neck from Giocca Morra and a length ahead of Chiave d’Oro. Roodyvoo was next, then Master Sheeny and Takatua. Last Early Talic was last when the field cleared the stalls in the Fairdale Handicap, but J. A. Messent worked him through on the inside to mid-field at the half-mile. By the time they straightened for the run home he was fourth. Talic did not have to leave the fence to challenge inside

the furlong and he ran it out best to win by half a length. Taxman, which had tried for an all-theway win, fought on gamely for second, threequarters of a length ahead of Debbie Marie.

Debbie Marie was fairly close but three wide to the straight. She made a bid for the lead just inside the furlong then, came to the end of her run. Waitohi, another in touch with the pace all the way, was half a neck back fourth. She beat Sabell, one of the tailenders on the home turn, by half a neck. The win favourite, Might, led in the others. He failed to quicken in the run home. 1

The meeting was held in fine weather and the track was firm. There was a fair crowd for a week-day. The on-course turn-over was £24,376, including £4148 10s on doubles, compared with £18,586 on the third day last year. The total for the meeting was £77,843 10s, compared with £64,427.