FROM STUD AND STABLE Television Documentary To Be Shown Again

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31360, 4 May 1967, Page 4

FROM STUD AND STABLE Television Documentary To Be Shown Again

In response to many requests, the locally-produced television documentary “Coming Into Line” will be screened again in Christchurch. The Canterbury Jockey Club has received this information from CHTV3.

The club has written to the manager of CHTV3 expressing its appreciation to all concerned with the film, which deals with thoroughbred breeding and racing.

Particular mention was made of Mr D. J. Scott, who was technical adviser and originator of the project.

Some of the more enthusiastic comments about the film came from people who are not interested in racing, but who might now be keen to learn more. Television has been a medium to attract bigger crowds to the courses overseas, and New Zealand racing could profit from it as well. In 1953 attendances, and betting figures, soared on American tracks. Regular racing crowds were swelled by hundreds who had seen telecasts of the grey, Native Dancer, winning the leading three-year-old classics. Being a grey. Native Dancer could be easily followed throughout his races. Much of the excitement and atmosphere of these great occasions in the American season’s round rubbed off on people who then switched from being home viewers to course patrons. Doubtless the same would happen in New Zealaind. A race such as the Great Northern Steeplechase with a famous grey such as Kumai in the field would be a tremendous spectacle on television. Would it be too much to hope for a nation-wide telecast of such a race, or of one equally famous, if not as valuable: the Grand National at Riccarton? Famous Family Raeburn revived memories of the brilliant racing career of his half-brother Ribot when he won the rich Italian race, the Premio Parioli, one mile, recently. The official winning margin of three and a half lengths was considered to flatter Raeburn’s rivals. Raeburn, a bay colt by Botticelli, is the 14th living produce of Romanella (by El

Greco), which was 21 when she foaled him. Romanella is still going strong. After being barren in 1965 she foaled a filly named Remondina to Botticelli's son Antelami that year. “Cotton Fingers” The Australian jockey George Moore took his tally to four wins in England when he won on St. Padarn in the Tudor Stakes at Sandown Park, Surrey, last Saturday. There has always been the touch of the spectacular about “Cotton Fingers” Moors, and his feat of riding a winner at his first attempt on his present campaign in England was right in character. This winner was the Queen’s Hopeful Venture, which was bred by the National Stud and was one of the only two yearlings retained at the dispersal sales. Moore’s handling of Happy Venture in the Wood Ditton

Stakes came in for high praise. “The style in which he changed his whip from right hand to left at the crucial moment was superb,” “Audax” wrote in “Horse and Hound”. Moore gained a welldeserved reputation in England in 1959 when he won the Two Thousand Guineas on Taboun, and many other good races on Sheshoon and others. English racing owes much to Moore, “Scobie” Breasley, Ron Hutchinson, W. Williamson and other Australians for the excellence of riding standards. It is one of the great joys of racing to see highly skilled

riders in action, but New Zealand has passed over opportunities to bring some of these great horsemen here. A show of enterprise by one of the major clubs could be rewarded, perhaps, with an international race in the summer to bring Lester Piggott, and the top American, French and Japanese riders as well as one or more of the great Australians here after they ride in the Australian international. There is a dreary sameness about many New Zealand summer racing programmes. An international, with the Skeltons and G. F. Hughes pitted against the distinguished overseas riders, would be a tremendous attraction and could in some measure lift New Zealand riding standards.