RACING Billy Joe Picked For Riccarton

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31595, 5 February 1968, Page 4

RACING Billy Joe Picked For Riccarton

Riccarton will show few signs of an inch and three-quarters of week-end rain if, as expected, the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting opens in settled weather today.

The dub’s decision to postpone its programme on Saturday saved all concerned from the prospect of racing in bleak, showery weather on a heavy track.

Under the influence of stiff breezes yesterday Riccarton dried to such an extent that the track could now be little worse than easy unless there is another setback in today’s weather.

Next Hesse and Billy Joe remain a likely combination for the T.A.B. double, run on the Midsummer Handicap and the Craven Plate. A. J. Stokes, Billy Joe’s rider in the Craven Plate, also has bright prospects of an earlier success with Shipmaster, the top-weight in the Lyttelton Handicap, second leg of the on-course concession double.

Shipmaster appears to have thrived since he raced at Trantham, where he was a close second in the Camp Handicap on Wellington Cup day.

The combined efforts of The Medico and Solicitor could give Otago a successful start for the meeting In the Hornby Highlight, first leg of the course double. The Medico will be ridden by B. J, Anderton, who had much success with this four-year-old’s half-brother, The Wanderer. Day’s Racing Forgone

"The Press" Special Service INVERCARGILL. The Winton Jockey Club has decided to abandon one day's racing this season. The club postponed Its spring meeting on October 7 and has been unable to secure a suitable date for

The Winton club’s only meeting this season will now b* the winter fixture at Invercargill on Hay 11. "Although we have decided to abandon one day’s racing it is for this season only," Mr H. J. Lillee, secretary of the club, said yesterday.