EUGENIE MAY GO TO ELLERSLIE

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31655, 16 April 1968, Page 4

EUGENIE MAY GO TO ELLERSLIE

Eugenie, the winner of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Champagne Stakes at Riccarton yesterday, may be taken to Auckland for the Wills Championship Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday. High Delight won this race in the same colours, those of Mr and Mrs A. E. Preston, last year, and Eugenie could be a certain starter if W. D. Skelton is available to take the ride. Eugenie was taken north last evening. She was tested to the utmost in winning yesterday’s Champagne Stakes, Sharif going under by only a nose. These two youngsters from the North Island eclipsed the other runners. Eugenie's win, her fourth, gives her high ranking amongst the first season performers. Earlier wins included the Wakefield Challenge Stakes and the Plunket Nursery Handicap at the Wellington autumn meeting. One of the biggest two-year-old fillies racing, Eugenie is by the Knight’s Romance horse, Cavalier, which was a winner but had the misfor-

tune to be a contemporary of Commanding. Eugenie had the speed to contend for the lead from the early stages of the race, but she had to race four wide and Sharif held to the inside position. Sharif went ahead running to the course proper, but W. D. Skelton on Eugenie never allowed him to get far away Just inside the furlong Sharif appeared to be safely holding the hot favourite by about a long head, but Eugenie pulled out that little bit extra to secure a nose victory. Sharif did not make matters any easier for himself by drifting out towards the middle of the track. Allspice was five lengths back third, but her placing had its merits for she was one of the slowest beginners. Every Post was a head back fourth Fined $2O The Washdyke horseman, C. L. Reeves, was fined 820 by the judicial committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club yesterday. Reeves had been engaged to ride Autobank tn the Opawa High-weight but was not at the course in time to be weighed out. He was replaced by W. D. Skelton.