Cranieigh Regains Form

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31770, 29 August 1968, Page 4

Cranieigh Regains Form

The former New I Zealand galloper, ' Cranieigh, seems to ‘ have recaptured his youthful zest in Australia. Cranieigh, by Dogger Bank . out of Dixie Leigh, has won

his last three races, the most recent at the expense of the good galloper, Prince Grant. He was bred in Canterbury by Mr and Mrs H. T. Prebble in 1961, and entered the Washdyke stable of W. P. Hogan, who trained him for J. Y. Scales of Christchurch. He showed ability above the

average and it was not long before Australian interest became apparent. His first race was at the South Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting at the end of December, 1963, when he ran fourth to Patriot At Kurow a few days later he had little difficulty beating a small field of maidens by two lengths and a half.

His next race was his last in New Zealand. He lined up for the Middle Park Plate at Riccarton in February, 1964, but was a well-beaten second to Stageland. It was then announced that the youngster had been sold to Australia for an undisclosed price. Little was heard of him for nearly four years and a half. But the records show that he was tried extensively throughout New South Wales, but in 49 starts gained only one win—in a Novice Stakes when ridden by D. Lake.

He was produced at Rosehill on August 10, over one mile and a half. The track was heavy, and when the other riders were quite content to dawdle for as long as possible, the rider of Cranleigh decided to adopt frontrunning tactics. Cranleigh won by three lengths and a half. He confirmed that effort with an equally impressive win a week later. Over the same distance in the Warwick Farm August Handicap he won by a length in the mud, although he was down to three-quarter pace at the finish. Similar tactics were adopted there.