Two Winners For Local Stable

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31836, 14 November 1968, Page 4

Two Winners For Local Stable

The Riccarton trainer, J. L. Barr, who had saddled three winners at Motukarara 12 days ago, had another successful day at Riccarton yesterday when Meldie and Quetta represented his stable successfully.

Meldie earned open-class rating with a convincing win for his Christchurch owners, Messrs C. P. Hayes and M. K. Rodgers, in the Air New Zealand Apprentices’ Handicap. This was Meldie’s third win: from four starts since he wasj bought by the partnership i early in the spring. At his other attempt—in the Spring Plate last Saturday—he had been the runner-up to Cantostan.

Meldie was one of the tailenders when the rush for positions was over but D. R. Tucker brought him forward on a big run between the halfmile and the straight entrance and he gathered in Watchman and Testify inside the furlong and won going away by two lengths. Testify, which was never far off the pace, was in no fear of losing second. He held that place by two and a half lengths from Mighty Red, a strong finisher from mid-field. Watchman, which received the run of the race and led early in the run home, was three-quarters of a length

back fourth. He was clear of Punchelle and Lissom Lad, which finished wide out on the track after being slow away. RUN OF RACK Quetta improved a sound record in the colours of Mr P. P. L. Dillon, of Blenheim, when he beat the staying hacks handily in the Stonyhurst Handicap. Quetta, which had cleared maiden class at Motukarara two starts earlier, was at good odds. He paid $14.65 for a win. The northern horseman, B. F. Andrews, secured a perfect trail for Quetta to the straight. He brought him forward through a gap between Equal Chance and EHoughton at the

f furlong and he ran on strongly to win by a length and a quar- ! ter - Narcotic, which was in the r line behind the winner on the home turn, ran on well for second, a little more than a length . ahead of Stevedore, which improved three places in the run i home. Elloughton, which joined Elvin Spark and Equal Chance in front early in the run home and was the leader outside the furlong, weakened to fourth, a length and a quarter back. He saved that place by a head from Hay Burner, one of the tail-enders at the half-mile. The favourite. Dory, which had only Stamen behind her at the half-mile, led in the others.