RACING Time And Tide In Fine Win At Riccarton

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31993, 21 May 1969, Page 4

RACING Time And Tide In Fine Win At Riccarton

Time and Tide handsomely justified favouritism with a stylish win in the Canterbury Jockey Club’s May Handicap at Riccarton yesterday.

But between the four and the five furlongs his Riccarton jockey, G. W. Mein, had visions of being swamped down on the inside.

Mein then had Mr D. W. J. Gould’s Dogger Bank gelding beautifully placed close to the pace but the favourite lost some of his keenness when he tried to draw level with Tumble.

“There was enough room for most horses, but not for Time and Tide,” Mein said later.

“I was then afraid that we would be swamped down on the inside when the others moved from the back, so I took him away from the fence, and he immediately came back bn the bit and finished brilliantly,” Mein said.

Time and Tide, an acceptor for the Waimate Cup on Saturday, was being switched back to a middle distance yesterday after a somewhat unlucky fifth over seven fur-

longs at the Amberley meeting. Smart Debut Lady Glory made a highly promising start in open company by beating all but Time and Tide. “We were in all sorts of trouble down on the inside because she can’t go early,” said her rider, D. Sanderson. “With a decent run she must have tested the winner.” Tumble, one of the long

shots, lasted well for third, three-quarters of a length t.hv rinrv Caiiino from Lady Glory. Sailing Home was fourth in a gap of two lengths, but her run was also meritorious.

She pulled her way into the lead at the seven furlongs and did not surrender it until they were fairly well into the straight. His Lordship, the second favourite, was going well for R. B. Marsh at the half-mile, but before they went another furlong he stopped quickly, and it was found he had bled from the nostrils. Always Well Up Time and Tide made a smart beginning but Mein eased the Dogger Bank gelding behind Chilli Bean and Sailing Home. Racing to the half-mile Time and Tide followed Sailing Home, Chilli Bean, Harold Bank and Tumble. He had a slight lead i on Tumble and Sailing Home near the furlong and continued a strong run to hold Lady Glory, which came from

mid field, by a length and a half. There was three-quarters of a length tQ Tumble which was never f ar from the leaders, and two lengths to Sailing Home, which had pulled

her way to the front at the seven furlongs. Sail Away came from the middle for fifth, ahead of Bevlyn and Harold Bank which, with Middy and Glocca Morra, were slow away. Watchman, which has been freshened after a middle distance campaign at the Marlborough meeting, gamely beat a big field of sprinters in the Westport Handicap and completed a T.A.B. double worth $35.90. The bracketed pair, Billy Joe and Aeolian, both outfinished the strong favourite, Bargain Hunter, and supporters of the Riccarton stablemates received a concession double dividend of $9.90. Game Effort Watchman, a four-year-old gelding by the speed sire, Pakistan 11, was bred and is owned by Mr L. R. C. Macfarlane, a steward of the Canterbury Jockey Club. Watchman showed resolute qualities to last for a handy win. N. Eastwood had Watchman in the first half dozen after a furlong or so and took him into a short lead on the home turn. The sight of Eastwood with the whip already in use on straightening up was not reassuring, but Watchman found a bit extra for every demand made on him and the others did not really look likely to peg him back.

Billy Joe came from four or five places back in the last three furlongs for second, a neck ahead of the fasterfinishing Aeolian, whose chance of reaching a place looked slim on the home turn.

Bargain Hunter had every possible chance, but after getting up to second position near the furlong he only plodded the last bit and was pegged back to fourth. Gay Doctor improved a few places from the ruck for fifth, just beating Beau Supreme, another runner for Washdyke stables.

Bellaware, the 2/3 favourite, was seventh, close at hand, but was forward of the middle of the field all the way.