RACING Istan Light Steeples Fancy At Ashburton

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32019, 20 June 1969, Page 4

RACING Istan Light Steeples Fancy At Ashburton

Istan Light, winner of his last two races as a hurdler, is expected to make a successful switch back to steeplechasing at Ashburton tomorrow.

He is second topweight with 9-13 in the Dromore Steeplechase, and a satisfactory performance is likely to lead to a campaign at Trentham next month. Istan Light has won four races over country, all in the colours of Mr W. E. Hazlett He twice won the Eastern Southland Steeplechase, and on the second occasion he came out on top by a length and a half from his then stablemate, Mosque, which has since shown he is in the top stream of steeplechasers. Istan Light lost his rider five furlongs out in the Dromore Steeples at Ashburton a year ago, but he has made, few mistakes in his career, and he has come back better than ever as a six-year-old this winter. He had the footing to show his good turn of speed In winning hurdle races at the CJ.C. and Amberley meetings in May, and a steady programme of training in the meantime should have fitted him for a hard-run two miles and a half. In his racing last winter and in bis latest victories he has raced in the interests of Mrs R. Dailey, a daughter of Mr Hazlett Three Winners He is one of three laststart jumping winners in the Dromore Steeples field. The others are White Rajab, which showed convincing mastery of heavy tracks and rivals at the Dunedin winter meeting, and Lambano, which came out on top in the eventful Oamaru Steeplechase last week. Lambano also won the Dromore Steeplechase last year after a great tussle with Imperial Jest, which is engaged again tomorrow. Desert Wind and Indian Chief, principals in the finish of the corresponding race at the first South Canterbury winter meeting, will come in for earnest consideration in an interesting field. So will Mighty Tarn, which should bow to none for jumping ability but presents a problem for any rider attempting to ride him off the pace. At 10 years Lord Fair does not appear to be the force which made him a strong Grand National contender two yean ago, but the Ashburton ground might show him to greater advantage than some of the southern tracks on which he has need this year. The T.A.B. concession

double will be on the Maronan Handicap and Seafield Handicap, races which should throw some light on prospects of the Trentham entrants, Glamis Lad, Meldie and Time and Tide. There will be an on-course concession double on the Hinds Hurdles and the Lyndhurst Two-year-old Handicap. Fields, with form, for the doubles are:— ON-COURSI DOUBLE

8700 New Forest (13) 9 0 9594 Sleeky Fox (9) 9 0 00 Takatua (11) .. 9 0 U.55 p.m.— LYNDHURST TWO-YRAR-OLC HANDICAP >525; 6f. st lb 1383 Lady Maru (10) 8 10 2522 Dowry (7) 8 7 3290 Dax (1) 8 5 9661 Hentelna (3) .. 8 5 8741 Red Bow (4) .. 8 5 23 Lloyd (13) 8 2 802 Diamond Hunter (2) 8 1 00 Bannock (11) 8 0 Carafin (14) .. 8 0 9 Colbrodor (6) 8 0 9 Hidden Mystery (8) 8 0 0546 Helensburgh Boy (9) R 0 80 Lord Sheeny (12) « 0 600 Mr Rhee (5) .. 8 0 T.A.B. DOUBLI 2.1S p.m — MARONAN HANDICAP $1400; Ilf. st lb 2043 Sandbank (14) 8 11 6112 Beau Supreme (i> 8 10 4332 Chango <7) 8 8 8513 Time and Tide (3) 8 8 5814 Aconite (17) .. • 7 7

11.35 a.m.— HINDS HACK HURDLES lb 1600; lim. st 4101 Loewe (7) 9 10 0942 Little Johnny (8) 9 6 0323 Cedar Bank (5) 9 5 5729 Jewel Case (4) 9 4 3204 Pee Wee (1) • 4 0035 Doctor Snoddy (6) 9 1 0509 Urban (14) 9 1 0000 Alberta (2) 9 0 60 Claremont (10) i* • 9 0 00 Donnaway (12) 9 0 8307 Jaycss (3) 9 0

6887 Bevlyn (5) 7 7 0068 Beau Leigh (4) .7 7 1338 Coral Prince (8) 7 7 0580 David William (12) 7 7 0494 Displease (11) .. 7 7 7004 Harold Bank (2) .. 7 7 5301 Lady Velvet (15) . 7 7 nos Master Leigh (13) .. 7 7 3513 My Era (6) .. . 7 7 8006 Nursie (9) 7 7 456 Running Scared (10) 7 7 5005 Sail Away (16) .. 7 7 3.30 p.m,— SEAFIELD HANDICAP $950; 7f. St lb 9511 Glamis Lad (16) .. 9 8 5155 0121 Gay Doctor (17) .. 8 Meldie (5) ..8 12 12 3909 Tumble <14) ..8 9 3281 Watchman (10) r .. 8 6 1698 Sir Limond >6) .... 8 Waterfront (2) 8 4 2223 4 4060 Cosmetic (11) 8 0 0030 Flowing Gold (3) .. 8 0 1143 Gay Baron (8) 8 0 8790 Gayspot (9) . 8 Golden Promise (12) 8 0 6178 0 0580 Joe Doe (15) . ..8 0 8988 Morris Francis (4) .. 8 0 0878 Our Leigh (7) .. 70 9009 Pango (1) ..8 0 2114 Stephanair (13) «. 8 0