Change Of Rider Brings Change Of Fortune

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32273, 16 April 1970, Page 4

Change Of Rider Brings Change Of Fortune

“The Press” Special Service BLENHEIM. Race-way observation on his trips south from Matamata helped N. 1). Riordan win yesterday's Manawatu Racing Club Handicap at Blenheim on Mammoth. Mammoth won the race by two lengths from Bogeyman and Arria which ran a premising trial for the Nelson Cup this week-end. Riordan had ridden against Mammoth on a number of occasions on his visits to the lower North Island. He had observed the Levin gelding’s tearaway racing style and considered that if ridden in behind he would win mor? races. Riordan elected to steady Mammoth behind the leaders in the Manawatu Racing Club Handicap. He was in the first four most of the 10-furlona race and asserted himself ovet the last furlong to win by twa lengths. A Gigantic—Fairy Mine six-year-old. Mammoth has run some fine races on South Island trips for F. C. Pratt, who prepares him at Levin for Messrs F. R. Jamieson and W. M. Young. Mammoth’s jockey had never ridden at Waterle*. until he tripped south for the second day on Monday. Mammoth was having his third race in five days and on the first two occasions he was the beaten favourite in the Marlborough Cup, with K. A. Aitken up, he had finished third and on Monday he was sixth home with W. D. Skelton’s services. Mammoth was expected to be ridden by K. A. Aitken, who eventually rode Arria, when a prior engagement was claimed by the Foxton filly’s connections. Bogeyman, handled by H. Rauhihi, held second to Mammoth after disputing the pace with Watchman. Arria, after being awkwardly placed, rushed into third place. From a Nelson Cup angle it was an encouraging race. The Blenheim mare, Silvet Fountain, was held up at the three-furlong mark so her fast-

finishing fourth was a useful I effort ! The win favourite, Durado, 1 had a check at the half mile ( and eighth was his lot The next most popular runners ’ were Silver Fountain and ’ Bogey Man. * Sharda. a four year-old Pakl . stan gelding from Otaki, empha- , sised his liking for Waterlea by humbling his Forsyth Handicap , i rivals. Though he dwelt at the start 1 and was asked to race three wide on the home turn, he . simply swamped the leaders at the furlong and scored effort- ' lessly, t He has now won four races at p Blenheim. He won twice as 8 ' juvenile two seasons back and also won the open sprint on the | first day of the meeting.

Sharda was top-weight with »-2, but a 71b allowance claimed M‘ie Awapuni apprentice, G. ps, brought this down to Raced by Mr W. Howell. Sharda is trained by C. A. Bowry, who also won the hurdle race earlier in the day. Bourbon Lass, normally a front-runner, could not match Ardfern and trailed that horse to the home turn. Bourbon Lass headed her soon after, but was in control only momentarily before Sharda swooped However, it was a useful trial for the Nelson open sprints. Bourbon Lass, which thrives on racing, won at Nelson last year, after a busy Blenheim campaign. The South Island sprinters, Hombre and Red Sash, showed improved form for third and fourth, with the tiring Ardfern and Western Gale next.