RACING Indian Chief due for change of luck

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32634, 16 June 1971, Page 9

RACING Indian Chief due for change of luck

Indian Chief, the unsuccessful win favourite in a steeplechase that became an officials’ nightmare at Oamaru two years ago, will attempt to improve his record on the Oamaru course in the Aubrey Memorial Steeplechase next Monday.

Mr J. D. Gregan’s 10-year-old has been runner-up in his two races over country this year, and again showed hi s reliable qualities when schooled at Riccarton yesterday.

Indian Chief was ridden by M. Thornley in a run over eight fences with Master Leigh (D. Tucker) and Mr Raad (G. Jackson). Mr Raad jumped to the

. front at the double the first . time, but G. D. Lee’s pair quickly closed on him again. * A Cowan will ride Indian s Chief on Monday, as he did [in the sensational steeple- . chase at the Oamaru winter meeting in 1969. 1969 RACE Indian Chief will again be opposed by Lambano, winner of the 1969 race—a race in which the minor placings were not determined until about two and a half hours after the finish. Nelhaven had finished second and Cherokee Brave fourth but both horses were disqualified for taking the wrong course. Dry Time was placed second, Mighty Tam third, and Kumai fourth. Kumai had been pulled up and taken back to complete the course, and was seventh past the post, but at the request of his rider, A. K. Robinson, the famous grey was weighed in. Cowan had pulled Indian Chief up on finding he had failed to go outside a flag near the seven furlongs. FORM RUNNERS Other form runners for the Lee stable at Oamaru will be Irritate (Novice Stakes), Tussle (Trial Stakes), and Best Game and Solved (Kakanui Hack). Solved was an impressive winner over a mile against maidens at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting last month.

M. Thornley will ride this

Mystery gelding, also Mr J. B. Douglas-Clifford’s pair, Tussle and Irritate, whose placed runs at Waimate will command respect. G. W. Mein has ben engaged for Best Game, which followed up a good second at the Amberley meeting with a fifth after pacemaking over 9f at Riccarton. RICCARTON GALLOP

Best Game (Tucker) and Solved (Thornley) shaded Lord Sheeny (Sanderson) in a six-furlong gallop on the No. 6 grass at RicacrtOn yesterday. They finished abreast in 1.21 3-5, running the opening three furlongs in 40 1-5. Besides Best Game, Mein will ride Sea Serpent and Bimerah at Oamaru. Sea Serpent looks one of the stronger chances in the Elderslie Hack Handicap, after sound runs for a second and two fifths in her three starts on her present campaign.

Magic Man, whose recent racing and training should have brought him to his peak for the Champion Hack Handicap, will be ridden by E. G. Low. He was paired yesterday with his stablemate, Warrington, to run six furlongs in 1.23, the final three in 40 1-5.

I Spy recorded one of the outstanding sprints of the training in beating Shiraz from the three furlongs in 39 4-5.

I Spy has been entered for the open sprint at the Ashburton meeting next week.