RACING Beatnik and Palley are Riccarton double picks

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32880, 1 April 1972, Page 8

RACING Beatnik and Palley are Riccarton double picks

The combined efforts of Sailing Home, Princess Mellay, Young Ida, and others in feature races over the last few months have given the females one of their best seasons in New Zealand racing.

Beatnik and Palley might make meaningful contributions to that grand record by winning the Canterbury Jockey Chib’s T.A.B. double races at Riccarton on Monday. Palley is the top-weight in the second leg, the Great Easter Handicap. Beatnik, a five-year-old Better Honey mare from Bulls, will be the North Island's only runner in the first leg, the $7200 George Adams Handicap. But her connections have the stimulus to return and tilt at the southerners through Beatnik’s close second to Golden Sam in the inter-island race at Riccarton in February. Beatnik supplied one of the memorable features of the race for her tenacity in a sustained duel with the Wingatui stayer. Luck went against her hours before the race started, with the arrival of a seasonal complaint And W. D. Skelton went out with the instruction not to hit the mare because she was in that condition. Skelton showed admirable restraint with his whip hand, and while he employed every other possible aid to get the maximum effort from Beatnik he considered that two or three hits with the whip would have meant the differ ence between victory and that close second. Wingatui hope Beatnik will not have Golden Same to oppose her this time, but a feature staying race at Riccarton without at least one doughty Wingatui challenger is a rarity, and there is no such situation here. Watallan captured the admiration of Riccarton crowds with two high-class victories at a mile and a half last season. One of them was in the George Adams Handicap last Easter, when he carried 8.1 to a decisive win by threequarters of a length over Artifice, which had won the Auckland Cup a few weeks earlier. In the spring of the 197071 season Watallan had another victory over Artifice at a mile and a half in the Metropolitan Handicap, coming up with a record gallop of 2min Msec for the distance. Watallan has not won this season, one he started so brilliantly with a third in Triton’s Winter Cup, but a summer spell seems to have had the desirable result, to judge from three strong runs over shorter courses this time up. The Wingatui trainer, A. E. Didham, will produce two form runners in El Shub and Centre Gallery but the Riccarton trainers, G. D. Lee and D. J. Thistoll, must feel equally hopeful with their representatives. Lee prepares Ribaldo, a sound third in this race a year ago. a winner at the Banks Peninsula meeting three starts back, then an unlucky fifth over two miles at Trentham before an unlucky second to Regal Ration at Rangiora last Monday. Thistoll prepares Regal Ration. He has the youngest horse in the field, and one that might still be improving with his racing. Carafin, from C. McDonald’s Riccarton stable, faces this one on a light racing preparation, but this very useful Jekyll mare took the step up to a middle distance promisingly with a third behind Regal Ration and Ribaldo at Rangiora. Alamein went out of fashion at Rangiora when the track deteriorated under the influence of light rain but if the footing is firm on Monday he might be the Riccarton runner to contain all the invaders.

' There is nothing exciting i about the immediate back- , grounds of the geldings, alc though Default’s two recent 1 wins on provincial courses ■ will command more respect , this year than it usually does ' in all thoughts about this 1 long-established race. Red Boy and Elvin Spark, stablemates of the George 1 Adams fancy, Ribaldo, are ' sprinters not long back from summer spells and probably 1 likely to show more improve--1 ment than some of the 1 others. i (T.A.B. doses 10.20 a.m.) 11 JO a.m— ORAWA HIGH .WEIGHT $1200; 9f.

FANCIED RUNNERS FOREIGN AID: One of the top chances after recent seconds, one behind Regal Ratton in 1 main race at Ashburton. GAY HARMONY: A weakening fifth In main race at Rangiora, but should be all the bet- ( ... ter for that run. CHILLI BEAN: Close third In high-welght at Ranglora last 4 Monday. Consistent. CHOTA: Does not win out of j turn, but has recorded sev- • eral platings in races of this SLIDERULE: Looked very good « at times earlier but had re- 4 stricted campaign last season < and has only recently resumed. , DAVE'S GIFT: Fair second at S Ranglora and won high- < welAt at Banks Peninsula, i MENELEUS: Looked close to best ‘ form when close second In ' handicap at Oamaru last time I out. (TAI. closes 11 a.m.) * IXl# p.m.— CHAMPAGNE STAKES #3000; two-year-olds; If.

. FAMCUD RUNNERS BELAY: Stylish winner at Ashburton last time out. Has winning form at Riccarton and looks at least a place chance. HAGEN'S JOY: Easily beat Belay and Dhow into minor pladngs in Middle Park Plate, Riccarton, Feb. 5. Best run since he was fifth in Oamaru's feature race for two-year-olds last month. MOUNT ASH: Easy winner at Rangiora on Monday SURGEAGAIN: UnluckJ ’not to take third prize in Wakefield Stakes at Trantham last time out. Won this distance at Wellington Cup meeting and runner-up to Falrhead in Canterbury Challenge Stakes. One of top chances. DHOW: Fell close to home when in contending position in Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes. Good second at Oamaru the time before, after impressive win at Banks Peninsula. REACHFAR: Beaten a head at this distance at Awapuni last week after leading into last furlong. (T.A.B. closes 11.4# a.m.) U.S# p.m—-

r R. Thomas c Balloted out with right of re- ’ •n*ry:— >. ooon M««4her cjg r 7 . 00« n <«xtan Bl*v* (23) R 7 . 99 D 'nnl»wj W,Hr< R 7 1 niamonH r»n 8 7 - Brack'**?- w>ath*r Honev and Cw«af San*a w ae and J wilieve’- .T’lTnb** *nd M*’ , g” , et*R I nlrtrv Ma«-Un So*>e an* Mnst: a z >n*gtlnnn*‘ w and Running Water* t S<*vton Blake and ’ Rnver* ,< n’* 1 FANCIED RUNNERS ; HOGAN: Looked highly promising when placed in race debut on this course in February.

Bracket: Quick Magic and Quick Tide. FANCIED RUNNERS GAY ROSA: Right out of luck , in running when fourth at Rangiora. Previous wins were at Cromwell and Wingatui. Hard to beat. OTAKU: Unlucky third over 7f, Birchwood Hunt meeting, last start. HAROLD JAMES: Winner over lOf in high-weight class at Cromwell. ROBBIE BURNS: Has improved with recent racing and not the least of the chances after a creditable run at Rangiora to finish close to the third horse at IJnr. (TJt.B. doses 2.30 p.m.) 3.40 p.m.— GREAT EASTER HANDICAP $4000; 7f. 1 1751 PALLEY (5) 0-7 (4 hl My Pal—Her Ex). One of the top chances after some brilliant sprint performances this season. Not put to the test when winning at last start the Copenhagen H Stakes under 9-2 at Taranaki. D. 230 M STRAD (7) 0-3 (S g ’ Jekyll — First Fiddle; M. Jones, Washdyke). Disappointing when one of the more popular fancies at Rangiora last Monday. M. Skelton. 3 1520 QUEEN MELLAY (*) 0-1 (4 m Melay—Royal Tattoo; H. T. Anderton, Wingatui). Followed two good runs at Trentham with disappointing effort at Awapuni. won brilliantly at this distance at Riccarton In February. M. Lawson. « 9151 DEFAULT (11) 7-13 (5 g Bourbon Prince—Pendarves; M. Jones, Washdyke). Won easily at this distance at Banks Peninsula three starts back, failed at Ashburton, then won with 7-11 over 7f at Oamaru. Respected. R. McCann. 5 0400 HOMBRE (9) 7-11 (6 g Comte de Grass—Cymballo; G. Murfitt, Riccarton). Rac4 0045 SPARK (2) 7-0 <8 g Campo—Bikini; G. Lee, Riccarton). • Two promising runs thia time up and one of the likely improvers in this field. Last-start fifth was at Rangiora on Monday. G. Mein. 8 7144 LOVELY HONEY (3) 7-8 (3 f Better Honey—Pearl Grey; W. Ivtl, Awapuni). Unlucky fourth at Opunake last time. Won brilliantly over 7f at New Zealand Cup meeting when in hacks and has since won in open company. J. Mossent, 9 2114 CIRCUS GIRL (12) 7-7 (5 m Lionhearted—Very Nice; J. Lalor, Ashburton). Has been racing against hacks and a recent winner at Ashburton and Oamaru. Laststart fourth was behind Baltic Blue at Rangiora. E. Oldham. 18 1318 JUBAL (8) 7.7 (5 g Blueskin H—Sonella; J. Hurren, Hokitika). Failed at Rangiora and will find this class formidable. D. Sanderson. 11 4448 KURCHARRE (1) 7-7 (5 m Kurdistan—Becharre; A. E. Dldham, Wingatui). Consistent, but has been finding success elusive in weaker fields than this one. L. Oldham. 12 1384 RED BOY (4) 7-7 (3 g Red Jester — unknown; G. Lee, Riccarton). Was resuming after a spell when good sixth after slipping at the start in sprint at Rangiora. R. MeAra. Scratched: I Spy (10). (T.A.B. Closes 3.10 p.m.) 4.20 p.m.— PAPANUI HACK HANDICAP $1200; If. st lb

Cloudmaster (1). FANCIED RUNNERS DONNYBROOK FAIR: Brilliant finisher for close second to Baltic Blue 6f at Rangiora. This distance will-be more to his liking. MY GAME: Usually runs solid races on big courses, although disappointing last time out. Placed here in February. SOLAR FLIGHT: Good second this distance, Birchwood Hunt meeting; BALTIC BLUE: frbn at Rangiora on track not expected to suit him. One at the top chances here and will firm in favour if the . footing is good. MELAKA: Won this distance aj Vincent in January and con-slstentplace-getter since. OFFENSIVE: Resumed promisingly with fourth in highweight at Rangiora. Has been lightly raced since he beat a strong field of hack milers in only start at Grand National' meeting; - SIR RIBOT: Good run fresh up for fifth at Rangiora. fading close to home after making bid for lead. HAVN: Stylish winner in maiden class at Rangiora. Bracketed with Baltic Blue.

Appealing form Since the Great Easter topweight, Palley, won hands down on her home course in February she has come through a North Island campaign with fair credit. In her third and final start in the north she easily won the Copenhagen II Stakes, 7f, at the Taranaki Jockey Club’s meeting. It was a victory to compensate for some ill luck earlier on the trip, and it will assure her of the widest support in Monday’s race. With Queen Mellay and Lovely Honey also engaged, the females might well dominate the Great Easter finish. Queen Mellay won over 7f at Riccarton in February and has since been placed as a miler at Trentham. The three-year-old, Lovely Honey, is ideal material for a tilt at Great Easter honours from down in the weights. Her two wins this season have been over the Great Easter distance of 7f. Notable on her list of placings was a close second over 61 in the Shaw Handicap at the Ohinemuri meeting in December. That was followed by a third in the Ladies’ Mile at the Auckland Cup meeting.

MUSTAPHA: Resumed promisingly with fourth at Rangiora. HELEN'S GLORY: Prospect on her second to speedy Royal Grace at Rangiora. COMANCHERO: ’ Was having his first start for some weeks when fourth over Im. at a ora. ET'S GLORY: Third just over length from winner, Havn. 6f, at Rangiora. (T4LB. closes 12.20 p,m.) 1.30 p.m— WJUtSTEP STAKES

FANCIED RUNNERS FOXY: Recaptured winning form with victory at lim in one of feature races at Dunedin autumn meeting. Should run this race out better than most of the others. LADY MELLAY: Has started autumn campaign promisingly with two thirds at sprint distances. Quick front runner and might be hard to peg back. I SPY: Resumed promisingly with third in open sprint at Rangiora. BEV LEIGH: Has done recent racing in North Island. Third over 7f on easy track in open sprint won by Mighty Oak, Taranaki, March 13. ANNENIC: Has fatted at last two starts, but will be respected on her record at Riccarton, where she has won three races this season. JANE MELLAY: Recent winner over 9f against hacks at Cromwell. Consistent Wingatui mare.

(TAI. double closes 12.40 p.m.) (T.A.B. closes 1 pan.) 2.10 p.m— GEORGE ADAMS HANDICAP $7200; lim. 1 4574 WATALLAN (10) 8-10. (8g Bellborough — Swanky; B. Anderton, Wingatui). Big run for fourth against milers at Beaumont held high promise for his attempt to win this race for a second time. Triumphed under 8-1 last year. J. Dowling. 2 1264 BEATNIK (1) S 4 (5m Better Honey — Sputnik; M. Andrews, Bulls). Had the run of the race against her when fourth at Awapuni last week. Close second to Golden Sam at this distance in Inter-island event at Riccarton in February. J. Mossent. 3 4124 EL SHUB (8) 8-2 (7g Avocat General—Gold Seeker; A. E. Didham, Wingatui). Battling run for fourth last time out at Rangiora. Consistent, but this class might trouble him. L. Dldbam. 4 6152 RIBALDO (5) 84 (5g Rlbotllght—Fleur; G. Lee, Riccarton). One of the more obvious chances on his autumn form. Won over lim at Motukarara two starts back, then fifth over 2m at Trentham when checked close to home, and second at Rangiora after being carried wide. G. Mein. 5 4116 ALAMEIN (4) 7-12 (4h Fountainhead — Jlvaros; R. Taggart, Riccarton). Would welcome firmer footing than was offering when he failed at Rangiora on Monday. That race, his first over a middle distance for some weeks, should have done him no end of good. D. Reed. 6 4331 CENTRE GALLERY (3) 7-12 (5m Rlbotllght—Central’s Pride; A. E. Didham, Wingatui). Last-start win was in weaker field at Oamaru, but he rates a chance at this distance from the lower half of the handicap. E. Didham. 7 2711 REGAL RATION (7) 7-11 <4g Bourbon Prince—Ration Time; D. Thistoll, Riccarton). Commands respect after his recent wins at Ashburton and Rangiora. Was placed at l)m as. a hack. R. MeCann. 8 0697 BOGEY MAN (6) 74 (7g Tsaoko—Lady Benton: P. Jones, Riccarton). . Witt find this company too strong unless he improves out of sight on recent form. M. 9 (9) 74, (sni Jekvß—Pride o’ Galway: C. McDonald, Riccarton). Third . at Rangiora behind Regal Ration and Ribaldo was good run for first time over middle distance on present campaign. Scratched: Gay .Harmony (2).

(TAB. closes 1.46 p.m.) 2.55 p.m— MERIVALE HANDICAP $1500; 9f.

st lb 6322 Foreign Aid (1) M. Thornley 9 5 6425 Goy Harmony (3) A. Robinson 9 5 0600 Hombre (13) N. Hunt. 9 5 0413 Chilli Boon (4) 9 4 0. Arming 4026 Chota(14) A. Cowan 9 4 4000 Pseudonym (11) 9 3 99 Sliderule (10) 9 3 1602 Dave's Gift (12) H. Warren 9 2 1662 Meneleus (15) L. Didham 9 2 3865 Clarendon Imp (7) N. Cowles 9 1 00 Cyclone (6) 9 0 1107 Jane Marie (8) D. Tucker 9 0 2900 Mrs Castle (9) 9 0 4368 Officers Mess (5) 9 0

17## Ash (14) st lb 8 10 J. Messent nu ■May (12) E. Didharc 8 10 1195 Hagen's Jay (3) M. Skelton 8 10 0529 His Bestone (1) D. Reed 8 10 0851 Mount Ash (8) 8 10 0000 Raumanu (9) Surge Again (5) R. McCann 8 10 5124 8 10 0803 West Feint (11) E. Low 8 10 5120 Dhow (2) N. Cowles 8 8 00# Eastern Fiord (15) 8 8 8430 Hurryby (7) R. Me Ara 8 8 5072 8084 Loya?* Pal (10) A. Robinson 8 8 8 8 3244 Nana Mouskourl (4) M. Thonley £ 8 1572 Reachtar (IS) G. Mein. . b 8

C0URT8NAY MAIDEN, $1000; n. st lb 2 Hogan (17) 8 9 G. Mein 4 Mustapha (11) 8 9 A. Robinson 0220 Ribo Star (22) 8 8 I. Arming 5 Camptrtll (13) 8 8 M. Skelton 70 Flyn Flon (6) 8 8 0732 Helen's Glory (3) 8 8 E. Dldham 000 Aaron Lad (16) 8 7 0 Arlkl (5) 8 7 0 Belmondo (18) 8 7 N. Cowles 530 C<| Bay (91 8 7 7000 Chanteus* (8) 8 7 J. Messent 0954 Comanehero (10) 8 7 L. Dldham K0 Dainty Tread ,19) 8 7 D. Sanderson 0043 Dantic dSl 8 7 R. Moir 4K9 Eskav (»7) 8 7 D. Reed Fountain King (21 8 7 60 Swe»» Delight (291 8 7 M. Mein 000 Johnny Madrid (14) 8 7 A. Eastwood Jumbo (20) «. ? D. Ruff 4873 Maniarot's Glorv a) 8 7 soon Martin Spika (4) R 7 9 Most (it) 8 7 P Thlstoll 94 Ouasttonnar '30) R 7 9080 Rente Pae (25) 8 7 R Warren 9W» Wllllev*r (7) R 7 957 Soveraip**'# Son (26) 8 7

91400; Ira. st lb 6515 16S3 Foxy (7) Lady Molloy (8) 8 8 10 7 A. Robinson 4973 8 6 7039 Bov Leigh (2) 8 5 1180 Annenlc (10) E. Dldham 8 3 5415 Jone Molloy (12) 8 3 0689 Dumb-Bell (9) 7 12 4819 Goto Lover (5) 7 9 9600 Jenbor (11) I. Annlng 7 9 3431 Nivalis (4) R. McAra 7 9 1600 7436 Pretty Colleen (1) Ihleldo (6) 7 7 9 9

6114 Say Rota (5) I. Annlng Otaku (9) Bun Tuck (2) N. Cowles 8 8 2363 8 5 5430 8 4 0133 Harold Jamas (13) 8 4 5040 Quick Magic (8) H. Warren 8 4 950 Quick Tide (10) 8 0 3098 Gracious Dream (1) A. Robinson 8 2 3696 Gyrate (3) E. Low 8 2 8125 Robbie Bums (11) D. Sanderson • 1

9049 Aqualetta (16) R. McAra 8 6000 Barn Dance <4) 8 000 El Class (12) Kins'* Club (7) 8 3090 8 8080 Merrily (17) 8 9676 Sudden Change (15) G. Mein 8 1534 Valiant Lad (6) 8 7050 Witchcraft (14) R. Thomas 8

7422 Donnybrook Fair (9) D, Reed 8 3 2726 My Same (15) 8 2 0271 Baltic Blue (16) G. Mein 8 2 0 Flnetree (4) Mar Fllffht (14) 8 0 2702 8 0 4834 Melaka (19) 7 13 0434 Offensive (11) R. McCann 7 13 2807 BolMraffor (20) M. Thornley 7 12 21 Distant Blaze (7) 7 12 2750 R. McAta . Baron Air (10) E. Dldham ; 7 11 0990 Barr Bank (17) W. Lucas 7 11 4995 Sir Ribot (21) M. Skelton. 7 11 MOI Havn (18) Bonavia (12) Eastern Command (5) 7 9 0370 7 9 0010 7 10 0 I. Annins Jemma (8) Abdi Cat (13) 7 10 7 9 080 Cloudmaster (1) 7 9 01 (lay Master (22) L. Dldham 7 9 OOM Savoir Falre (3) 7 9 5806 Solved (23) 7 9 8468 Surowyn (2) A; Eastwood 7 9 9040 Vodka Lad (24) 7 9 Brackets: Baltic Blue and Havn; Sir Ribot and Bonavia. Scratched: Circus Girl (6),