FROM STUD AND STABLE Dyak boosts Skelton record in 2-mile races

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32901, 27 April 1972, Page 8

FROM STUD AND STABLE Dyak boosts Skelton record in 2-mile races

Dyak gave the Levin jockey, W. D. Skelton, his eighth win in a twomile handicap when he triumphed at Avondale on Tuesday. It is a splendid record by the former South Islander, but it still falls short of the one fashioned by his younger brother, R. J. (Bob), on the top stayers.

Bob Skelton has ridden winners of 10 twomile races, Great Sensation giving him a great lift with his three Wellington Cup victories.

It was through the good offices of Bob Skelton that Bill Skelton secured the winning ride on Dyak in the Chalmers Handicap at the Wellington Racing Club’s autumn meeting. Bill Skelton also won last year’s Chalmers on Noir Filou and in 1961 he won the corresponding race, then known as the Autumn Handicap, on Yeman. The records of the Skelton brothers in the two-milers are:— R. J. Skelton Wellington Cup: Great Sensation (3), Ark Royal, City Court. New Zealand Cup: Oreka, Princess Mellay. W.R.C. Autumn Handicap: Lancaster. W.R.C. Chalmers Handicap: Palisade, Fairfleet. W. D. Skelton Auckland Cup: Lucky Son. Wellington Cup: Loofah. New Zealand Cup: Foglia D’Oro, Noir Filou. W.R.C. Autumn Handicap: Yeman. W.R.C. Chalmers Handicap: Noir Filou, Dyak. Avondale Anzac Day Handicap: Dyak. Mare sold Elleybec, an English-bred mare imported by Mr and Mrs R. E. Adair in 1970, was bought recently by Mr and Mrs C. K. Long, of the Norfolk Stud at Masterton. Elleybec foaled to Tiber last spring, and is again in foal to the Inglewood Stud’s young imported stallion. Foaled in 1967, Elleybec is by Tacitus from Sugar Sauce, by Hard Sauce from Happy Holiday, by Fun Fair from Sunny Path, by Singapore. Spring plans Three attractively-bred imported mares at Mr D. B. C. Allin’s Morwenstow Stud will be mated next spring with the handsome Fountainhead.

Mr D. B. C. Allin’s decision to send Moana Loa to the patriarch of his stallion line-

up is specially interesting. Moana Loa, a daughter of Fighting Don and Flowing Lava, belongs to the same family as Gold Nib and Foxbridge and her consort next spring will be one of Gold Nib’s most famous sons.

Moana Loa is in foal to Greek God.

Impish 11, a daughter of Palestine II imported by Mr All in in 1970, foaled last spring to Greek God and is again in foal to that horse. Three Bee, a winning daughter of Bleep Bleep, foaled an Orbiter colt last

spring and is again in foal to that horse.

Fountainhead, one of the greatest sprinters produced in New Zealand in the last 30 years, is now rising 17 years and although he is carrying them lightly Mr Allin has already given some thought to a possible successor.

What better than a good son of Fountainhead? And one of list season’s crop of foals might fill the bill admirably. This youngster is a brother of Coaster, - an impressive

winner of two recent races from R. B. Taggart’s stable, and a young horse that might distinguish himself in the best company at middle distances next season. Mr Allin intends to race Coaster’s young brother before trying him at stud. Mr Allin bought Coaster’s dam, Welcome Inn, cheaply at auction in Christchurch. Recently he leased a rising three-year-old sister to Coaster to Mr L. Watson, of Christchurch, and this filly has joined J. Lalor’s team at Ashburton.