TROTTING Carmichael not to resume yet

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33241, 2 June 1973, Page 8

TROTTING Carmichael not to resume yet

It will be at least another week before J. A. Carmichael resumes race driving. The Templeton reinsman said yesterday that the back injury he received in a crash at Addington nearly three weeks ago is definitely improving but he feels he is still not fit enough to stand a day’s racing.

Carmichael tried himself out in the sulky on Thursday but the results were not encouraging enough to convince him he would get a clearance.

“We were only jogging and my back was aching all over,” he said. "I hate to think what might happen if I got behind a ‘puller’ in a race.” Carmichael’s injuries will have proved very expensive if the talented Spry Guy, which

has already won two of his four races, comes up with a peak run in the Sapling Stakes at Ashburton today. The drive behind Spry Guy in the Ashburton Trotting Club’s §7OOO event for two-year-olds has gone to W. R. Butt. He will also handle Rebel Caste, another of Carmichael’s regular drives, in the Rakaia Handicap, second leg of the T.A.B. double.

Another drive which was being “saved” for Carmichael was Happy Song, a last-start

I winner at Oamaru engaged in ! today’s first leg, the Nicoll ! Handicap. Although it could not be confirmed yesterday — J. W. Smolensk! who trains Happy Song was already in Wellington with members of his team which will be competing at Hutt Park today — it seems likely that Butt will also be offered this drive.

Although Spry Guy and his stablemate, Delbrae, will form a fairly popular bracket with betters in the Sapling Stakes they are unlikely to be as solidly backed as the highly regarded Golden Moose. This Play Bill colt, the winner of five races and placed in his other two, is almost certain to be a firm favourite.

Happy Song and Rebel Caste are unlikely to be the most popular combination for the T.A.B. double either. The issue in the Nicoll Handicap is expected to be between Approved, Game Lad and Ron Hanover. If recent form proves the best guide the top chances in the Rakaia Handicap should be Lancer Hanover, Star Guest and Jan’s Dream.

There will be quinella betting on seven of the nine races. The exceptions will be the Dromore and Nicoll Handicaps.