RACING Riccarton a rich field for Otago trainers

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33380, 12 November 1973, Page 8

RACING Riccarton a rich field for Otago trainers

The Otago “firms” of G. B. Thomson and H. A. Anderton and son have prospered hugely on Riccarton forays in the last few years—and there was no break in the pattern at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s New Zealand Cup meeting, which ended on Saturday.

Mellay Vite, trained by H. A. Anderton, downed the fancied runners in the Metropolitan Handicap, first leg of Saturday’s T.A.B. double, while Mr G. B. Thomson’s courageous mare, Show Gate, won the Churchill Stakes to leave her unbeaten in two starts at the meeting, and in four starts this season.

A week earlier. Show Gate had won the Stewards’ Handicap, on a day memorable for the outsize of surprises sprung by the veteran Watallan for the R J. Anderton stable in the New Zealand Cup.

Three years ago. the Andertons played out the successful theme, with variations, at Riccarton. Then, Watallan won the Metropolitan Handicap a week after Princess Mellay won the first of her two New Zealand Cups for the H. A. Anderton stable. In 1969, Mr Thomson won the New Zealand Cup with the long shot. Middy, and Princess Mellay carried off the New Zealand Oaks.

Last year. Brown Satin, also trained by H. A. Anderton. won the New Zealand Oaks — and on New Zealand Cup day this year added the

Riccarton Handicap to her < record on the course. ;< Anderton has both Mellay Vite and Brown Satin for the 'Auckland Cup, but will noth

decide about an Ellerslie campaign for a week or two iyet. There are no bonus points I for knowing that Mellay Vite land the Metropolitan runner-

up, Rose Mellay, are both by last season’s champion sire, Mellay. To make such a quinella possible, Rose Mellay bashed home late from far back, failing by a neck to get to Mellay Vite, which was in splendid position to go through with her run once Soberano carried the field up to the tearaway Frederik. Magic Touch and Ribaldo were only noses away, with

three-quarters of a length to' the fading favourite, Almoss. j Show Gate showed match-1 less gameness to last it out' for a head win over Zamia' in the Churchill Stakes. Less than an hour earlier,' Funny Way had improved the Otago score by winning the Black and White Whisky Handicap, the successor to the Members’ Handicap, for the stable of J. R. Dowling, a son-in-law of H. A. Anderton.

Backers of the favourite, [Kalmia, in the Black and ! White Handicap had their i hopes dashed early. The Taranaki sprinter began to lug i badly after about 400 metres, and when J. Walker i endeavoured to straighten her the bit slipped through [her mouth, leaving the jockey Iwith little control.