RACING Ashanti survives protest for Marlborough win

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33521, 30 April 1974, Page 8

RACING Ashanti survives protest for Marlborough win

“Th* Press’ Special Service BLENHEIM. The former Douro Hack Cup winner. Ashanti, survived a protest to win the Morwenstow Handicap, first leg of the Marlborough T.A.B. double at Waterlea yesterday.

Having his first race for the Paimerston North ownertrainer, E. A. Robinson, Guido scored from fellow North Islanders, Jodie and Fortune Seeker. W. D. Skelton had Ashanti

close to the pace and on the turn he was handy as Red Gurkha and Jodie led for home. Jodie looked the big threat but Ashanti drew away

to score by a length and a

half from Jodie with half a length to Fortune Seeker and the same margin to Totara Maid. Later P. B. Smith lodged a protest of alleged interference to Ashanti near the 300 metres peg. The case was dismissed and Smith had to for-; feit his $2O deposit. "I still; feel Fortune Seeker was a certainty beaten,” Smith said after the race. Red Gurkha, Ashanti and Fortune Seeker were the best backed runners. Red Gurkha, fresh from his Marlborough Cup success, tried to lead all the way but was beaten 200 metres out.' He finished eighth. After the first four came Ash. running on, Donnybrook Fair. «eli burled on the inner, Red Gurkha. Bettylyn, which showed no daah. and the tiring Warlight. A quality galloper by Forearmed from Sweet Chariot. Guido did his earlier racing from, the atable of M. B. Andrews?

r who trained him for Messrs P. J. Harnett, of Nelson, and F. M. ’ McCarthy, of Bulls. He changed ) hands earlier this month. POPULAR RIDER - With W. D. Skelton aboard. Ashanti was well supported as he scored his first win since

taking the Tui Handicap at,’ Woodville in January. 1972. I) Ashanti has been troubled by ' injury and this caused an earlier? fine record to be blemished. ■[ The evergreen Southland 10-i year-old, General Simm. gave his, vounger rivals a galloping lesson;, >

when he took the second leg, the Montana Wines Handicap. He led over the last 800 metres and scored from War Ace. Grey Coral (wide on the turn) and Lady Mellay. The favourite. Lady Mellay, which lost many lengths when the gates opened, finished a creditable fourth. General Simm, which had raced at Dunedin last Thursday, is a 10-year-old gelding by Avocat General from Kinslmm and he is trained by a part-owner, Mr R. F. Forde, at Waihoaka near Riverton. The best backed runners were Lad) Mellay. Guido and Grey Coral. “Guido was never stretching out at any stage,” W. Skelton said afterwards.