R. J. Skelton offered mount on Show Gate

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33694, 18 November 1974, Page 8

R. J. Skelton offered mount on Show Gate

One of the worst-kept secrets at Riccarton on Saturday was that R. J. Skelton will partner Show Gate if the brilliant Otago mare tilts at Auckland Cup honours on January 1.

A campaign in the Auckland with a programme of lead-.up weight-for-age races to the Cup seemed now likely, Show Gate’s ownertrainer, Mr G. B. Thomson, said after his speedster won the Churchill Stakes on Saturday. Show Gate is now unbeaten in six starts this season and her career record is 23 wins and 10 minor placings for $52,272,50. Mr Thomson said he would make a final decision about the Auckland Cup after he studies the weights. The five-year-old Gate Keeper mare has been ridden in all her victories this season by the Southlander C.

Ramage, but Thomson has looked to one experienced on Auckland courses to partner her on the rich summer circuit

Skelton found the New Zealand Cup meeting less than memorable this year, but will be hoping one as good as Show Gate will change his luck and extend his great record in big cups races.

He won the last Auckland Cup on Rose Mellay. Auditor, the best of Show Gate’s rivals in the Churchill Stakes, is a stablemate of the New Zealand Cup winner Fury’s Order and may be a second runner for the Gestro-McEwan Hawera stable in the Auckland Cup.