Long-range plan paid off

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33778, 26 February 1975, Page 8

Long-range plan paid off

A plan made last September paid off handsomely when Soldier Girl won the $5OOO Canterbury Challenge Stakes at Riccarton yesterday.

The seventh favourite in a field of 11, although carrying the confidence of her connections, Soldier Girl finished doggedly wide out on the track to nose out the Riccarton gelding Jipcho. „ Jipcho was ridden by Max Skelton, whose knowledge of the Riccarton course has paid numerous dividends when the tracks are soft. Yesterday the Takanini jockey, David Peake, on Soldier Girl, decided to “go to school” on Skelton’s knowledge.

“I thought I would follow Max because he knows the course better than I do, and when he came out looking for beter footing I came out too,” Peake said later. Soldier Girl is a chestnut filly by Old Soldier from Pendeen and is raced in partnership by Mr Brian Kelly, of Eastern Southland, and the Wingatui trainer, Cliff ReeseJones.

Mr Kelly bought Pendeen (by Knight's Romance) and Soldier Girl at a Waikato sale when the winner of yesterday’s race was still a foal. Mr Kelly sold Pendeen, then in foal to Mellay, at the

South Island sale in Christchurch last August; also a Patron Saint yearling filly. “I decided to stay with the family by keeping Soldier Girl and today’s win gave me special pleasure because she had vindicated my judgment,” Mr Kelly said. Soldier Girl is only the second horse to carry Mr Kelly’s colours. His first runner was Majestic Star, also a winner.

Guest Artist, one of two runners for the North Island, and the each-way favourite, struck the front momentarily up the straight, but was in heavier ground than the winner and runner-up, and faded into third two lengths back. He just saved that place from Sharon Jane. Blue Diamond fetches $lOOO 1 The Takanini trainer, Ivan J. : Tucker, yesterday paid $lOOO at auction for Blue Diamond, winner of two races for Mr and Mrs D. J. Thomson and Mr H. F. F. Symond. The Greek God gelding was offered after the last race on the Canterbury Jockey Clubs Benson and Hedges Inter-Isiand I day at Riccarton.