North Island stables scoop the pool

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33818, 15 April 1975, Page 9

North Island stables scoop the pool

(“The Press” Special Service). x ’ BLENHEIM. North Island horses made a clean sweep in the nine-races carded at the Marlborough Racing Club’s fixture which continued yesterday. I hey won every race and after two days have won 17 events out of the 19 contested.

Among the North Island I victories was a triumph for I the Hawera apprentice, David j Skelton, who won both legs! of the T.A.B. double aboard, Elcano (Morwenstow Handi- [ cap) and Sonora (Duncan ’ Handicap). Skelton, who is apprenticed i to Brian Deacon at Hawera. ’ is the son of the senior jockey ; Bill Skelton. The day was the most successful in his rela- [ tively short career. He had

I never previously taken a T.A.B. double and had never! j won a middle-distance open ; i handicap. ’ Elcano was the favourite in ! the eight-horse field after his ! third on the opening day. He was kept close to the pace by jyoung Skelton who allowed him to shadow Puckle’s Pride and Jack Daniels with Bel Cavallo on the outside. In the straight Elcano came ; through to win by three [lengths from Jack Daniels, l'with four lengths to Bel Ca-

ivallo. There were no excuses jfor the beaten runners. Sonora, which had taken ■ the open sprint on the first (day, was able to carry 55kg 'With young Skelton’s services. She ouickly mastered : Dangerous Dan and Point of i Order in the straight and held off a strong challenge from Torches. Clarindella, normally a | free-goer, ran on from mid- ' field for third, ahead of the dead-heaters. Dangerous Dan and My Game.