Grey Way will be big draw at Riccarton

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34130, 17 April 1976, Page 8

Grey Way will be big draw at Riccarton

Grey Way, New Zealand’s glamour horse of autumn racing, will be a glittering attraction at Riccarton on Monday when he attempts the thirty-second win of his career.

He is an acceptor for both the George Adams and the Great Easter Handicaps, and the richer George Adams will almost certainly be chosen for him. Since he won the Great Easter a year ago. Grey Way has done some spectacular campaigning, much of it on North Island courses, and his victory over Oopik in the Awapuni Gold C „p last month has added confidence to the belief that he will also master 2000 metres under handicap conditions in the first leg of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s T.A.B. double. After all his 58.5 kg is only half a kilo above weight-for-age, which, by any form of reckoning, appears to be an invitation card with gold edging for Mr Peter South’s famous grey. A secondary bonus for Grey Way is that a good many of his rivals in the lower part of the handicap, perhaps the majority of them, will carry more than their carded weights because of a shortage of suitable light-weight riders. Fields, riders and form comments for the T A.B. double are: 2.30 p.m.— GEORGE ADAMS HANDICAP, $9000; 2000 m 1 1151 GREY WAY (17) 58.5 (5 g Grey William—Waybrooke; E. P Corboy. Washdyke). Has triumphed in the best company up to 2000 m since he won here as a sprinter on Feb. <5. One of his victories was in the Awapuni Gold Cup, at weight-for-age over a middle distance. D. Holden 2 1111 AUDACITER (16) 55 (7 g Mellay—Svelte; K. Quayle, Riccarton). One of the obvious chances after wins at his last four starts. Carried 4.5 kg more when he led al! the way at this distance at Rangiora last Monday. P. Smith 3 513* ROYAL DELL (6) 54.5 '5 r Roval Ridge—Morde’lo: B. T. Jones. Washrfvke). D»sannoirting at Hastings las* Saturday after good third there a week earlier, but one of strong chances on his form much of th* season. Strong stav*r wi*h a liking fnr the big courses, and «*’o*ild run this one out 4 2*22 MAGIC TOUCH (121 53 (7 m Kurdistan—Magic Mirr**r: E A Winsloe. Gore) Won this distance on this conr«e fn February, and ha« raced well for minor places on southern cmines since. On- of *h* brie*'**’* chahc.s ”-**h —’<«»*' In ’■••‘ights. 5 RKR«r L lao jej ry e Mv t*-i— Stone* G. Rnmnhri-n. Rf ''Cerfon't. Was racing «hnr* his *»est di«tanre pnnm at Wan < ’ ,nr a nn Von Any sh**wr. abP’*\ times over middle d«<tarcea. and might win this one at rewarding o*Ms.

Mein 4 M7i BOMNW ALOUISE fW 51) dt m Kurdt«*»n—«hort Sentence: R J Cochrane. Gore). Hard t« fancy on her run at Rangiora. Not a certain starter 7 2154 ANITA KAY M* 44.5 <5 m M*llay—Marie G»«em*nt: C Re*se-Jones. Wh)<w*ri). Won *hree races, Including the Waiknuaiti Cup at this

distance in January. Has binee won at Cromwell.

8 5466 AYUB KHAN (9) 49.5 (10 g Pakistan II —Dawn Chorus; W. G. Ivil, Awapuni). Has done most of his racing this season as a sprinter, and did not have much luck at Hastings last time out. Respected, for all his age.

W. Skelton 9 6497 CREDIT NOTE (3) 48 5 h Acharacle — Britannia's Song; W. G. Ivil, Awapuni). Impressive winner over 1400 m at Ashhurst in January, then won over 1600 m at Carterton next time out. Won over, 2000 m on this course in lower grade last season. 10 0080 BEAU TRIG (13) 47 (5 h Trictrac—Last Dip; K. Quayle, Riccarton). Back to middle distance after wind-up runs as sprinter. Mixes his form but has fair ability as front-runner. 11 6500 BENNELONG (10) 47 (5 h Lomond —Dalmain; R. Harins, Tuahiwi). Latest efforts very ordinary. 12 5220 CAPPELLO (14) 47 (4 g Ribotlight—Caplin; C. L. Austin, Riccarton). Showed nothing at Rangiora on Monday. Runner-up to Audaciter in Hororata Cup the time before. Seldom runs badly.

R. McCann 13 1 063 DEEP MYSTERY (15) 47 (4 g Agricola—lnside Story; J. C. Tomkinson. Riccarton). Was trapped wide for good way when third behind Audaciter at Rangiora on Monday. Respected on that run.

14 2442 KARNAK (8) 47 (4 m Bucentaur—Desert Secret; D. J. and L. Thistoll, Riccarton). Was late getting clear when second to Audaciter at Rangiora. Nelson Cup fourth the time before.

M. Mein 15 3161 MELLANIE (1) 47 (5 m Mellay—Lucky Streak; B. J. Anderton, Wingatui). Impressive winner over 2110 m at Beaumont last week.

G. Offen 16 0777 NASHKI (7) 47 6 h Rapanni—New Girl; J. Waterworth, Riccarton*. Looks out of his class here. 17 3608 SIR TROUBADOUR (2) 47 <4 g Ward Drill —Royal Rhapsody: Miss B. A. Harland. Brighton). Recent form offers little hope. 3.50 p.m.— GREAT EASTER HANDICAP 54000; 1400 m. 1 1151 GREY WAY (14) 62 (5 g Grey William—Waybrooke; E. P. Corboy, Washdyke). Without doubt the class horse of the field and certain to take beating despite his weight if this race is chosen as his mission. D. Holden 2 0806 REBEL LAD (12) 51.5 (7 g My Pal—Blarney Stone; G. H. Humphries, Riccarton). Fair effort for sixth among sprinters at Rangiora last Monday when resuming from short let-up. Should be improved by run but still might find this a bit short. 3 1519 ZETLAND (18) 51 (7 g Copenhagen — Specialite; K. J. Thomson, Otaki). Struck solid patch of form on recent campaign at Nelson but weak showing at Rangiora last Monday. The extra 200 metres here could show him to better advantage. G. Phillips 4 1190 KOWHAI GLEN (5) 50.5 <4 h by Greek God—Kowhai Princess; T. W. Lalor. Omoto). Failed in two starts when tried for stamina at Westport earlier in month. Forr beforehand was good ar ' included sprint wins over this distance on -course in February’ and last month.

G. Mein 5 0682 PAKISTAN FLIGHT (16) 50.5 (5 h bv Pakistan II —Central Flight; E. A. Winsloe. Gore). Last-start second

in open sprint at WaiAio meeting a fortnight ago was first show of form this time up. Once looked pretty useful and might be close to best again. P. Smith 6 3521 SURGE AGAIN (8) 50.5 d> g by Resurgent—Never Again; D. J. and L. J. Thistoll, Riccarton). Came up with one of best runs to win sprint at Rangiora on Monday. About as consistent as they come and should not be far away at finish. R. McCann 7 0112 WILLIAM BROWN (11) 5o (5 g by Grey William— Femhilk M. R. Jones. Washdyke). Struck solid patch of form on recent Nelson-West-port circuit. This will be harder but must be respected from place in weights. 8 3812 GAME WARRIOR (8) 49.5 (5 g by Ribotlight—Hula; R. J. Cochrane, Gore). Solid finish for second to Surge Again at Rangiora last Monday was preceded by victory over this distance at Oamaru. Usually runs his races out strongly and should be suited by roomy track and long run home. M. McPhie 9 2161 UNLUCKY IN LOVE (9) 49 (5 m Bellborough— Swanky; W. G. Ivil, Awapuni). This will be her first race since moving north to be trained. Last-start win was over this distance at N.Z. Cup meeting in November. This will be tough assignment fresh-up. W. Skelton 10 1226 TOP SECRET (17) 48.5 (4 m by Mellay—Entrance; C. S. Reece-.!ones. Wingatui). Promising showing for sixth when tried for stamina at Rangiora last Monday. Previous solid form was in sprint events in her home district.

G. Offen 11 1933 GREAT DAY (4) 47.5 (4 g by Charicles—Lovely Day; W. F. Ellis, Invercargill). Third among sprinters at Wairio a fortnight ago was promising in first race since February. Should be improved by that run and must

rate a light-weight’s chance. 12 5448 TE PANGO NUI (15) 47.5 (4 h Greek God—Carlton: R. T. Harris, Tuahiwi). Very capable at best but form allround since he resumed a bit disappointing. Would certainly have to improve on his effort at Rangiora last Monday to be a winning prospect. 13 2113 DUNTROON (13) 47 (4 g Minuit—Academa; M. Byrne, Kaikoura). Promising debut in the top grade for third in sprint at Rangiora last Monday. Tw’o wins beforehand were at Riccarton and Trentham. Talented sprinter which must rate great chance.

M. Mein 14 HAGEN’S CLOUD (3) 47 (6 m Copenhagen ll—Nimbus Cloud; B. T. Jones, Washdyke). This will be first race since July. Showed good form in mud la<t winter but faces big task here fresh-up. 15 4155 JIPCHO (1) 47 (3 g Sovereign Prince—Jay Em; I. W. Thomas, Riccarton). Looked a bit unlucky not to finish closer than fifth in sprint at Rangiora last Monday. Win. two starts back, was against class three metric-milers on this course early last month.

B. Lee 17 0694 TAKE YOUR LEAVE (6) 47 (4 h Gate Keeper—Subdual; G. B. Thomson, Mosgiel). Fair effort in first race since November when fourth in open sprint at Beaumont last Saturday. Likely to be improved by that run but against tougher opposition here.

D. Walsh 18 7304 WINDVALE BOY (10) 47 (6 g My Pal—Windvale Girl; S. B. Laming, Rangiora). Usually at his best on soft or easy tracks but must rate consideration after strong finish for fourth in sprint at Rangiora last Monday. Scratched: Our Charles (2).