Promising start by Gallant Man

Press, 16 August 1976, Page 18

Promising start by Gallant Man

Special correspondent Dunedin Gallant Man indicated he will be forced to be reckoned with among the three-year-olds this season with a fine win in the Waitaki Hanover Stakes at the Kurow Trotting Club’s meeting at Oamaru on Saturday. Gallant Man took the lead when Ambridge left stride after 500 m. He was hotly challenged by Torrid in the final 200 m but stayed on to score by three parts of a length. There was a gap .of 10 lengths to the third horse. Emanar. Gallant Man, which was making his second appearance at a totalisator meeting. has much in common with last season’s leading three-year-old Bolton Byrd. He is from the same stable, that of Jim Dalgety at West Melton and by the same sire. Out to Win. Dalgety bred him from the Light Brigade mare, Spectre, which he obtained from Mr R. F. Woods, of Rakaia. Spectre was 22 when she foaled Gallant Man and her previous foaling listed in the Stud Book was in 1965 to the Light Brigade horse, Cossack Post with which she had three matings. Gallant Man has been entred for three-year-old races at the National meeting which opens next Saturday and for the New Zealand Derby in November. He should improve further with racing.

Racebook gained the easiest win of the day when she led all the way in the Don Memorial Handicap and drew out by five and a half lengths.

She was driven by “Doody” Townley, who earlier produced Mount Somers for an impressive win in the Omarama Handicap. Mount Somers was trapped three wide early and then in the open from the 1200 m. He had to fight off a strong challenge from Cedar Valley to score by a head. Mount Somers was one of four winners sired by Eagle Armbro. The others were Buck. Charlie Gee and Vince, upset winner of the Kurow Cup. Buck won in dashing style and further success should come his way at short notice. Charlie Gee gave the same

I impression. He was given no (respite in the lead but never [looked like surrendering his (advantage Raced by breeders Mrs INoeline Ferguson (wife of the I Tinwald trainer. Jim Ferguson) and Mr Peter Dixon, of iAshburton. Charlie Gee has [much to recommend him as a trotter on breeding. He is a half-brother to the New South Wales Trotters' Derby winner. Blonde Brigade and to Atone, dam of Johnny Gee. the greatest stake winning trotter, with $67,850 when he was retired in 1973.