Show Gate better than ever, says Pamage

Press, 24 August 1976, Page 25

Show Gate better than ever, says Pamage

Special correspondent

Dunedin "She's better than ever,” said a jubilant Chris Ramage as he dismounted from Show Gate after the mare’s facile win in the White Stone Handicap at Oamaru yesterday.

The race provided little more than a working gallop for Shaw Gate in her first public appearance for 21 months. She was second in a few strides from a wide bar-. Tier draw and Ramage allowed her to take the lead after 400 m though that had 1

not been his race plan. Ramage, sitting still, and Show Gate galloping in the mach-ine-like style, reminiscent of her big wins, went to the line untested with threequarters of a length to spare over Gate Man. ”1 gave her a little rein just for a second about there quarters way down the straight when it looked as though something was going: Ito challenge,” said Ramage,; i who now has had eight wins I ion Show Gate from eight; Irides. I Gordon Thomson, Show I

Gate’s fner-trainer, said, justifialf “It is a very proud pment for me. I have w >d a long time.” Thor i had been prepared : save Show Gate in the pa|ck for 18 months to ens that she recovered from i acked sesamoid. She rate carried $20,350 in a v poo! of $32,125 and $5525 a place pool of $26,04 paying $1.30 and $1.25.ie carried only $863 to wind $lOO for a place on th- mrse. Pla for Show Gate I depet >n transport arrange-

merits for New Zealand horses to Australia, where she has extensive nominations, the first of these in the Epsom Handicap (1600 m at Randwick on October 2. She needs to earn a stake of $9OO over a distance of 2300 m or more to qualify for a start in the Melbourne Cup. The Metropolitan Handicap run two days after the Epsom would provide this opportunity.

She has been nominated for the Ashburton and Geraldine meetings next month.