Parlez Vite scrambles home

Press, 24 August 1976, Page 25

Parlez Vite scrambles home

Special comes Dunedin Parlez Vite retrieved an apparently hopeless situation to prevail tn a dramatic finish to the J. M. Shaw Memorial Steeplechase at Oamaru yesterday. Parlez Vite balked at the last fence when In front, allowing Shirley's Last and Brobon to head him by a length and a half. Parlez Vite, who had made the pace rallied again for his 16-year-old rider, Nick Harnett, to beat Brobon by a neck, with half a head to Shirley’s Last. It was Harnett’s first win in a Jumping race and followed minor plsclngs on his other six rides Parlez Vite, which was runner up in two starts at the Grand National meeting when he had his introduction to cross-country racing, is owned and trained by Harnett’s mentor. Hector Anderton, sen. He bred the four-year-old by Causeur from Allez Vite, which is also the dam of the Metropolitan Handicap winner, Mellay Vite and Waronui, winner of the Cashmere Plate at Rlecarton this

month, as well as the winners, Sir James and Keeper’s Gate. “1 lost it at the second last fence when be put in a big jump and landed closer to the lead than I would have liked,” said Tony Robb, who rode runner up, Brobon. Brobon came from well back and Shirley’s Last was just ahead of him for most of the way. Rlchnell jumped up close to Parlez Vite at the 1100 m and faded to fourth. Sir Belfield, a chance acceptor, led all the way and gained a comfortable win in the Spring Hurdles. The Rlccarton trainer. John Waterworth, had intended to start Sir Belfield in the steeplechase but switched to the hurdles when only five others had accepted for the latter event. Waterworth brought Sir Belfield privately for *l5OO for his father, Frank, and Mr Gary Ling, of Christchurch, when in Wellington for the cup meeting last January. The Headland—Killian 5-year-old, which changed hands for *BOOO at the National yearling

sales Jd failed to measure up on tl at. Sir slfield was having his thirdlrt for Waterworth yesterdi nd was the outsider of a six se field, paying *25.20 to win. Sitplfield gave the Ricca rton ey, Richard ("Bud”) Biddulp is first win since he took out icence this winter after 12 y away from race riding. "I 11 spell him now and chas dm next winter.” said Wat >rth. “He has done a Bofi course and can really jum e big fences.” Si slfield was Joined by Jimjon Able Card (three wide) in middle stages yesterday but] shook off their attention earn the run home and went ahelby four lengths. Melded, whgralled the leaders but did notion well, came through on theter for second, with Good

Nip running on solidly for a close third.

Max Skelton gained a win from two rides during a busman’s holiday at Oamaru. Skelton has been riding in Malaysia for the last 11 months and will return there at the end of October. His winner yesterday was Blue Beacon, which he brought along the inner to head off the pacemaker. White Arrow, in the Waitaki Handicap. The race was notable for the failures of Charlson and Bold Mellay. neither of which made an Impression. Boy From Dundee came sixth after being pushed wide on the home turn.

Orbiton gained a dashing win in the Second Oamaru Handicap. He dropped back to last early then Leslie Didham allowed him to loin the pacemaker, Blarney Castle, after 400 m when the pace slackened.