Racing and trotting Prospect of small double dividend at Ashburton

Press, 6 September 1976, Page 18

Racing and trotting Prospect of small double dividend at Ashburton

If the expected happens at Ashburton tomorrow one of the South Island’s smallest double dividents could go on record.

The confidence of a small army of backers is certain to be with Show Gate and Grey Way in tne Ashburton County Racing Club’s T-A.B. double but there is unlikely to be racing riches for any of them even if the gamble comes off.

From every' angle Show Gate would appear to dominate the issue in the first leg, the Gordons Gin Handicap. and practically the same can be said for Grey Way in the second leg, the Strathconan Stud Flying Handicap.

Tomorrow Show Gate will be going for her eighth win on end and her second in a fresh campaign. Mr Gordon Thomson’s brilliant Gate Keeper mare resumed after an enforced spell from racing of 21 months at Oamaru last month. Against the met-ric-milers there she coasted

home as if the steadier of 62kg was nothing at all. Tomorrow Show Gate will carry 62-5 and will concede 14.5 kg to the tail-enders — the minimum is down 2kg on the Oamaru weights — but the lower scale is unlikely to make any difference to the outcome. Although the majority of Grey Way’s 13 victories last season were at 1400 and 1600 m he showed, while fresh, his class could carry him through 1200 just as competently. In fact, his first two victories last season were at 1200 m and the first of those was when he was fresh-up in the Flying Handicap at Ashburton. On that occasion Grey Way carried 59kg. Some may think he is pretty well treated this time, with 64kg, but it must be remembered that many of his successes last season where gained under weight-for-age conditions so could not be taken into account when assessing him in an ordinary handicap. In fact, he has skg more tomorrow than when he last competed successfully in a handicap sprint — the Pakistan II Stakes at Awapuni in March.

Although Grey Way has not raced since his defeat by Karnak in the Great Autumn Handicap at Riccarton in April he has shown his readiness to begin a fresh campaign at recent race trials and in the hands of an inform Bill Skelton he should take beating. 2.3 S pjn.— GORDONS GIN HANDICAP $1535; 1600 m. 1 1 SHOW GATE (13) 42.5 (7 m Gate Keeper—Mingiow; G. B. Thomson, Mosgleii. Toyed with opponents when having first race for 21 months at Oamaru last month. Should have too much class for her rivals here. C. Ramage 2 4524 BINKIE (4) 52.5 (5 m Greek God—Silver Princess, J Lalor. Ashburton). Very useful middle distance performer at best. This might be a bit short but bound to be running on at finish. 1 ISM KARNAK (5) 51 (5 m Bucentaur— Desert Secret, D. . J and L. J. ThistoU, Riccarton I. Failed to show up when making fresh start in Brabason Handicap at Christchurch Hunt meeting. Useful at

best, but has Shown her best form over more ground than this. M. Mein 4 0962 ZARNIA (7) 51 (8 m Afghanistan—Lola, E. P. Corboy. Washdyke). Not an every day type must must command respect after her second to Scotch William at Wingatui on Saturday. W. Skelton 5 1337 BUTCH (9) 50.5 (6 g Mellay—Debbie Marie, J. Lalor, Ashburton). Struck solid patch of form during late winter. Would only need to run up to the form which earned him third in the Winter Cup, two starts back, to be heavily involved in fin ish. D. Walsh 4 0014 BATTLE JOY (4) 493 (4 m Battle Waggon—Joyalice, J. N. J. Healey, Richmond). Very useful on her day when there is a bit of mud about. Latest success was in Paparua Handicap at Grand National meeting last month. 7 9410 ELCANO (8) 49J (7 g Copenhagen ll—La Farae, M. R. Jones, Washdyke). Won Claremont Handicap at South Canterbury Hunt meeting In July but form all-round has not been very encouraging. G. Mein 8 9214 EUROPIUM (11) 493 <6 m Gate Keeper—Aoudo, D. J. and L. J ThistoU, Riccarton/. Fair effort for sixth among sprinters at Washdyke last month when having first race since January. Distance here will suit her better but still might be all the better for this race.

M. Mein 9 0824 ZEBAK (3) 49.5 (5 g Afghanistan—Pango, R. J. McCann, Riccarton). Will command respect if he lines up but will not be starting according to his trainer. 10 0432 MR RICHMOND (1) 49 (5 h Greek God—Gone Astray, J. N. J. Healey, Richmond). Went two sound races for minor placings at Grand National meeting. Always a chance when the sting is out

of the ground. 11 7044 AMBROSE LODGE (14) 433 (6 g St Ambrose ll—Lady Lodge). B. T. Jones, Washdykei. Has been battling to make the grade in weaker field than this lately. Fourth at Wingatui on Saturday was only moderate effort. 12 1790 CLASSIC LEGEND (12) 483 (7 g Greek God—Nimbus Cloud, D. J. and L. J. ThistoU, Riccarton). Won Donald Grant Memorial at Washdyke early in July but soundly beaten in two starts at Grand National meeting. Distance here probably a bit short of his best anyway. B. Hibberd 13 4071 SCOTCH WILLIAM (10) 50 (7 h Grey William—Alloa, B. T. Jones, Washdyke). Came back to best with impressive victory at Wingatui on Saturday UsuaUy most consistent when in form so must be rated strong chance. 14 9390 CAPPELLO (15) 48 (5 g Rlbotlight—Caplin. C. L. Austin, Riccarton). Capable on his day but latest efforts have been disappointing. Doubtful starter 15 7304 COCK YOUR EAR (2) 48 fa m Mellay—Lochlisten. B. J. Anderton, Wingatui). Minor place getter in moderate company over this distance at Oamaru last month. Would have to improve to be major threat here.

4.20 p.m.— STRATHCONAN STUD FLYING HANDICAP $1325; 1200 m. 1 1512 GREY WAY (12) 64 (6 g Grey William—Waybrooke; E. P. Corboy, Washdyke). Has not raced since the autumn but showed he was weU forward to begin a fresh campaign when he competed at the race trials last Tuesday week. Should keep the best of the others in this field busy ’ W. Skelton 2 1501 KOWHAI GLEN (16) 56 (4 h Greek God—Kowhai Princess; T. N. Lalor, Omoto). Honest performer but just a bit below top class. Laststart win was in Selwyn Handicap on second day of Grand National meeting. Looks great place chance. 3 3121 DANDYMAN (14) 55 (8 h Gale Keeper—Fine and Dandv; J. D. Pankhurst, Wingatui). Has been off the scene since February but has plenty of class and if weU forward could make Grey Way work hard for victory. J. Pankhurst 4 7127 SURGE AGAIN (7) 55 (7 g Resurgent—Never Again; D. J. and L. J. ThistoU, Riccarton). Looks in good order to make a fresh start after being off the scene since Mav. UsuaUy sprints weU fresh so should add interest to the finish. P. ThistoU 5 0032 TE PANGO NUI (6) 53 (5 h Greek God—Carlton; R. T. Harris, Tuahiwl). Minor place-getter in two starts among the sprinters at Trentham — the latest behind Entice on Saturday. Accomplished “mud-lark” but going here might not be to his 6 OM3°MACLANE (2) 52 (9 g Kurdistan—Flying Time; L. Stewart, Washdyke). Switched to hurdling late in the winter after flat form tapered off. Has done best before at 1600 m and beyond. Not fancied at this distance. J. Collett 7 4164 DEEP MYSTERY (11) 51 (5 g Agricola—lnside Story; J. C. Tomkinson, Riccarton). Stayer making fresh start after being off the scene since the autumn. Has previously gone well fresh as a sprinter and could get some of the money on this testing

course. G. Mein 8 3099 EROS (8) 493 (7 g Greek God — Illuminate; M. R. Jones, Washdyke). Always a chance when the class is not too strong and there is a bit of mud around but hard to fancy on recent efforts, M. McPhie 9 7111 GREAT BLAZE (3) 483 (4 g Mellay—Debbie Marie; J. Lalor, Ashburton). Made big impression while graduating through the lower grades during the autumn. Has not raced since May but could make a bold showing. D. Walsh 10 5507 JIPCHO (15) 48 (4 g Sovereign Prince—Jay Em; I. W. Thomas, Riccarton). Showed promise early last season but form generaUy has been a bit disappointing. Might still go weU in this, his first race since the autumn.

M. Mein 11 1249 JOINT EFFORT (1) 48 (6 h Ribotlight—Highness; P. H. Jones, Riccarton). Not really noted for his sprinting ability but looks and has been working well. Could go boldly fresh-up on this testing track. 12 7415 LADY LUCIFER (13) 48 (3 f Old Soldier—Kindling Spark; G. H. Humphries, Riccarton). Smart filly whose wins last season included Champagne Stakes on her home course at Easter. Has not raced since autumn but usually goes well fresh. R. McCann 13 0115 RED JEKYLL (9) 48 (6 g Jekyll—Emma Kate; K. W. Quayle, Riccarton). Raced well at Christchurch Hunt and Grand National meetings but noted mainly for his ability on heavy tracks. Rise and class and prospect of firmer footing might not en-

hance his prospects. R. Taylor 14 3112 ROYAL VIEW (5) 48 (5 h Grey William—Loch View; M. R. Jones. Washdyke). Hard to fault his form in the lower grades. First test in this class but would stiU not be the least of chances. 15 4071 SCOTCH WILLIAM (4) 49.5 (7 h Grey WiUlam— Alloa; B. T. Jones, Washdyke). Came back to best with impressive win at Wingatui on Saturday. Usually most consistent once he strikes form. Must rate strong chance. 16 1050 SILVER COAT (10) 48 (3 g Final Orders — Lady Mansfield; R. P. Register, Riccarton). Although not in the top flight shaped pretty weU at times last season. Showed his fitness to begin another campaign by beating Surge Again and Grey Way at the race trials last Tuesday week. B. Hibberd