Racing and trotting Mr Richmond too good for rivals

Press, 3 May 1977, Page 22

Racing and trotting Mr Richmond too good for rivals

From R. D. GARDINER Westport As expected. Mr Richmond was installed a warm favourite for the Seagers Gin Handicap, first leg of the T.A.B. double at Westport yesterday and he fully justified that support by beating his first-day victor. Candidate, by three lengths.

Mr Richmond trailed Candidate most of the way but when Brent Lee gave him his head at the top of the straight he proved too strong and gave Lee his second winner of the day. Candidate made all the. pace and never looked tike’ losing second, which he held by three lengths from Che-! val D’Oake. Greek Prince! made ground for fourth, 1 ahead of Bold Lion. IMr Richmond revels ini wet conditions and he had! the ground tade to order 1 ] yesterday as his time for the j 20(M>m of 2min 22sec indie- < ated. !| Cheval D’Alure again 1

- showed his dislike for a wet' track, but one dis’appointment was Zebak,. which has previously shown 1 ! good form on wet tracks. | > He was a useful fourth on . Saturday and although he, received a perfect run; behind the leaders he was! struggling as far as the .:800m out. Hi Roona put up a brilli- 1 ,ant performance to win the! Buller Hotels Handicap, sec-! ond leg of the double. i Taken to the front from the outset by Brian Hibberd! ■he soon put a big break on i the opposition. He was tenh lengths clear at the 600 m I and from there was never in) danger of defeat, holding a four-length advantage at thejl line. I)

Eros settled well back but gradually improved to be ( third on the outside of Jim Bob at the 800 m. He ran on |without a winning chance but easily held second ahead iof the off-course favourite, Te Pango Nui. The latter [settled a long way from the pace and although he ■ finished better than anything Ihe was set an impossible i task by rider, Maurice {Thornley, and did well to iget as close as third. Ernest was handy I throughout but, on a track that did not suit him, he I could only battle to get fourth money. I Conbrio was another that was not hitting out well in [the conditions and he was never closer than sixth.