Auckland campaign in mind for Nuriootpa

Press, 14 November 1977, Page 20

Auckland campaign in mind for Nuriootpa

Nuriootpa was a game winner. Dandyman an unlucky second, and Grey Way a shock failure in the Churchill Stakes at Riccarton on Saturday. Nuriootpa, Riccarton’s best winner last season, came from the tail of the small field and won by a long head from Dandyman, which came late after being held up for a run behind Napiat and Witchety near the home turn. Nuriotpa was a lukewarm second favourite in this, his ninth victory for his Loburn owner, Mr Don Cameron.

He is likely to do much of his summer racing in Auckland, starting with the Avondale meeting, with the Cup carnival at Ellerslie to follow. The consistent Trade Secret shaded the three-year-old, Catastrophe, for third, lengths ahead of Grey Way, which could beat only Witchety. The judicial committee questioned Grey Way’s trainer, Pat Corboy, and the rider, Bob Skelton, about the gelding’s performance. Corboy could offer no reason for Grey Way’s showing, he considered the

seven-year-old had done well following his recent racing. Skelton said he was a little disturbed with all of 1000 m to run as Grey Way was not travelling as well as he would have expected at that stage. Skelton said he had tried Grey Way with the whip after entering the home straight but there had been no response to his urgings. Grey Way was examined after the race by a veterinarian, who reported that the horse appeared to be slightly distressed, otherwise his condition could be termed as normal.