Gay Black emerges as N.Z. Oaks prospect

Press, 10 April 1978, Page 18

Gay Black emerges as N.Z. Oaks prospect

By

R. D. Gardiner

Gay BladL an impressive winner of the Spotswood Handicap at Rangiora on Saturday, will race at Addington on Wednesday night as a lead-up to the New'; Zealand Oaks on April 25. On Saturday Gay Black began well for Neville. Benny, and he sent her on aj forward run from the 1200 m., She was in front with a little more than 600 m to run and although hotly chai-: lenged in the straight by Ro-' mano she fought back strongly to take the decision bv a neck. Gay Black is raced in partnership by Kevin and 1

.Simon Gilmore and trained: by the former at Rolleston, : where he runs a chicken; farm. When Gay Black won! at Greymouth last month I she credited Kevin with his I first training success. Gay Black is by Gay GorI don from the Lucky Hanover /mare, Anora’s Last, and a half-sister to Snowlight,, :I which has won races in the. United States. i! “Wright Stephenson’s offered me $12,000 for the filly, but I turned it down," 'Kevin said on Saturday. “I . decided to keep her for the, / major races later in the sea-j i son,” he added. i The two brothers race Gay Black on lease from their.

neighbour Mr P. P. Jackson. Kevin has trained four or five other pacers but none have shown as much ability as Gay Black. “She’s very honest but 1 had been knocked around in her latest racing,” Kevin said on Saturday. Gay Black was to have travelled to Auckland for the McCarthy Stakes and the North Island Oaks but, because of travelling arrangements falling through, she remained at home. Kevin also has an interest in thoroughbreds, holding a ! trainer’s licence.

He has in work a Greek God gelding, which at present is being hunted.