Maria Zana obliges in Marlborough feature

Press, 11 April 1978, Page 20

Maria Zana obliges in Marlborough feature

Special correspondent

Blenheim "Have saddle . . . will travel.” That could well be the current theme for the Hawera jockey, Gary Phillips, a busy young man who won the Morwenstow Handicap, the first leg of the Marlborough Racing Club’s T.A.B. double at Waterlea yesterday. Phillips’s mount was Maria Zana, which made light of a 56kg rating in winning by three lengths ’from Golden Trumpet There was a long-head to Joss, and a half length to Excessive Talk. Phillips rode at Palm-

erston North on Saturday and flew into Blenheim yesterday for the Marlborough’s second day. Last night he flew back to stay overnight at Palmerston

North then proceed to Waipukurau for todays meeting. He is due to stay at Palmerston North tonight and fly back to Blenheim for tomorrow’s final day at Waterlea. Phillips served much of his apprenticeship at Foxton and is currently living at Hawera.

Maria Zana is raced by the Waikanae owner-trainer, Dennis Matthews, a regular supporter of the Marlborough Racing Club.

Matthews first came to Blenheim just on 10 years ago with his mare, Langelinie. He has rarely missed ■ making the trip south since. Maria Zana has been rac-

ing prominently in sound metropolitan company since her last win at Wairarapa at the New Year, weighing in at her three starts before her appearance at Marlborough. Maria Zana had previously won a race on the Waterlea course, returning a bumper price as a three-year-old. For sentimental reasons, Mr Matthews had no hesitation tin bringing her south again, j There is a strong chance i that Maria Zana will run in

the Hawke’s Bay Cup at Hastings this week-end. Much depends on whether shipping space is available to get her north again quickly.

Yesterday’s race carried a $lOO trophy donated by Miss' G. Chapman, a Blenheim hotelier, and a free service to the Morwenstow Stud’s stallion Greek Prophet, by the now defunct Greek God, which also stood at Morewenstow until his death. Mr Matthews felt that he would use the service for another mare, Princess Shalene. which he has at his Waikanae property. He is considering retiring Mana Zana at the end of this season.

Maria Zana followed Sir Troubadour, Bold Lion and Joss into the last 750 m but quickly moved to the lead on straightening up. She was never challenged from that point. Golden Trumpet, always there, fought on for second ahead of Joss, which ran rather erratically when asked for an effort in the straight. DUTY POINT WINS T*he former jockey, Bruce Marsh, scored his fifth win ion the circuit when his representative Duty Point won the second leg, the i4OGm Stratheonan Handicap for class two and three sprinters. Duty Point had been only I very lightly raced in the late summer and autumn months. However, he was still well supported in scoring his first success since taking a lower-grade event at Danganui last year. He was ridden by Marsh’s apprentice, M. Sloan. By Sucaryl from Winning, Duty Point is raced by Marsh in partnership with Messrs I. A. O’Shaughnessy and J. H. N. Wilson. Duty Point came through to hold off another good finisher, Flying View, with Rio Ribbon and the tiring Imperial Chief next. Marsh’s earlier successes were Smoke Dream, which beat some useful opposition in the Marlborough Transport Handicap and the Maiden, Kamala. A maiden winner on the opening day, Smoke Dream finished resolutely to beat Waitaki Mellay, which had taken a front-running role. Cyllenius and' first-day win* ner, Cruisemaster, whose weight told in the last 150 m were next.