Maria Zana wins again at Blenheim

Press, 13 April 1978, Page 23

Maria Zana wins again at Blenheim

Special correspondent Blenheim The Waikanae mare, Maria Zana, received a rousing reception after carrying a hefty 58.8 kg to victory in the Turuturu Lodge Handicap, the principal event at Waterlea yesterday. At the post she was galloping easily a length clear of Golden Gate, with Golden Trumpet two lengths and one quarter away in third berth. Candidate and Cheval d’Alure headed the others. Maria Zana also won the Morwenstow Handicap, the feature event at Blenheim on Monday. The two outings earned $3600 in cash, two $lOO trophies and two free services. The first service was to the Morwenstow Stud's Greek Prophet and the second to Allgrit, which stands at Mr R. P. Nolan’s Turuturu Lodge at Hawera. Though raced on lease by a Waikanae licence-holder, Mr D. E. Matthews, and his wife, Maria Zana is owned by an Otaki man, Mr D. W. Adcock. The lessees have no right of purchase but will have her first foal. Mr Matthews intends to put his own mare, Princess Sharlena, to Allgrit.

Maria Zana’s immediate future is rather uncertain. She is getting up in the weights now, and being small, this will be a disadvantage for her. Consequently, there is a chance that this could be the Zamazaan mare’s last season of racing. While Maria Zana completely dominated the final stages of yesterday’s feature, good efforts came from Golden Gate and Golden Trumpet.

Golden Gate made up considerable ground in the run home. He looked like threat-

[ening near the turn, but was held back by a tiring runner and was unable to make his run until 150 m out. Golden I Gate was ridden by B. Rule, who is expected to take the mount again at Westport on Saturday. Golden Trumpet raced close to the pace throughout and fought on well for third. He is one of two taggarttrained runners listed for the first leg at Buller, the Morley Handicap. The other is Chitral, which looked particularly well before the Marlborough event. She was feeli ing the hard ground, though, and made no impression. She may not run at Westport unless the ground is somewhat easier. D. Walsh is booked for Golden Trumpet. A former Buller man, the Hawera trainer, P. J. Moseley, will return to his old home with Cheval d’Oake and Cheval d’Alure. Cheval d’Oake fell as the starting gates opened and took no party yesterday. Her younger sister Cheval d’Alure was prominent on the turn but was forced very wide and made no impression in the final stages. The Moseley team will be accompanied to Westport by

the Palmerston North jockey, G. Cooksley. Rio Ribbon followed minor berths on the earlier days with success in the open sprint, the Coruba Rum Handicap. He scored by a half neck from Sean’s Gift and there was a long neck to Kanga Lad and one length and three quarters to Trumpet Call, which made the pace. The win was a popular one for Rio Ribbon is raced by a Marlborough Rating Club committeeman, Mr C. R. Newman, and his son, Mr B. Newman. The fountainhead — Muddy Shoes gelding is trained as Ashburton by J. Lalor, and was ridden by apprentice B. Rule. Rio Ribbon is listed to run over 2000 m at Westport on Saturday but is very much a doubtful runner, being No. 3 on the balloted-out list. Lalor says he may give Rio Ribbon a short break and race him over ground next Monday, the second day at Buller. The best of the Westport open-sprint entries was Trumpet Call, which made the pace and wilted to fourth. The Waikato jockey, P. Hillis, will be making the trip to | ride the Robinson stable .runners on the West Coast.