Watelse wins at Westport

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 16

Watelse wins at Westport

Special Correspondent Westport Watelse certainly does not win out of his turn but there was much merit in the Mellay horse’s success in the main event at the Westport Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday.

Turned out well by his part-owner, W. S. Latimer, of Riccarton. Watelse, ran a promising race at the Easter carnival but, even so, his price was rather short on Saturday. Patiently ridden by D. M. Walsh, he was always handy and when Linea Lladro seemed to have the race won at the 200 m, Watelse came fast to win well.

Joss made up a lot of ground for third, ahead of Spring’s Eternal, which was! always prominent. Candi-. date, after leading for most of the way, tired and fin-! (ished fifth. ■ There were few excusesfor the beaten division, butj there was merit in Linea ( Lladro’s run and especially! that of Joss. Continuing its “great! southern trek” the Robinson! stable, of Matangi, com-! pleted a good double at the) meeting when Paul Hillis de-i lighted many family connections in Buller by pushing Trumpet Call home in the] Stewards Handicap. Earlier the combination had been successful with Bareesh in' the Coaltown Handicap. Trumpet Call had a nice, trail, about fifth for most of the way, and came wide at the turn to win well from Buffy Molloy, the leader forj a good part and Leopard, which was at the rear at the) 800 m but finished fast. Jim Bob was a fair fourth. I ahead of Eros and Our Jet,| which made up a little ground. Leroy Brown set the early pace then faded quickly. The northerner, Little Dan, led all the way and gave nothing else a chance in the opening event, the Patterson Park No. 1. Peter Moseley’s candidate relished the conditions and won with something in reserve from Dela-( roche (always second) and, Carmenlia, which made I

(ground. Piparyl was fourth, ahead of the stragglers. Trained by A. J. Stratton, . of Wanganui, a newcomer to . Westport meetings. Colonel '(Tod, took over at the home i 1 turn in the Patterson Park •!N . 2 and won narrowly but ; well from Eklah and Orfair, both finishing on well. Next . wire All Grey and Miss Bid, ’ well clear of the others.

( Well back early, Phillograph came with a paraliysing run to comfortably head off Bold Gift, the leader for most of the way, in the Buller Handicap.

J Pegasus Bay. always handy, was a good third; ' ahead of Tudor and Keyman. ,iThe winner was well turned lout by Ray Harris.

Handy all the way, the Riccarton-trained Double Viision took over the lead at (the 500 m and romped home in the Charleston Maiden. All at Sea came home just !as easily in second place. The steeplechaser Sharzan, third, was well clear of the irest, which were strung out at the finish. Double Vision, ridden by his trainer R. J. McCann, (was most impressive. In the closest finish of the .day, Affentaller and Rich I Beau were locked together |at the post, with the former, trained by Peter Moseley for B rnard McEnaney of Westport, getting the verdict by a nose. After an inquiry, however, the places were reversed because of interference by Affentaller.

The latter led from the last 400 m and looked the winner but Rich Beau finished fast. Next came Full Stop. Young Jeff, which was knocked back a little at a vital stage, and Godspell.

When the camera failed to function at the finish of the Karamea Handicap, in which Radin, Princess Hasty, and Epinoy filled the places, the judge had to rely on visual observation.

Badin, one of Jim Lalors big team, was third at the 800 m but finished well, as did Princess Hasty, to overhaul Apinoy, which made most of the running. Yakcam and Moutere Gold, both at the rear till the 800 m finished next.