Roydon Scott’s big improvement

Press, 24 October 1978, Page 22

Roydon Scott’s big improvement

Special Correspondent Dunedin Roydon Scott, tried with a hopple shortener for the first time, showed a big improvement in his barrier manners and led throughout the Hannon Memorial Handicap at Oamaru yesterday.

The win took him to a C 9 mark and he will now contest the Canterbury Park Four-Year-Old Flying Mile on Friday night and the Kaikoura Cup on Monday. “We were not thinking about a start for him in the New Zealand Cup but if he made the field he would be there,” said Fred Fletcher, who prepares the big Scottish Hanover — Roydon Dream gelding for Mr Roy McKenzie, of Wellington. Roydon Scott won by a half a length from Lord Module, which ran on strongly from seventh at the 400 m. He tangled momentarily at the start then settled four places back on the outer. Cecil Devine received permission to give Lord Module two rounds of strong work on the track an hour before the race with Sunseeker.

Lord Module, another entrant for the four-year-old mile on Friday, outfinished his stablemate, Sunseeker by a neck. Sunseeker raced three back on the outer and was brought out to challenge at the 300 m. * There was two lengths to Smokey Lopez, which trailed Roydon Scott.

Wee Win was slow away then checked after 600 m when Mighty Gay tangled. He was not handling the rain affected track. A heavy shower started a few minutes before the race.

Haughty Romeo, which will clash with Roydon Scott and Lord Module on Friday night; gained a dashing win in the North Otago Handicap. He waited back on the outer until the 500 m, headed the pacemaker, Lord Burlington, at the straight entrance and came away to score by four lengths. Scottish Loch, qualified to start in the Waikouaiti Cup on Saturday when he led t’.’oughout the Farewell Handicap and won untested. Scottish Loch is raced by Roydon Scott’s owner, Mr Roy McKenzie, whose third runner at the meeting, Game Mander, appeared to be unlucky when fourth in the Livingstone Handicap. She

was unable to work clear from three back on the inner. Idolmite and Daylight Express also gained impressive end-to-end wins.