Rockford wins unextended

Press, 1 October 1979, Page 30

Rockford wins unextended

PA Dunedin ‘“Tito” Poblete, fresh from jhis success on Little Brown Jug in the Dunedin Guineas, teamed with Rockford to win the Grandstand Handicap, first leg of the double at Wingatui on Saturday. Rockford was unable to secure anything like a good run being four wide from the start to the 900 m peg. I Poblete let him stride to the front at that point and he was never in danger of defeat.

The win capped some useful form for Rockford, whose lead-up racing included a third placing in the Geraldine Cup last Monday. Rockford just proved too strong on the day. The old campaigner, Dandyman, ran a vastly improved race from his dismal

effort on the first day but even he could make no impression on Rockford. Red Ensign, which was well place all the way, battled in third, with Hasuka fourth.

The second leg was won by the nippy three-year-old, Scotch Mist, which fairly blitzed the opposition in the Shepherd Memorial. He was handy all the way and with his light weight shot to the front early in the run home and romped clear. The win favourite, Lejano, finished on gallantly for second but without any chance of getting to the winner. Grand Country came home with a good run to be third, with Clarendon Gold catching the eye with a solid late run for fourth in her first I start for over two seasons.