Tinwald was having only 2nd start for 33 months

Press, 1 October 1979, Page 30

Tinwald was having only 2nd start for 33 months

Tinwald, having only his second start for almost 33 months, caused quite a surprise when he beat Deluxe Circle by a short length in the Seafield Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday. Tinwald made a fresh start at Methven a week earlier, but received an interrupted passage after starting from 20m and finished thirteenth.

On Saturday he improved quickly in the early part of the event and was handily placed on the outside. The pacemaker, Butler Belle, d’opped away early in the run home and Tinwald worked clear, holding off Deluxe Circle quite comfortably. Merry Chase came on steadily for third, clear of Truant Lass, last starting the final 1200 m. Hanover Star and the surprise favourite, Nugget.

Tinwald is the first horse taken to the races by 23-year-old Garry Hooper, of Qhoka, who races the eight-year-old in partnership with Ted Lowe. He was driven by Bob Nyhan, who is seldom seen in action these days.

Tinwald showed much promise until he broke down again in December, 1976. After a long absence, he was given to Hooper to try some eight months ago. He has been jogged steadily and given a few runs at trials. Last Thursday, it was thought the ligaments in a foreleg were troubling him when some filling appeared. However, he responded to treatment and was able to be started on Saturday.

“He was extra good when following another horse, but he was obviously feeling his leg when I pulled him out,” said Nyhan.

Tinwald is obviously verymuch a day-to-day proposition, but if Hooper, who is a bread vendor at night, can keep him patched up, there should be further successes in store for him. GANELON UNLUCKY Ted Lowe, who is president of the Ashburton Club, had little success with his own big team, although The Raider won the Rokeby Handicap and Ganelon looked an unlucky fourth in the second leg of the T.A.B. double. He produced three starters in the Durbar Handicap, but none shared in the stake. West Street was a dominating favourite, but lost lids chance at the start. The race resulted in a decisive win for Best of Fame, which led throughout

in the hands of Wes Butt and held off Wee Willow and Loyal Wave, with Crowbar doing well for fourth after a bad start. Fair Alda, owned by Lowe and raced on lease in partnership by Tom and BarryClark, of' Greenpark, qualified for intermediate races at the New Zealand Cup meeting when she outfinished Cameo Gold and Maudey in the Mount Somers Handicap. The favourite, Delpelo, shaped like an early winner when she finished fourth. Tlie Clarks gained an earlier success when the smart four-year-old, Logan Lea, a son of Dryham Lea, proved too good for Astron and Aramis in the Elgin Handicap. Logan Lea should not be difficult to place to advantage in the next few weeks.