Sir James’s 17th win close

Press, 28 February 1980, Page 25

Sir James’s 17th win close

Bv

J. J. BOYLE

Sir James, winner of 16 races, should be a formidable contender in the Hororata Cup, first leg of the Hororata Racing Club’s meeting tomorrow.

Miss Andrea Peddie’s chestnut is eight, but showed his durable qualities when he won the Riccarton Turf Club’s feature race, on February 9. Sir James won that race in the hands of the Riccarton jockey, -Michael Mein, but will have Barry Rule as his rider tomorrow’.

Mein is back on Blue Sage, one of the obvious “dangers" for Sir James after some brave runs this year—a year that started well with a victory in the Waikouaiti Cup.

Dolmar, Ron McCann’s mount, has looked close to winning form at times, but unable so far this season to round off his efforts. Still he would not have to find much improvement on his C.J.C. Midsummer Handicap third behind Her Greatest and Blue Sage to make the breakthrough. McCann has Spy Force as his hope for the Gordon’s Handicap, second leg of the T A.B. double. This was a ■ arding partnership last •, and it might be folly to i. miss their chances for this one.because pf-one weak run on the second day of the Canterbury Jockey Chib’s summer meeting. However, in the absence of an outstanding form runner there will be a longish list of fancies with Sly Wink, Nyah, Pan Jet and Capital claiming their share of attention, and Midknight advancing in favour with anv easing in the track. Fields, with form, riders and comments. for T.A.B. double races are: RACE 6 3.30 p.m. HORORATA GOLD CUP $4500; 2000 m. 1 7014 SIR JAMES (9) 56 (8 g Mellay—Allez Vite; J. Lalor, Ashburton).' Won this distance this course February 9. Good run for fourth 1600 m at Wingatui last week. B. Rule 2 4211 ENTOURAGE (7) 55.5 <9 g Faux Tirage—Miss Rhondda; J. C. Tomkinson, Riccarton). Most recent wins were in high-weights at Riccarton. Place chance here in his present form. T. Cowan 3 0233 BLUE SAGE (2) 55 <6 m Postillion ll—Super Sage: A. J. and P. Williams, Riccarton). Good run for third behind Iler Greatest and Blue Sage, C.J.C. Midsummer Handicap. February 2.

R. McCann S 0089 LADY BELINDA (3) 52 (7 m Causeur—Bellarda; W.

Shirley, Washdyke). Recent efforts do not inspire much confidence. 6 0042 DANCER BOY (8) 51 16 g Country Dance—Precept; K. Lalor. Greymouth). Fast finishing second 1200 m Riccarton February 9. fourth tlie time before was over 2000 m in C.J.C. Midsummer Handicap, won by Her Greatest. D. Walsh 7 9640 EDEN'S BOY (11) 51 (8 11 Summer Magic—Edenisle; R. McCauley. Gore). First start since failure at Washdvke. December 29. 8 6508 GODSPELL (5) 51 (7 m Greek God—Prima: R. Collins, Hokitika). Showed nothing this distance Riccarton, February 9. C. Sorrenson 9 6696 KINGSWOOD (1) 51 <S g Royal Bid—Silver Fountain; B. T. Jones. Washdyke). Last-start sixth was at Vincent meeting. Does not win out of turn. J. Collett 10 0700 MAIN CHANCE (12) 51 (5 m Ribotiight — Chow Maine; W. Engelbrecht, Waimate). Nothing encouraging in her recent form. 11 3850 OLDTIMER (4) 51 (5 g Country Dance — Scroll Beauty; J, Blackadder, Reefton). Fair fifth this distance, Riccarton 2. but form slumped in second start at that meeting. S. Laming 12 4584 TANNER (6) 51 (3 g Abridge Member — Threepence; R. Harris. Tuahiwi). Useful run for fourth behind Sir James this distance Riccarton February 9. G. Blair RACE 8 4.40 p.m.— GORDON'S HANDICAP S 3000; 1400 m. 1 4060 SPY FORCE (13) 56 (5 g

King’s Troop II— Smugglers Bank; G. H. Murfitt. Riccarton). Expensive failure in second start at C.J.C. summer meeting alter promising run fresh up on first day. Hard to beat, on his best form .. _ R. McCann 2 2001 SLY WINK (14) 55 (5 m Wandering Eyes—Smashing; Mrs W. Wright. Waimatei. Beat weaker field this distance Wingatui, February 16. Should go close again. A. Poblete 3 1364 MIDKNIGHT (7) 54 (7 g Lord Sasanof—Honey One; S. Laming. Riccarton). Fresh start. Chance will brighten if track is easy. S. Laming 4 6305 NYAH (9) 53.5 (5 m Alvaro—Court Dream: B. K. Mills. Riccarton,. Useful run; this distance this course February 5. Respected. D. Walsh 5 5619 GOLD REFRAIN (3) 52.5 (5 g Queen’s Wharf —Gold View; L. Pratt. Orarii. Failed this -distance at Otago autumn meeting. 6 6435 COLADA (11) 52 (6 m Rangong — Charisma; M. Jones, Washdyke). Has been running useful races, hut finding success elusive. 7 2216 POMPOUS PRINCE (12) 52 14 g Taxco —Pease: K. Quayle. Riccarton). First run against class one horses. Failed in weaker company at Waimate. C, Sorrenson 8 0250 TOM BOWLING (5) 52 (6 g Copenhagen H—Messalina; Mrs J. Hay. Mayfield). Former North Islander. Best . summer run was second 1200 m at Hastings, December 29. 9 6643 PAN JET (4) 51.5 ! (6 g Taipan ll—Star Quest; R. Harris. Tuahiwi). Rates something of a chance on his good third this distance. Riccarton. February 2. G. Blair 10 8170 AY EM (1) 51 (4 g Matins—Silver Flash; J. Bourne, Riccarton). Won this distance in lower grade at Riccarton. February 2. Laststart failure was over 1600 m at Wingatui. K. Coleman 11 0 BATTISMA (6) 51 (5. m Battle.Waggon — Charisma: J. Healey, Richmond). Failed when resuming, Riccarton, February 2. 12 0840 CAPITAL (10) 51 <6 g Sovereign Prince — Vinous; Mrs 11. Preston. Riccarton). Appears to have sharpened with recent races following spell. Respected light-weight. D. Moseley 13 0794 KEEKO (2) 51 (4 g Keekerok—Dorene; J. Bourne, Riccarton). Last-start fourth was in weaker field over 1200 m at Riccarton, February 9. J. Collett 14 0050 LATCHMI (8) 51 (4 m Diplomatic Agent — Light Court; D. and L. Thistoll, Riccarton). Fair run 1400 m Riccarton. February 2. but did not show much on second day of that meeting.