Life in the old ’un yet

Press, 7 September 1981, Page 26

Life in the old ’un yet

By

J. J. BOYLE

With ’ a little more luck Star Order might have closed a long gap in his record by winning the Ashburton Cup on Saturday. He finished fourth, in a nose, nose and half-length finish, but was promoted to third ahead of Flying Ribot at an inquiry that was signalled before the placings were finalised in a cliffhanger of a finish. The eight-year-old Star Order was squeezed for room when Flying Ribot shifted ground to his right about 150 m out. For this piece of careless steering. Flying Ri-

bot's jockey. John O'Flanagan. was suspended for one race dav.

The other principals in the spectacular finish were Lady Creosote and Good Way.

Good Way was the favourite and gave it a great try to finish a nose from the Washdyke mare which was carrying skg less. Lady Creosote, the second of three winners for Jim Colfett on Saturday, is about to have her racing career wound down but she will run in the South Island Thoroughbred Stakes- at the Geraldine meeting before being mated. Her first consort will be

Delaneige. which is to join Beaufort Sea at the Inglewood Stud.

Beaufort Sea’s prowess as a sire of sharp sprinters was boosted further on Saturday when Shardak and Sharebroker his only representatives in- the Radio Ashburton Handicap, filled the first two places. Sharebroker led until well into the straight, but could not contain Shardak, a younger horse with a substantial pull in the weights.

Shardak was in blinkers on Saturday, and Vicki Askew appeared to be busy for a time keeping him straight.

but the four-year-old showed no lack of resolution when he was brought along for his final challenge. Shardak's ’ Washdyke owners. Mr and Mrs Graeme Hawthorn, have had good offers for their gelding, but so far have not been tempted. Hi Roona, at nine years the veteran of the field, -did best of those behind Shardak and Sharebroker, but was in a wide gap. He outfinished Wingatui's Syria Boye. which came to the end of his run after trailing about 400 m out.