Noble River has form background

Press, 4 September 1982, Page 22

Noble River has form background

By

J. J. BOYLE

Noble River, one of few runners for the champion stallion, Noble Bijou, at Ashburton today, could be the stumbling block for Canterbury-trained hopefuls in the Celtic Handicap, third leg of the T.A.B. treble.

This five-year-old. from the Wingatui stable of Hector Anderton junior, was admirably consistent in his campaign at the Grand National meeting; two starts producing a second and a third. He was only inches from victory in that second start at Riccarton, just failing to reach Noble Jewel over 1600 m, the distance of today’s race. Julies Boy, another son of Noble Bijou, is high on the list of fancies for the Hinds Maiden, first leg of today’s T.A.B. treble. He is trained on the Ashburton course by Jim Lalor and .started his

five-year-old racing with a second over 1800 m on the second day of the Grand National meeting. He was unplaced when favourite at Riccarton three days later but has had time to freshen since then and might make a well-earned breakthrough today. Riccarton stables might supply the best of Julies Boy’s rivals. Fairway Lass and Rapier Lad are promising three-year-olds in the line-up and their performances could throw some light on the John Grigg Stakes next Tuesday.

The Old Boys Handicap, second leg of the T.A.B. treble as well as the second leg of the T.A.B. double, offers numerous chances. Four sprinters in this field. Soaring High, Jane Again, Turf Ruler and Lucky Dai, have already won this season. Bilberry is another of the obvious chances after a close second to Soaring High at Riccarton and a bold run fresh up is not beyond the powers of Shardak which was quickly into form last spring and was still performing ably in good company in the autumn.