Guineas venue could shape Gaffa’s programme

Press, 14 September 1983, Page 36

Guineas venue could shape Gaffa’s programme

By

J. J. BOYLE

Where the Otago Racing Club stages the Dunedin Guineas on October could have a bearing on the immediate programme of the unbeaten Riccarton three-year-old Gaffa. Wingatui, the Otago club’s home course, might be unsuitable for racing if there : is more rain between now and the guineas meeting, and some thought might have to be given to a switch to Oamaru.

Gaffa’s Riccarton oWnertrainer, Dave Kerr, is interested in a start in the Dunedin Guineas if the race is run at Oamaru, but might wave it away if the classic is run at Wingatui. “He’s no good in the wet, and a track to suit him is more likely at Oamaru than it wouM be at Wingatui,’’ Ken* said yesterday. Kerr said be weald not be upset if his unbeaten youngster Ind to mW a, start in the Dwfrlin Guineas at

this early stage of the season. Kerr bypassed the Otago race with Clansman last year, leaving stable representation to Charles Beaufort, which finished second. Earlier Charles Beaufort had been unplaced in the John Grigg Stakes, won by Clansman. Gaffa last week gave the Kerr stable its second successive win in the John Grigg Stakes. THe relaxed qualities displayed by Gaffa in his approach to racing were apparent also yesterday when he sprinted with Just a Rebel on the trial grass at Riccarton yesterday. The stablemates finished their 800 m in 525. Earlier Clansman, which goes about his training tasks with greater zest, sprinted his 800 m in 495, the lust 600 m in an impressive 35.85. Clansman’s first clash this season with Every Show will be one ofjrihe

attractions at the Timaru meeting on Saturday. They will meet at weight-for-age over 1200 m in the Woodfield Stakes. Hint, the only three-year-old in the Woodfield Stakes, was paired with her stablemate Grey Sapphire to run 800 m in 49.45, the last 600 m in 37.25. Kevin Bumett will ride Hint on Saturday and the stable apprentice, Judy Hawes, will partner Grey Sapphire in the W. A. Grant Handicap. Marche Noir, which missed a start in the John Grigg Stakes because of a foot injury, showed plenty of enthusiasm for his 600 m dash in 36.85. He will probably race at the Geraldine meeting as a lead-up to a start in the Dunedin Guineas. Donizetti, the John Grigg Stakes third, completed his 800 m in 49.85. Earlier Whirl recorded 49.25. Super Micron, a Mussorgsky filly in John Bourne’s

team, Jed her stablemate, Salutation, finishing 800 m in 495, the last 600 m in 3725. Lord of the Dance, a former runner for the Hocking Travel Handicap at Washdyke, was paired with Longline to run 800 m in 52.75. Grant Davison will ride Lord of the Dance on Saturday. Handsome Heir, which was only nosed out of second by Lord of the Dance in the Ashburton Cup, had Chiasso as a companion for 800 m in 50.45. Daedalus led Kimono by three parts of a length finishing 800 m in 49.85. Auk Princess and Ariage followed in 525. Pronto King outran Lady Beebe over 800 m in 495, a good trial for the W. A. Grant Handicap at Washdyke. Other 800 m gallops: Astronomus and Lazy Swell 52.55, Early Dance 51s, Cara Dancer and Gallacillian 49.85, Elemental 50.25, Della Rand 51,85, Dominion 48.85.