Silver Elm runs record in Oaks

Press, 23 April 1984, Page 19

Silver Elm runs record in Oaks

Special correspondent Auckland Silver Elm reached top form too late to have any chance with Burletta for the Filly of the Year series but she has finished her three-year-old racing on the highest note. Her beating a filly of Aptitude’s talents to take the Oaks at Ellerslie on Saturday represented an achievement in itself. Add to that her running a course record and the win becomes indeed notable. From 200 metres out Silver Elm and Altitude

had a ding-dong battle which Silver Elm won by half a length. Her 2:26.98 for the 2400 metres broke the record by nearly half a second — the previous best was Ngapunawai’s 2:27.34 back in 1975 — and she ran the last 800 m in just a fraction worse than 48s. Silver Elm won when her rider, Jim Cassidy, sent her forward from the 600 metres. Aptitude, which had been close behind, was a few moments late in getting out to follow the other filly. All the way down the straight she was up on Silver Elm’s quarters, trying her hardest but un-

able to get the lead. Behind Shagolvin, third and a length and a half away from Aptitude, the other 15 were beaten very decisively. The win brought her owner, Mr Barry Blackshaw, a $34,875 stake and staff at his Downing Plastic Industries, in Masterton, yet another bonus. Mr Blackshaw bred Silver Elm, by In the Purple from Sassy, by Sovereign Prince from Black Chiffon, a mare by Golovine, and he shares £ the racing of her with a 1 group of his employees.