Matthew Ryan deserves success

Press, 11 May 1984, Page 19

Matthew Ryan deserves success

Special correspondent Auckland So narrowly beaten when third in his last start and runner-up to Fothers the time before, Matthew Ryan will have a deserved success if he wins as expected in the Breeders’ Plate at the Northern Wairoa Racing Club’s meeting at Dargaville today. Matthew Ryan went under by less than a length in his latest attempt, over 1400 m at Ellerslie on May 5. It was a specially good effort because with 58kg he was required to give 6.5 kg to the winner, Just Silver, and 7.5 kg to the second placegetter, Mr Amigo. For the Dargaville race Matthew Ryan is down Ikg and he has the advantage of an inside barrier position (No. 3), while several of his best-regarded opponents drew much wider. Matthew Ryan has any amount of speed. He enjoys racing up in front and might well lead them all the way. Boilermaker, Infinite Secret and Beechland were among Matthew Ryan’s opponents which suffered in the draw for barrier positions, a great pity because they are young horses of considerable ability. If the ground becomes very soft Boilermaker will have to be considered nevertheless, and Infinite Secret made such as impressive racing debut when he won over 1300 m at Ellerslie on May 1 that he remains one of the better prospects. Great Chevalier is good on his day, Clayton’s holds fair form and Lord shivas has been showing up in barrier trials as though likely to become very useful.

Even Prince is a front runner which should be hard to catch in the first leg of the double, the Gordon Thompson Handicap. Two starts back he set a 2400 m record at Ellerslie. Meanwhile he came in third over 2100, run down close to home by Mighty Louis and Betro. Bakbar Dancer, Golden Treiay and Wyndham are other chances for the first leg. In the second leg, the Dalgety Challenge Cup, General Weyand stands out, especially as he will enjoy -the advantage of a 3kg apprentice allowance.