Farfalla makes the grade as ’chaser

Press, 12 July 1984, Page 36

Farfalla makes the grade as ’chaser

From J. J. BOYLE Wellington The Awapuni jumping rider, Paul Goss, marked his return to race-riding after an injury by winning the Mariri Steeplechase on Farfalla at Trentham yesterday. Goss broke a bone in a shoulder in a fall from Head Mistress in the Awapuni Hurdles in June. He was particularly keen to get a clearance to ride yesterday because Farfalla is trained by his father, Clem, and the Retained gelding is one of the more promising young ’chasers in

the Central Districts. Farfalla has had only four starts over country and yesterday’s was his first win as a ’chaser. He also campaigned at the Hawke’s Bay winter meeting but the i ground was too firm there ; to show him to best advan- i tage. Royal Bank, the best of i Farfalla’s rivals yesterday, 1 was carrying familiar colours. Mr Ted Preston, who races the Bally Royal geld- ] ing in partnership with Mrs j Preston, raced a big team s of jumpers back in the 1940 s < and 19505. He was also one I of the guiding lights in the 1

introduction of the figure eight steeplechase course to Trentham. Peka Prince, a battling third four lengths behind Royal Bank, is a stablemate of the winner and at five years was one of the youngest runners. Another five-year-old contender, and a disappointing one was the Matangi-trained Alldat Jazz. This chestnut son of Royal Ridge mixed his jumping in the middle stages, and that took its toll of his energies when he was trying to make headway in the last 800 m.