Roydon Glen withdrawn because of barrier draw

Press, 12 March 1985, Page 29

Roydon Glen withdrawn because of barrier draw

PA Auckland The champion pacer Roydon Glen has been scratched from his race against Dillon Dale at Alexandra Park tomorrow evening because of an unfavourable draw. The four-year-old was withdrawn yesterday morning after drawing No. 8 in the L. W. Twist Mobile Mile, robbing the race of the considerable interest which had been building up in Auckland for the last week. Roydon Glen’s handler, "Bluey” Steele, said the horse was fit and well, and would have started had he drawn handier. “He could do with the run, he’s jumping out of his skin.

“He’s eating and drinking everything in sight and worked two miles in 4min 50s this morning,” said Steele.” No decision has been made by Fred Fletcher, Roydon Glen’s trainer, concerning a start in the Meadowset Graphics Handicap over 2700 m on the third night of the Alexandra Park meeting. However, the horse would be a definite starter in the Te Awamutu Cup for three and four-year-olds over one mile at Cambridge on Friday week. “Fred is keen just to race him against horses his own age," Steele said. Steele added that Fletcher was wary of Roydon Glen’s difficulty in get-

ting round the Showgrounds bend in both the New Zealand Messenger Final and the Auckland Cup. “The mile start is 100 metres closer to the bend than those races were, and Fred didn’t want to risk it. "I suppose Auckland won’t be too happy with us," Steele grinned. One man who is quite happy is Don Dwyer, the trainer of Dillon Dale. However, he had a warning for punters — Dillon Dale would be no certainty with Roydon Glen out.

"It will be tough for him first up. People must remember it is his first race for three months, and all the speedsters in the field have drawn inside him," Dwyer said.