Merely Magic shows his class

Press, 2 July 1985, Page 30

Merely Magic shows his class

By STEVE WILSON

Merely Magic showed his class to win the Lucky Petfood Garden City Classic (560 m at the Christchurch Greyhound Racing Club’s meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park yesterday. After taking up a handy position behind his littermate, Janie’s Boy early, he rallied well to lead with about 250 m to go and kept a

two length advantage to the line.

F)or the owner-trainer, Ron Blackburn, it was very pleasing, as Merely Magic has been having back problems since the South Island Championship last month. Mr Blackburn sought the services of Mr Trevor Jolly, of Christchurch, whose therapy has helped to cure the dog of the trouble.

The run of Janie’s Boy was a much improved one. He fought solidly all the way, and made a good race of it with Merely Magic for most of the way. McPete ran an honest race for third, well clear of the rest, headed by Kiwi Prince.

Speak Up Girl made it two wins for the day for Invercargill-trained dogs —

Stress won the Winter Stakes earlier in the day — when she powered home to win the Roneo Laurels, second leg of the T.A.B. double.

Laurel’s Best led early, but came off the rails on the first bend, allowing Speak Up Girl to come through and take up a handy lead. The others, led

by Matagouri Rose, Smokeaway and Lee Moran, tried hard to pick the leader up, but never got close. Graffle provided the highlight of the day, when winning the Shell Stakes in 19.61 s for the 330 m. A comparison of this time with Bark Man Bark’s 19.75 s earlier in the day suggests that this promising youngster has a bright future.