Greek Boy looks well

Press, 12 July 1985, Page 29

Greek Boy looks well

Special correspondent Wellington The Riddiford Steeplechase top weight, Greek Boy, was at Awapuni yesterday morning on his way to Trentham for one of the feature races there tomorrow.

Greek Boy, owned and trained by Mr M. Grafas at Te Puke, has not raced since he caused a sensation in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase last month. He lost his rider early in that race then continued on, jumping most of the fences in front of the field. But he crashed heavily at a wire fence running along the back of the course and not surprisingly he was very sore afterwards.

Greek Boy was on the easy list for a while but, according to Grafas, he has recovered sufficiently for a Riddiford start to be confirmed.

Greek Boy was given strong work yesterday in the hands of Graeme Lord and he certainly looks

pretty well. The last time he raced at Trentham he was just beaten by Mr Hickey in last year’s Steel and Tube Steeplechase. With few horses engaged from Awapuni on the last day at Trentham and with trials on yesterday at Bulls there was little galloping. Flying Tui worked a good 1000 m on the plough and after a useful race on the first day, he could be a chance in the Onslow Handicap. Diamond Raider was timed over 1200 m in Imin 235, the last 600 in 41s. He was quietly fancied on the first day but was disappointing. He has ability when caught in the mood and he could show improvement in the Skelton Farewell Handicap. On the course proper, Mussella worked well to shade Fill the Cup over 1000 m in Imin 8.55, the last 600 in 39.55. Mussella has freshened since racing in the Hastings mud last month and she is in fine fettle for a possible start at Levin.