In the Glen game, narrow winner at Riccarton

Press, 14 December 1985, Page 26

In the Glen game, narrow winner at Riccarton

By J.

J. J. BOYLE

In the Glen squeezed through small gaps close to home to nose out the favourite Royal Sceptre, in the last stride in the Christmas Handicap at the Canterbury jockey club’s meeting at Riccarton yesterday. “If we had not foiind the gap she would have been a good thing beaten,” In the Glen’s rider, Chris Johnson, said later. “She had enough class and gameness to stick her neck into the gap when a half space opened up for us, and it was only a question of her getting up in time to beat Royal Sceptre,” Johnson said. Johnson is fashioning a

Srofitable partnership with le Riccarton trainer, Garth Jackson, on his home track this season.

Last month Johnson won the Chemico New Zealand Cup on In the Glen’s stablemate, Samasaan. Next for In the Glen will be the weight-for-age Timaru Cup. Then she will be pointed for the Kumara Gold Nuggets. In the Glen’s latest trip to the West Coast yielded a win in the Westland Racing Club’s Shantytown Stakes. The seven-year-old In the Purple mare thrived on and since the trip, but her connectons had one reservation about her chance yesterday — whether she was quite up to giving weight all round with her 57kg. A daring ride from Chris Johnson yesterday helped to make that possible. ' “It was a great ride from Chris, and that made all the difference,” Garth Jackson said after yesterday’s win.

But Johnson came under official attention for his ride when in cramped quarters. He was fined ?100 after being found guilty of interference to Vrinsk and Pronto King in the straight.

In the Glen started 12 wide, but for much of the race she was holding a snug position alongside the rails about mid-field.

Vrinsk made it a good gallop in front, cutting out the opening 1200 m in 1:13.8.

Royal Sceptre had settled about fourth and appeared to be finding enough to see it out when he struck the

front, but he found In the Glen’s late charge irresistible.

All Trebles was clearly the best of the others a length back. He finished a length and a quarter clear of the Wingatui veteran, Kade, which came from well down the field. Royal Adder made some headway for fifth.

His Latest, the second favourite, dropped out quickly in the straight, managing to beat only Applicate and Frontline.

“He ran like a tired horse,” said his rider, Grant Cooksley.

The Riccarton jockey, Grant Davison, was left to rue the decision to start

Noble Note after Dainty Dish nosed out the top weight in the Flying Handicap, second leg of the T.A.B. double.

A start for Noble Note was not certain earlier in the week and Davison then made a provisional arrangement to ride Dainty Dish, and partnered her in her lead-up gallop on Wednesday.

Later on Wednesday Davison was told Noble Note would run, leaving the ride on Dainty Dish open. His lucky substitute was Grant Cooksley, who steered the six-year-old through a small gap to take a short lead close to home.

Noble Note charged home

to cut into that lead, but Dainty Dish lasted for a game nose victory. Dainty Dish and Noble Note are likely to meet again in the Timaru Cup. Sound Note was not seriously challenged for third. She appeared to be a winning chance for a few strides further up the straight, but could not find the finishing speed to contain Dainty Dish and Noble Note.

Jonny Alone, the favourite, never got into the race after a slow start. Black Arrow also drifted to the tail-end line, then passed beaten rivals to wind up fifth.