Rock Crystal aimed for Riverton

Press, 20 February 1986, Page 38

Rock Crystal aimed for Riverton

Special correspondent Invercargill “Hopefully, if the tracks soften a bit and I can get some schooling into him, he will be at Riverton for the Great Western,” the Wingatui trainer, Hector Anderton, said when discussing the future of his outstanding steeplechaser, Rock Crystal. The grey son of Native Turn and Princess Mellay won the 1984 Great Western Steeplechase. He was denied the chance of defending his title last season when he bowed a tendon in his near fore leg during preparatory training. Andertson, who took over the training of Rock Crystal on the death of his father, reports that the gelding is still a “little heavy” in condition. “However, he came through his Wingatui race on the flat last Saturday

particularly well and his troubled leg is very good,” Anderton said. Rock Crystal’s tendon problem, he said, was similar to that suffered by Noble River in Australia. Anderton employed the healing qualities of a medicinal bandage, handed down to him by his late father. Rock Crystal will be prepared for a hurdles event at Cromwell next month. "But I won’t push him early ... we might have done that last year and he was bowled out,” he said. It is not easy, he added, to have a jumper ready for the Great Western and still have it sharp for the Grand National Steeplechase in August. ‘,*But Bill Hillis has often proved that it can be done,” Anderton said. Native Satin, a Native Turn gelding from Brown

Satin (New Zealand Oaks) is a fledgling jumper for which Anderton holds high hopes. Native Satin won seven races on the flat and scored over hurdles at Cromwell last March. “He is certainly ready to kick off and should be at Riverton,” Anderton said. Anderton’s elder brother, Brian, has veteran ’chaser, Bymai, and Lord Venture progressing satisfactorily in fresh campaigns. Old Bymai could not foot it with his more exuberant flat rivals at Wingatui on Tuesday, but the outing is expected to play a valuable part in his early Great Western preparation.

Bymai and Lord Venture may also contest the hurdles event at Cromwell, all going well in the next few days.