Luck changes for family

Press, 2 July 1986, Page 44

Luck changes for family

Special correspondent Wellington An evenly judged ride by Stephen Jenkins at the Egmont Wanganui Hunt Club’s meeting yesterday, just a couple of days back from Australia, brought an end to the drought and bad luck that has dogged the Myers family these last few weeks. Jenkins rode Durham Lad to capture the Grey Warbler Hunt Cup steeplechase over Jean Rapier and Alldat Jazz. The Myers are noted for having a strong team of winter performers and

the early season form of Hutch and Doctor Sam was encouraging, but since Doctor Sam won the Waikato Hurdle last May, their luck has been out. Two of their horses, Master Blaster and Heindenberg have had to be destroyed. Durham Lad races in the colours of family patriach Bill Myers. The colours have been prominent in recent seasons, but the jumping win yesterday was the first for Mr Myers since Gun for Fun’s Grand National Hurdle triumph at Riccarton last

August; apart from New Star’s win on the flat last month. Durham Lad, left alone pretty much all the way, had too much left in reserve at the finish and won by six lengths over Jean Rapier. While he scored comfortably enough, it was only his second run over big fences. He was sixth in his debut at Hawera last month. There are not plans at this stage to take Durham Lad to Australia, while Doctor Sam, which raced unsuccessfully in the

Moonee Valley Hurdle last Saturday, is to come back to New Zealand. Jean Rapier had been on trial for a trip to Australia, but his trainer Graeme Rogerson said this would not eventuate. The gelding’s effort yesterday was his first race over bigger fences this season. He was a bit fresh early on, but jumped kindly throughout Rogerson said that the gelding would have a break before coming back for the $15,000 DB Draught Inter-Island Steeple at Paeroa on July 30.