Davison rides five winners at Riccarton

Press, 13 December 1986, Page 38

Davison rides five winners at Riccarton

“Win with Davison” was the theme for much of the day’s racing at Riccarton yesterday. The Riccarton-based leading jockey landed four winners, two seconds and one third in successive attempts before having to settle for sixth on Satiny’s Pride in the Flying Handicap.

Grant Davison’s winners in order of appearance were Koko, Ysatis, Peach Melba, and Blovinski.

Then, after Satiny’s Pride’s failure to reach the money in the feature sprint race, Davison bounced back to land Slick Million a winner in the Canterbury 1600, the final race on the 10-event programme. The race was the subject of an inquiry, with Davison facing a charge of causing interference. The placings were allowed to stand, but Davison was fined $lOO.

Blovinski hardly had to draw a deep breath in winning the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Christmas Handicap. His performance gave

his owner, Mrs Greta Lalor, and her trainerhusband, Tom, the confidence to proceed with plans for an assault on rich summer races in the North Island. Blovinski will have the Manawatu and Wellington Cups as his main targets on his North Island campaign.

He was a dominating favourite for the first leg of the T.A.B. double yesterday, and gave his rider, Grant Davison, no worrying moments. “We settled nicely early — no problems,” Davison said after he brought the five-year-old Palatable gelding out on top by a length — a margin that slightly flattered the runner-up Rapsea.

This was Blovinski’s tenth win from 27 starts and he has now earned close on $50,000.

Yesterday’s first prize was worth only $4OOO — the only aspect of the race to disappoint Blovinski’s owner. Davison’s commitments at South Island meetings could cost him a chance of continuing his associa-

tion with Blovinski at the Manawatu meeting, and a North Island jockey could partner the big bay when he appears at Awapuni.

Davison had Blovinski splendidly positioned behind his stablemate. His Latest and the Wingatuitrained Double Lang coming to the home turn yesterday.

His Latest could not offer much opposition in the straight, and Blovinski reached the front almost at his leisure.

Rapsea, which had been close behind Blovinski on the home turn, went through with his run doggedly, but was safely held.

Double Lang was unchallenged for his third and Dig In outfinished Taxtale for fourth.

Pokare improved the good record of the Michael Pitman stable at Riccarton this season by winning the Flying Handicap.

The five-year-old Claudio Nicolai gelding justified solid backing by winning nicely in the hands of Tane Matthews, and he

will now be prepared for the Hazlett Stakes at Wingatui next week. If he holds his form through holiday racing he will be pointed for the rich Jarden Mile, at the Wellington Cup meeting. Pokare, now winner of nine races from 46 starts, did not emerge with all the honours of yesterday’s 1200 m race. Call It Quits came from second to last with a late charge for second, and the Southland sprinter, Knight Invader, showed formidable finishing powers to come from last in a gap and wind up third. Until they made their late appearance Aegean Princess seemed certain to return one of the dividends, but she wound up fourth, just ahead of the faster-finishing Noble Note.

Jonny Alone, the win favourite, never really got into the race after being held up for racing room behind the middle of the field leaving the chute to the course proper.