I’m Henry back in training after long spell

Press, 10 January 1987, Page 31

I’m Henry back in training after long spell

Special correspondent Auckland I’m Henry, so outstanding when a three-year-old, is back in training at Takanini after a long spell, taken in hand again by Colin Jillings. The gelding, now six, has not raced for three years, since he won the Wellington Derby. Following his Trentham success, and when being brought along again for the autumn, with Sydney in mind. I’m Henry became troubled by a suspensory ligament and he was straightaway spelled. Other niggling problems prevented his being tried again until some three or four months ago, when he

began beach work at Ruakaka. He returned to Jillings’ care just this week. Never of eye-catching appearance, I’m Henry looks healthy and he has quite obviously managed a fair amount of preliminary work. Being of such class, I’m Henry will attract plenty of attention as his training continues. With six firsts in 11 starts he was the best three-year-old of his year, seldom winning by much but always thoroughly game. I’m Henry came into Jillings’ stable midway through his two-year-old season and in an auspicious first start from his new quarters won the A.R.C. Eclipse Stakes. He

was later second in the Radio Pacific Sires Produce Stakes, also at EUerslie. Next season he won the A.R.C. Guineas Trial, Great Northern Guineas, Waikato Guineas, Avondale Guineas, New Zealand Derby then the big one at Trentham. He was second, as well, in the Wellington Stakes and Te Aroha’s Potter Stakes and third in the Wellington Guineas. A bay, he is by Entrepreneur from Ina Bahroo. It seems that neither Bonecrusher nor Waverley Star will be in the Air New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie this year. The co-trainer of

• Waverley Star, Dave O’Sullivan, said today that he held out little hope of being able to prepare the horse in time for the big Ellerslie race, on February 21. Bonecrusher's trainer, Frank Ritchie. said earlier this week that the Air New Zealand Stakes was not on his horse’s programme. O’Sullivan said he would not be making any firm plans for Waverley Star, which returned from Australia on Thursday, until he had had some time to assess the horse’s condition after such a long period away from home. An autumn campaign in Sydney was being considered