Morrie Man wins in track record time at Omakau

Press, 13 January 1987, Page 30

Morrie Man wins in track record time at Omakau

Special correspondent Dunedin Morrie Man recorded a grand performance to win the DB Draught Handicap in track record time on the second day of the Vincent Jockey Club’s meeting at Omakau yesterday. He came from back on the inner to record 1:23.4 for the 1400 metres. Morrie Man also won on the first day of the meeting and he is now unbeaten in three starts on the Omakau course. The Avaray-Adaway gelding is raced by former All Black, Waka

Nathan, Bill and Mrs Comes, of Cambridge, and Graham Pankhurst, of Brisbane. Mr Pankhurst’s . brother, Ray, trains Morrie Man at Orari.' A Waikato yearling sale purchase, Morrie Man has now won seven races. His half-sister, Royal Adder, has won 17 including yesterday’s Hokitika Cup, mainly from the Pankhurst stable. Morrie Man will rate next at Greymouth on Friday. The Greymouth meeting is also on the programme of Some Bird, which added to a tidy record with a win in the

McLaren Transport Handicap yesterday. Some Bird-was ridden by Gore horseman,. Stephen Allen, but Grant Davison will be offered the ride at Greymouth, according to the mare’s Christchurch owner, Mark Bailey, who has her in the Riccarton stable of John TurnbUH. Mr Bailey leased a half share in Some Bird from the Levin trainer, Brian Ansley, two months ago and the mare won at Greymouth at the end of November. She came up trumps again at the Wairio meeting last month and was runner-up in

three of her foiir starts on the Christmas-New Year circuit Courier Flight turned in a bold run for fifth behind Mbrrie Man yesterday. He was held up by the tiring Reutemann at the 450 metres after racing mid-field and was switched wide in the straight. ■ , All Robinson is aiming Courier Flight for the White Robe Handicap, a race the entire won last year. His next start will be in the . $20,000 Carters Southland Stakes, a welght-for-age 1600 metres at Ascot Park on February 6. _____