Blovinski fifth; rider suspended

Press, 23 February 1987, Page 27

Blovinski fifth; rider suspended

By

J. J. BOYLE

The Riccarton-trained Blovinski picked up $4375 for his fifth in the Air New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday. Besides, his run might have encouraged his connections to remain in the north with him and point him for the $50,000 Avondale Classic, a 2200 m handicap at Avondale next Saturday.

Blovinski was booked to return south today with the Wingatuitrained Random Chance, the Air New Zealand Stakes sixth. A decision

about a stay over for another race in the north will depend on how he recovers from his hard race on Saturday. A change of rider will be necessary if Blovinski races at Avondale. Grant Davison was suspended until after next Saturday’s racing for his contribution to an incident on the turn leaving the home straight soon after the start of the Air New Zealand Stakes* * Whetu and The Filbert were crowded as a result of Davison’s quest to work over from the out-

side on Blovinski. The Filbert was the worst sufferer. He hit the running rail, and when settled again was well down the field, some two lengths astern of Blovinski* The Filbert rallied to finish fourth, just beating Blovinski. Blovinski was one of the first to come under heavy pressure, and earned Davison’s admiration for the generosity of his response.

“He was flat on the home turn, but never stopped trying,” Davison said later. .

Blovinski’s owner, Mrs Greta Lalor, was giving a Sydney Cup start earnest consideration after the Palatable gelding’s placed run in the Foster’s Wellington Cup, but she might delay a trip across the Tasman until later in the year.

“He’s been hard at it since November and has earned a break. If we ease him for a week or two it will give him a -chance to freshen and then we could look at a race like the Fourex Cup in Brisbane in the winter,” Mrs Lalor said on Saturday.