Rifleman coasts in

Press, 9 March 1987, Page 29

Rifleman coasts in

By

J. J. BOYLE

The Levin trainer. Garth Ivil, did not have high hopes realised with his three-year-old Arctic Wolf last spring. But he appears to have unearthed another three-year-old of great potential.

Rifleman, a gelding by Ace of Aces out of Fair Mellay, turned the 1400 m Pacific Maiden No. 2 at Trentham on Saturday into something like a ritual slaughter. He won coasting by 10 lengths and the danger signals were hoisted for the others when his rider, Tony Allan, spent little

time near the home turn looking behind him for any would-be challenger. It was a needless exercise. Rifleman had reduced his rivals to a straggling procession with the race little more than half over, in this, his second start, one that followed a second at Hastings. Even with careful regard for the fact that Rifleman was not in exalted company on Saturday strong signals still emerged from one of the most memorable performances of the day. Garth Ivil might have another “comer.”