Rueben Charles to continue racing in N.Z.

Press, 16 September 1987, Page 33

Rueben Charles to continue racing in N.Z.

By JEFF SCOTT

The New South Walesowned Rueben Charles, which recorded his second win from four starts at Addington Raceway last Friday, is to continue racing in New Zealand. “He’ll race here until he’s reached his mark then go to Australia,” said his Weedons trainer, Mark Smolensk!, yesterday.

"I don’t know how far he’ll go, he's surprised me so far,” he added of the Lumber Dream gelding, which also changed hands after his decisive win last week-end.

The four-year-old was initially a $9OOO purchase, at the National yearling sales, by Messrs Johnny Bezzina and Bill Mostyn and raced in their owner-

ship until this week when Mr Mostyn bought out his partner.

“Mr Bezzina was a client of the late Devlin Rickerby, who selected the horse at the sales,” said Smolensk!. A son of Seafield Majesty (four wins) from the same family that produced another winner on the night in Mythical, Rueben Charles was broken in by Mark’s father, Jack Smolensk!, but was injured as a youngster.

“When due to return to work, Jack was working a big team and had no room for him,” said Mark. While Rueben Charles has yet to finish further back than third in four appearances, he took 13 attempts to qualify, finishing second nine times and

third once when the winner-only system was in use over the winter months.

The long build-up given Rueben Charles by Mark Smolensk! and the experience gained around the trials has stood him in good stead for his early racing.

A first-up winner at Timaru last month in 3:26.6 (2600 m stand), the well-mannered gelding won easing down last Friday in 3:25.38 for the same distance, but has drawn the outside of the second row in a 2000 m C2 sprint at Methven on Saturday.

The younger Smolensk! has also taken over the training of the former two-year-old winner, Petite Glamour, which makes her four-year-old debut at Methven this week.