Narrative wins Ashley Powell Memorial

Press, 7 December 1987, Page 37

Narrative wins Ashley Powell Memorial

Special correspondent

Dunedin

Narrative signalled his return to racing with a stunning win in the Ashley Powell Memorial Handicap at the Beaumont Racing Club’s meeting at Wingatui on Saturday. It was a performance that brought Mm into contention for the Hazlett Stakes (1600 m on the course in a fortnight Narrative, having his first race for five months and at a distance (1200m)' short of his best picked up nine lengths on the leader from the 600 metres and won easily by a length. Rider, Ali Robinson, was most impressed with Narrative and jumped at the chance to ride him in

the Hazlett Stakes.-

Robinson was expected to start Courier Flight in the Hazlett, but the entire has been eased in his work and will miss Christ-mas-New Year racing. •‘He (Courier Flight) is just not hitting out well. I don’t know what the probgetting any younger. I doubt if he would have beaten Narrative the way he won today,” said Robinson.

Narrative will be on trial for the Jarden Mile at Trentham next month when he contests the Hazlett Stakes.

Narrative won twice over the Hazlett distance, at Wingatul in May when ridden by Chris Johnson, who was committed to Knight Invader on Satur-

day. Knight Invader showed he was close to his best when he came from the tail of the field at the 400 metres for second. He had dropped out to last early, two lenghts behind Narrative.

Black Heath was a big disappointment, fading to fifth after holding a five length lead at the 700 metres.

Black Heath was wide early before he went clear at the 900 metres and he struck the running rail near the 800 metres, according to his rider Anthony Hunsche. He ran wide entering the straight and then gave ground quickly.

Noble Pal boosted his holiday prospects with a

decisive win in the Palisade Gold Cup. Ridden by Paul Richards’ Noble Pal was in fourth place on the outer until the 600 metres where he moved up to the pacemaker, Eminence.

He went clear at the 300 metres and won comfortably. Noble Pal will be back at Wingatul in a fortnight and he is being aimed for the Waikouaiti Cup on New Year’s Day. The well-supported Graikos was never hitting out well, according to his rider, John Dowling. He said this could be contributed to the horse becoming upset and thrashing out with his hind legs in the starting stalls. Jimmy Moffat, who was having his first race ride

for close on four years, landed Some Knight an easy winner in a maiden event Moffat rode 66

winners over four seasons before he gave away riding and took employment in an appliance factory.