Biko leads all way

Press, 20 February 1988, Page 32

Biko leads all way

Peter Jones may have lost the three-year-old Sound Reason colt, St James, from his Riccarton stable, but he has a likelylooking sort in Biko for the Southland Guineas if all goes well in the meantime.

Biko had that assignment put on his schedule after leading all the way in the McLean Maiden at the Amberley meeting yesterday. Biko showed considerable promise in the spring but had to be put aside with niggling minor troubles. He has come up well this time and Jones, who gave $20,000 for him as a yearling, is confident he will go on improving. "I might run him at the Riccarton Turf Club meeting before confirming the Southland Guineas,” he said. Jones races the Standaan gelding in partnership with Mrs Jones and Mrs Shirley McMillan. Biko brought about a change of luck for rider Chris Johnson who had not greeted the judge since winning three races at Invercargill on February 5.

St James has been having treatment in the North Island and is based at the stable of Ken and Bev Kelso. Owner, Reg Richards, has not decided what plan to follow with him, but the horse will have a full trial next Tuesday to determine his condition. He may well remain in the north.

The two-year-old Pincer, which Jones has developed for Mr Richards, is now being trained by Tony and Lyn Prendergast.

Hamblin was the best of Biko’s rivals yesterday, chasing him all the way. Double Reason and the disappointing High Power were next to finish.