Track given approval

Press, 11 October 1988, Page 32

Track given approval

Special correspondent

Greymouth

Experienced West Coast horsemen gave Victoria Park Raceway the thumbs up after trials were held at the Greymouth track on Saturday. The heavy rain experienced through the week continued on Friday night, yet after only a couple of hours drying, the track presented trialists with an excellent racing surface, and some very respectable times were recorded. Westport reinsmen, Trevor Craddock and Bill Walsh, both told club officials after the trials meeting that the newly laid surface presented no problems and this has reassured the Greymouth Trotting Club as its October meeting is scheduled for Monday and Wednesday of next week.

Four heats were contested at the trials meeting and several West Coast trained horses impressed as prospective winners at next week’s meeting. The Cl and faster event was won by Sefton visitor, Ocean Ranger, which was backing up a winning trial run at Rangiora recently, but the promising Westport pacer, Tania’s Boy, was under a hold at the line and Besta Kara gave the impression he would improve with the run. Bill Cummings produced El Rachene to win the maiden pacers’ heat, the well-bred pacer,

handled by Bill Walsh, going to the line a length clear and with something in reserve.

El Rachene was an impressive qualifier for Cummings last season and should not be long breaking out of maiden ranks. Marseilles put in a good run to finish second after losing ground in the middle stages of the heat. The eye-catcher of the day was Jenny Reb, a Yankee Reb mare from Wally Forsyth’s stable, which led all the way in the CO and faster trotters’ event, and held a comfortable lead at the finish line.

Jenny Reb is a daughter of Yankee Reb, out of the useful trotting mare, More Chips, and is raced by a syndicate of Buller sports-

men. It would not surprise if she won first-up at Greymouth. Results: CO and faster trot. 2600m.—Jenny Reb (W. Forsyth). Repus Pride (W. Walsh) 2, Mary's Fan (T. Craddock) 3. Time: 3:42.1. Margins: 3 len, 4 len. CO pacers, 2600 m—El Rachene (W. Walsh) 1, Marseilles (T. Fox) 2, Spring Harcourt (T. Craddock) 3. Time: 3:38.2. Margins. 1 len. 1 len. Cl and faster pacers, 2600 m—Ocean Ranger (T. Craddock) 1. Tania’s Boy (L. Cockfield) 2 Desta Kara (W. Cummings) 3. Time: 3:35.7. Margins: */ 2 len, ‘/ 2 len, 1 len. Experience Trial. 2600 m— Golden Rani (T. Craddock) 1, Jay Don (W. Walsh) 2, Petite Plail (W. Cummings) 3. Time: 3:41.7. Margins: 2>/ 2 len. i/ 2 len, 5 len.