Shorty Bijou scores spoiler’s victory in Cup

Press, 28 December 1988, Page 26

Shorty Bijou scores spoiler’s victory in Cup

By

DAVID McCARTHY

Hopes of a successful southern debut from the Prendergast stable for the favourite, St James, were dashed by the stable apprentice, Jan Cameron, on Shorty Bijou in the D.B. Timaru Cup yesterday.

Shorty Bijou, a longodds third in the James Hazlett Stakes last week under similar conditions, capitalised on a dream run to mow down St James late in the piece after the favourite had looked all over the winner 300 m out.

Shorty Bijou recorded another feature race win for the Southland owner Henry Ruddenklau, who races the gelding in partnership with Betty Sutherland through whose late husband, lan, Mr Ruddenklau became involved with breeding from the family of Shorty Bijou’s dam, Chic Mellay.

Shorty Bijou is trained by John Phillips at Winton who won several races with Mr Ruddenklau’s other star performer this

season, the Grand National Hurdles winner, Ocean Guard. Rex Cochrane took over Ocean Guard when the time came for his jumping career to start. Shorty Bijou is something of a specialist 1600 m horse having won three at that distance this year. He may run in the Wyndham Cup on New Year’s Day as a lead-up to the Invercargill Gold Cup before reverting to 1600 m in the White Robe Stakes in February. Cameron, who rode Mr Magoo into second place in the Timaru Cup last year, has only recently returned to race riding after serious leg injuries sustained early this year. She had earlier posted a double at Invercargill on

Alberjon and Seconder. St James was far from disgraced and there was much to admire about his run. He was trapped three wide from a wide draw and remained in the open before being set alight soon after the turn for home. Grant Davison was concerned that the horse should be clear of others at that stage in case any erratic tendencies developed.

‘‘He did run in as it happened but I was pleased with the run and how he did,” said Davison who carried the whip in his left hand for the first time since riding St James to win last season’s Grigg Classic. While St James was three wide in the midfield Shorty Bijou was able to

work up inside him at the 1000 m and trail the favourite at the turn.

Knnight Invader, which looped the field in the middle stages, showed grit to hold third ahead of the second favourite, Spangles. “She didn’t feel as good today. She sort of felt as if she were stabbing at the ground instead of flowing over it,” said rider, Paul Richards.

Spangles got handy early but lead changes saw her back in the middle at the 600 m which made things more difficult for her.

Exchequer did well for fifth, ahead of Diamond Annie while Shy Di and Red Hawk both disappointed. Neither fired in the run home.