St James works hard

Press, 19 January 1989, Page 28

St James works hard

By DAVID MCCARTHY

St James was given a stern workout on the plough at Riccarton yesterday morning in his last major trial for the Anniversary Handicap at Trentham on Saturday.

St James was to leave at midnight in the care of his part-trainer, Tony Prendergast. He will, be ridden by Grant Cooksley in both his Trentham engagements, as Grant Davison was only available to ride the gelding on the first day. Davison’s plans could also affect Saveur, which runs in the Wellington Stakes and the St Leger.

St James was ridden by Tony Prendergast yesterday and he went over 1400 m picking up Shari Lad (Jan Cameron) at the 1000 m. St James ran his last 1200 m in 1:14.9, his last 800 m in 51.1 and his last 600 m in 38.8 easing near the finish. He ran his 600 m from the 1200 m in just over 36.

Willybeleica put down

The Riccarton-trained galloper, Willybeleica, was put down after breaking a leg in the Lauder Handicap, the final event of the Vincent meeting on Monday. Willybeleica was a halfbrother to Abit Leica, and while the answer to the implied question in his name was in the negative he was a useful performer on his day. He was one of the regular members of the Busuttin stable at Riccarton and one of a team taken south by Terry Bryden for the Vincent meeting, at which Dandy Lad was a winner. Willybeleica’s fate was unfortunate and not aided by the lengthy delay before he was attended by a veterinary surgeon after the race.

Davison still leads

Grant Davison rode a winner without increasing

his tally for the season when successful on Cidermite at Hokitika on Monday.

Davison “lost” a race when Veda was relegated behind Tirana at an appeal hearing last week.

Davison’s lead on the national table is still clear-cut. David Walsh, his closest challenger, was sidelined from yesterday’s Foxton meeting through suspension and goes to Trentham on 53 wins, seven behind the leader. Peter Johnson’s injury has taken him out of contention, at least temporarily, but Lance O’Sullivan (45) and Greg Childs (42) are making likely bids, O’Sullivan having had a mixed season so far.

Raymond Bruce (32) and Paul Richards (29) are the next best southerners to Davison, though Chris Johnson’s riding of nine winners in two days on the Coast suggests he will be a force before the season is over.

Avondale ■

SUMMER IMPROVERS $7000: 2000 m. 3-2 FINAL IMAGE 1 R. Jones . 2 7- KHAMSEEN 11 52 P. Den Hertog 3 Others in finishing order: 8-8 Drastic Dude, 1-1 Commander In Chief, 2-3 Waikeeper, 5-5 Flying Cadiz, 9-10 Golden Symphony, 4-4 Nightfox, 10-9 Rothbury Lass, 6-6 Compass Rose, 13-13 Master Coober, 11-12 Sweet Fox, 14-14 Crotchet. Nk, li/ 4 len, 11/4 len. Time: 2:04.87. Win: $44.55. Places: $9.25, $1.85; $4.60. Quinella: $87.35. Trifecta: $6268.85. RANFURLY MAIDEN $6000: 1200 m. 12-10 FEMINIST 10 50.5 W. Arnold 1 8- BOW BELLS 9 G. Cooksley 2 1-2 HARDY 1 L. O'Sullivan 3 Others in finishing order: 4-3 Shivarama, 7-8 Rio Vista, 10-12 Seago, 9-7 Young Kiwi, 3-4 Mine 'n' Yours, 14-14 Salegend, 2-1 Swift Star, 13-13 Mislero, 5-5 Tall and Short, 11-9 March Chance, 6-6 Little Chapel. Len, short nk, hd. Time: 1:10.83. Win: $23.20. Places: $5.05, $5.10, $2.20. Quinella: $149.40. Trifecta: $3459.70.