Amberley win for Johnson

Press, 18 February 1989, Page 31

Amberley win for Johnson

By

DAVID McCARTHY

Chris Johnson flies out to Brisbane this morning for six riding engagements at the Gold Coast today in top winning form. The Riccarton horseman turned Mitchell Sage’s Amberley Cup win yesterday into a showcase of his skills, added to a timely slice of luck at the home turn. Until then Mitchell Sage, a warm favourite, looked well boxed in on the rails in midfield with seemingly little hope of a run along the fence. Johnson took the chance there would be and picked up three lengths in no time at all on the turn as the pacemaker, Kuz, and Shamano moved off the fence in front of him. Mitchell Sage soon reached the front and held out a bold bid from Alberjon, which was always handy, and Kuz which hung on gamely.

It was Johnson’s fourteenth win since he

resumed riding last month after a six-month suspension incurred on a previous trip to Brisbane. He rides today for the Gold Coast trainers, Jim Griffiths and Bevan Laming, and returns to Christchurch on Monday.

Johnson had ridden Mitchell Sage only once before yesterday, when he ran second in a four-year-old race at Kurow last season. He won the Amberley Cup six years ago on Paddy Speed shortly after transferring from the north.

Mitchell Sage’s dam, Blue Sage, also had tasted success on the Rangiora track winning the North Canterbury Cup in 1981 in the hands of Michael Mein.

Mitchell Sage is raced by Scott and Doug Grey, who also raced his dam, and is held in high regard by Peter Williams, who trains him in partnership with his wife, Dawn. The Williams stable has adapted quickly to the

new quarters recently established near Ashburton and has produced 19 winners this seasonn so far.

Williams is looking at the Air New Zealand Classic formerly the Easter Classic at Riccarton next month with the Palatable gelding. The Grey’s lost a highly promising younger brother to Mitchell Sage, Mathew Sage, last year but the mare has a State Of Kings filly and a Beechcraft foal. Alberjon raced keenly and stuck on well for his placing, while most of the others battled. Palastone made some ground for fourth but not in a manner which suggested he could have finished closer and Silver Ribot failed to see out the 2000 m running fifth. Tirana dropped away from midfield feeling the firm ground. Glukus surprises

Glukus, a highly-prom-ising type in the spring, but off the racing scene

since November, caused a mild surprise by winning the second leg, the Stevens Handicap, and perhaps just not to betters.

His veteran trainer, Joe Shaw, who ratees the Licorice Stick chestnut highly, was not on hand for the race which gave stable apprentice, Keith Kenyon, his fourth winner in recent weeks.

Glukus led throughout and just lasted from a solidly-finishing Matamua which lost his place down the back and made up a big stretch of ground.

Mistella ran on well for third with Biko, always handy, fading to fourth in his third race in a week.

Glukus won three races on end in the spring before being put aside after the New Zealand Cup meeting. He is set to travel to Westport next week-end and looks capable of making a real mark on Canterbury autumn racing.