VETERAN GAY CREST

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 119, 13 February 1935, Page 15

VETERAN GAY CREST

Regular Worker at Riccarton POSITION OF MINERVAL Dominion Special Service. Christchitrch, February 12. Minerval will not be racing at the Dunedin meeting. He did not suffer any ill effects from his race in the Midsummer Handicap, but on his form in that race, as compared with Cuddle, he could not have much chance of beating her in the Dunedin Cup. He received 131 b. from her on Saturday, and she had him well beaten half a mile from home, while he would have had to meet her on the same terms again at 'Wingatui. Minerval appears to be sound again, and his owner-trainer may get his reward for his patience later in the season. Chokebore Stable. The Chokebore stable was represented by Knock Out, Bun Fight, and Back Thrust in the acceptances for the first day at Dunedin, but following on their disappointing form on Saturday the trip with them was abandoned. J. S. Shaw had Riptide, Gas Mask, and Maroha engaged, but took only the first named. Maroha ran badly on Saturday. and Gas Mask suffered in the scramble which took place early in the run home in the Trial Handicap. Fair 'Weather will also be an absentee. Veteran Gay Crest. An interesting regular worker at Riccarton at present is _ the veteran Gay Crest, who is being given easy exercise on the plough daily with a view to ascertaining whether lie will stand up to another preparation. When he was retired from racing two seasons back he had severe tendon trouble; also one of bis front joints was giving serious trouble, and any hope of ever racing him again was then practically abandoned. However, he has since done duty as a hack, and his legs have cleaned up to such a degree that at the present time he looks to be thoroughly sound, while, he is in such good condition that very little work will bo required of him to get him back to racing order. Not Taking Any Risks.

Everything, of course, is conditional on his old leg troubles not coming against him again. His trainer does not intend to take any risks of breaking him down, and at (he first sign of any recurrence he will not go on with him. Gay Crest is now ten -years old, but does not look half that age,' and the manner in which he gets through his daily task would suggest that there are still some good races in him. provided he can get the necessary preparation. Any further successes for Gay Crest would no doubt bo heard of with no little interest by the Duke of Gloucester, es an opinion expressed by him after riding him in a gallop during his visit to Riccarton on'January 21 that Gay Crest should be racing no doubt prompted his owner to give him another trial.