Game win by Otago youngster

Press, 10 April 1979, Page 15

Game win by Otago youngster

By

J. J. BOYLE

Owhata Son showed plucky qualities to wear down the win favourite, Scotch Mist, and snatch victory by a head in the Femside Nursery Handicap at the North Canterbury Racing Club’s meeting yesterday. His win embellished the record of a highly successful family that came "up with the great staying mare, Princess Mellay. John Dowling, who trains the Bally Royal gelding at Wingatui, and races him in partnership with Messrs Arthur and Robert Morris, of

Port Chalmers, knows the family well: he rode Princess Mellay in some of her major successes including one of her two New Zealand Cups. Dowling said yesterday that Owhata Son is unlikely to race again this season. “He needs time,” Dowling said.

Owhata Son is the first foal of the Astra mare, Lady Deborah, winner of three races, one of them at the expense of the well-per-formed Hazlett-owned Tourie.

Owhata Son was ridden yesterday by the Wingatui apprentice. Charlie Brough. He secured the mount when

the Riccarton jockey, Graeme Mein, failed to make the weight. Scotch Mist came out of the race with fair credit after attempting to do it all in front under 60kg.

He was announced as an unlikely starter early last week, but his trainer, Ray Harris, decided on a start after the chestnut galloped on Saturday. Aegean Sea, the place favourite, closed strongly for a good third behind Owhata Son and Scotch Mist yesterday— a run that will assure her of a big following in her Easter engagements at Riccarton.