Waikato race considered for Canterbury Belle

Press, 29 January 1986, Page 40

Waikato race considered for Canterbury Belle

By

J. J. BOYLE

Canterbury Belle’s leadup programme to the $140,000 Air New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie on February 22 might now include one of the feature weight-for-age races on the second day of the Waikato meeting 11 days earlier.

Canterbury Belle, the big attraction on the programme for the first day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting bn Saturday, will miss the Otago Racing Club’s White Robe Lodge Handicap on February 15 if her connections proceed with plans to race her at Te Rapa. An earlier departure for the North Island could be considered preferable to a rushed trip after the $22,000 White Robe Lodge Handicap — even without regard for the richer opportunities on the Waikato programme. The programme for the second

day of the Waikato Racing Club’s International meeting on February 11 contains two valuable weight-for-age races — the $55,000 Cambridge Stud International Stakes, 2000 m, and the $65,000 Lion Brown Sprint, 1400 m.

“A start at Waikato has a lot going for it when there’s a choice between 1400 metres and 2000 metres, but both weight-for-age races,” Canterbury Belle’s Riccarton trainer, Dave Kerr, said yesterday. If Canterbury Belle is embarked on an autumn campaign in Sydney she might have The Thief as a travelling companion. The Thief, a three-year-old filly by Brigand, failed to get a start in the New Zealand Oaks on Monday of last week, but confirmed earlier impressions about her staying potential in winning the Pinehaven Handicap

(2000 m on the final day of the Wellington Cup meeting. Grant Cooksley won on The Thief at Trentham, and will continue his association with the Kerr stable when he comes south to ride Canterbury Belle on Saturday. Canterbury Belle captured much of the attention in the training at Riccarton yesterday. She sprinted 1400 m wide out on the course proper in 1:29.6, the last 600 m in 39.85. Ariage and Dash O Dublin were given the same assignment a few minutes later, and they took 1:32 for their 1400 m and 50.2 s for the final 800 m.

Reingard was paired with Waltaki Lass for 1000 m, run in 1:5, the last 800 m in 52.25.

Reingard, winner of the Canberra Cup in the spring, was eased in training when his blood count

dropped but will resume on the second day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s summer meeting.

Pokare did well to sprint 800 m in 50.25, the last 600 m in 37.55. Blovinski, one of the stars of the West Coast holiday circuit, sprinted 800nr with a stablemate, Zara’s Star, in 52.65. Roman Knight, Chris Johnson’s mount in the Racecourse Hill Handicap on Saturday, performed well to record 50.6 s for his 800 m.

Elope and Mr Magoo, three-year-olds from the Kerr team with engagements at the C.J.C. meeting, sprinted from the 800 m in 51.85, the last 600 m in 38.25.

Dainty Dish sprinted 800 m in 50.85, the final 600 m in 38s. She appears to have thrived since her third behind In the Glen and Canterbury Belle in the Timaru Cup.