Fearon listens in from London

MURRAY WILSON/ The Manawatu Standard

WHAT A WIN: Elblitzem and top jockey David Walsh are well clear of the opposition at the finish of the $70,000 Group 3 Merial Ancare Metric Mile at Awapuni on Saturday after leading them a merry chase throughout.

Relevant offers

Racing

Manawatu run likely Main course under-done Cuddle tilt sits high on agenda Crossword nearing peak form Stoush escalates as man is arrested Boxing Day should be winning race day Can't Keeper Down looks an improver at the trials My Astron begging for a Mudgway start Superturf poised to chalk up four wins in succession Hannam and Myers enjoy huge seasons

The victory by Pentire Lad in the Pioneer/Pilet Contracting 1200 at Awapuni on Saturday attracted considerable overseas interest.

Pentire Lad's breeder, Noel Cantwell, is holidaying in Australia, but even further afield in London was retired Palmerston businessman Mark Fearon.

The latter was on hand to see one of his horses Chinon win at Wanganui last week, but he had a phone link to Awapuni to hear Saturday's race.

Fearon is a member of the Stable Star Syndicate, managed by local man Graham Lloyd, but he also is a part-owner of Matthew Eales trained Irene, who finished eighth in the same race.

Accepting the trophy for the race was Feilding's Tony Climo, who manages the 17-strong If Only Syndicate, which share the ownership with the 12-strong Stable Star group.

In a unique occurrence, the race was run at set weights, in contrast to most rating 70 races in the central region which are handicap.

It didn't seem to matter as Pentire Lad, fresh from a five-month break, rallied strongly under Noel Harris to grab the honours off favourite Ashburn Lane right on the line.

Ashburn Lane had taken the lead 300 metres out and looked home for the money.

Marcasite, the dam of Pentire Lad, was a good performer when trained by the late Malcolm Smith.

Though she won only four races, Marcasite was nine times second, and her earnings of $50,525 were helped by a further nine minor placings.

Pentire Lad is trained by Lisa Latta, who also did well with Lyn's Girl, the first foal from Marcasite.

Latta has now taken over the breeding of Marcasite, who has a filly by Handsome Ransom, and is to be served by Falkirk.

Meanwhile, owner-trainer Tony Bambry is in great favour with Tom Fleming and his Porangahau Tuhundi Syndicate after Blueberry Hill won the John Turkington 1600.

Caroline O'Connor from the New Central Hotel won the battle for the horse auction made possible by Bambry at a function in Woodville last year.

Fleming and his syndicate joined in later, and Saturday's victory was Blueberry Hill's second after winning at Wanganui in July.

The lease was generously extended by Bambry into the new season and both syndicates are gracious for his gesture.

Ivy Darling, the dam of Blueberry Hill, has since died, but her first foal, Rough Patrick, won a host of races, both on the flat and over hurdles for Bambry and his wife, Judy.

Mr Benny Hill, who ran in Saturday's Merial Ancare Mile, has won eight races and chalked up 11 seconds to boost his prizemoney to nearly $190,000, while Sitting On A Hill is another winner left by Ivy Darling (by Ivory Hunter).

Blueberry Hill, Mr Benny Hill and Sitting On A Hill are all by City On A Hill.

- © Fairfax NZ News