Ryan returns in style

BY JAMIE SEARLE

John Ryan made the most of his first drive for five years at Gore yesterday.

His trotter, Continentalcastleton, raced in the parked position and was untroubled to win by two lengths in the Gore Workouts Committee Trot. The four-year-old mare qualified last month and had impressed at trials and workouts.

As well as being her owner, trainer and driver, Ryan also bred Continentalcastleton from Gee Castleton. Margaret Castleton, the dam of Gee Castleton, is a half-sister to Sir Castleton (44 wins).

"I got her (Gee Castleton) off the truck going to Clover," Ryan said.

Clover Export Ltd is a horse processing company in Gore.

Ryan's previous winner, Castleton Touch, who is a half-brother to Continentalcastleton, won at Forbury Park in 2004.

Continentalcastleton is the first to race from Ryan's stable for five years.

"I've qualified a couple, sold one and the other broke down," he said.

"I only have time to work a couple –  I'd love to work more." Ryan works at Waitane Meats.

Livin It Lovin It is the latest winner for Invercargill owners Brendan and Jackie McIntyre. They paid $21,000 for the Live Or Die gelding at the Christchurch yearling sales two years ago.

He was having his first start yesterday for Ryal Bush trainer-driver Peter Hunter. Boogie Night (five wins), raced by the same trainer and owners, is turned out after injuring a leg.

Ask McArdle's win yesterday reinforced Tom Kilkelly's decision to make a late paymemt of $10,000 to start her in the Nevele R Fillies' Series. She made her winning run in the passing lane in the second heat of the Macca Lodge-Southland Oaks Series.

Tisbury owner Tom Kilkelly, who trains Ask McArdle with Tracee Sherborne, said the filly would start in Saturday's Nevele R Heat at Ascot Park.

Laughing Lilly will be nominated for the Southern Belle Speed Series Heat at Ascot Park after scoring a front-running success in the Hokonui Rural Transport Pace yesterday.

In addition to the $4850 winning stakes, the Mach Three mare won a harness plus bonus of $4000.

Burnham trainer-driver Mark Jones is uncertain whether to start Telemecanique in the Speed Series Final at Winton on March 28. She was back in the winner's circle yesterday when taking out the $18,000 Caduceus Club of Southland Four-Year-Old Stakes.

The long-term plan for Telemecanique is for her to race in the United States next season.

"She'll come back for breeding after two or three years," Jones said.

The horseman plans to start Crystal Star in Saturday's Invercargill Cup. Stablemate My Man Dan could also line up in the metric two mile event.

The Peace Rose equalled the mares' track record for 2200m (stand) in the PGG Wrightson AON Insurance Brokers Handicap. It was her first start for two years.

She held a clear lead throughout and crossed the line six and a half lengths in front of runner-up Badlands Jewel. The Peace Rose clocked 2min 48.9sec.

Noel Berkett, of Nelson, won four races with her before she joined Clark Barron's Rakauhauka stable during the summer.

Meanwhile, Tact Lizzie, who was scratched in the Insurance Brokers Handicap, has a swollen hock. Winton trainer Trevor Proctor thought she might have suffered the injury while playing in her paddock.

Unless there is improvement today, Tact Lizzie will not be nominated for the Invercargill meeting on Saturday.

- © Fairfax NZ News