Racing: Successful association renewed today at Omakau

Hawkes Bay apprentice Daniel Bothamley renews a successful association with the stable of John and Karen Parsons when he rides Portofino Bay in the open sprint at Omakau in Central Otago today.

Bothamley rode for the Parsons' stable at the New Zealand Cup meeting at Christchurch in November. He won a premier quality 1800m race on King Luskin, his only mount on New Zealand Cup day at Riccarton.

Bothamley, who has ridden 21 winners, can claim a 3kg apprentice allowance off Portofino Bay's topweight of 57kg.

Portofino Bay was runner-up to After Six over 1400m at Kurow last Thursday, two days after finishing second to stablemate Coup Morgan in the Timaru Cup (1600m).

Coup Ray, a winner of 1250m at Waikouaiti last Saturday, will have the benefit of a 3kg claim with Laura Parker retaining the mount.

Bothamley will also ride Warrior Prince and Fairer Play for the Parsons' stable.

Fairer Play is stepping up to 2000m after finishing third in a 1600m maiden at Kurow. Warrior Prince is opposing Ticklish, a Telegraph Handicap nominee, in a progressive grade 1100m. Ticklish has won three of her four starts this season. She has done her racing at Riccarton and won over 1000m in time of 56.95 seconds at her last start.

Bothamley will claim an allowance for Scratch 'N' Win in the Clare Memorial Cup, the feature race. The race was inadvertently listed with apprentice allowances in the official programme but stipendiary steward John Hunter said that because withdrawals had been made allowances for the race would stand.

- NZPA