Racing: Tribute to CD legend

One of New Zealand racing's most colourful personalities will be recognised for his contribution to the industry at the Woodville-Pahiatua Cup meeting today.

Eric Ropiha was among several prominent trainers who put the Woodville training centre on the map.

Even though he is over 80, Ropiha is still an active person and fills his days handling a couple of equestrian horses - another field in which he excelled.

Ropiha produced a host of top-class gallopers over more than three decades.

He went within a whisker of winning the centenary Melbourne Cup with Caulfield Cup winner Ilumquh, and he turned Fans from a modest performer into a Melbourne Cup placegetter.

He had the ability to turn other horses with little form into cup-winning horses.

During the late 50s and 60s Ropiha was a frequent visitor to Auckland, particularly during the summer, and enjoyed some measure of success.

In 1964 he won the Newmarket-Railway Handicap double at Ellerslie with Baraboo.

He prides himself with the fact he trained for two Governors-General - Sir Willoughby Norrie and Sir Bernard Fergusson.

For Sir Willoughby, Ropiha trained Cardigan, who was narrowly defeated by Sombrero in a Wellington Cup.

Ropiha also had a lot of success with the stock of Pakistan II, who gave Palmerston North's Fairdale Stud the kick-start to a breeding dynasty.

For Fairdale and its proprietor Arthur Fell, Ropiha trained some outstanding gallopers, such as Ajasco, Silver Liner and Harp.

The presentation to Ropiha at the Woodville meeting today will be made by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Allan Fenwick, after race seven.

Rough Legend, who won three successive Woodville-Pahiatua Cups in the mid-1990s, will be back to lead out today's cup field.

His owner-trainer Barry Krebs says the gelding is in great order.

He will be ridden in a preliminary by former Wanganui jockey Catherine Wilson, who rode the horse in the second of his cup wins.

Rough Legend will be leading out only six runners for this year's $20,000 Woodville-Pahiatua Cup, which looks a clash between group one winning stayer Greene Street and up-and-comer Boycott.

Greene Street showed pace to lead in the Higgins Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni a few weeks ago when resuming from a spell.

His condition gave out in the home straight, but he would have taken great benefit from the outing.

Boycott was impressive returning to his best form in the Summer Cup (1600m) at Awapuni on Boxing Day and this looks ready made for the back-runner, who will be ridden by Darryl Bradley .

- NZPA