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Te Teko owner-trainer Ian Shaw is not rushing to find a replacement
for his First Sovereign Trust Rotorua Cup candidate From Heaven following
the unavailability of leading jockey Lisa Cropp.
Mystery surrounds Cropp standing down from her engagements at
today�s Hawera meeting. The official line is �medical reasons� and it has
been assumed that Cropp will not be riding at Riccarton tomorrow or at
meetings over the weekend.
The first that Shaw knew of the situation was a telephone call this
afternoon from the National Racing Bureau seeking a replacement
jockey.
�As I understand it, because I have already declared a rider and
since none of what has subsequently happened is of my own doing, I am not
required to declare a replacement until scratching time (7.30) on Saturday
morning.� Shaw told ThoroughbredNEWS this evening.
�It�s all come as a bit of a shock but I�m working through
it.�
From Heaven, who is currently quoted at $15 for Saturday�s $100,000
event, was ridden in his last start win by apprentice jockey Chard Ormsby.
Understandably given the Rotorua Cup�s group three status and lack
of apprentice allowances, Shaw�s preference is for a senior jockey. At the
top of that list are Cameron Lammas and Gary Grylls, who are currently
declared for the first two emergency runners Cool Talk and Anne
Carina.
�I�d be happy with either of them or even a jockey with a ride that
might end up scratched,� said Shaw. �That�s why I�m happy to sit back and
wait for now.�
Grylls was From Heaven�s rider when he finished third in the
Wellington Cup, an effort encouraged Shaw to enter the Lord Ballina
gelding for the Brisbane Cup. Those plans were confirmed when From Heaven
returned to winning form in progressive grade company at Tauranga last
week.
�This is back to open class but I�m happy with that,� said his
owner-trainer. �He�s well in himself; the main thing I�m hoping is that he
handles the track.�
Replacements have been found for all of Cropp�s other Rotorua
engagements, most notably Gould Photographics Rotorua Stakes lightweight
Vegas Showgirl, who will now be ridden by Trudy Thornton.
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