Swiss Alps phenomenal........

Swiss Alps staged a phenomenal effort to  win the 2yr-old race at Oamaru on Sunday(08/06/2014) for the White Robe Lodge stable. Swiss Alps, having his first start was  slow away over the 1230m and tailed off early.  He was still 10 lengths from the lead at the 400m but sprouted wings to win by a long neck on a heavy track.  The big chestnut gelding  by Swiss Ace - Multicultural, is raced by long time WR clients Ian and Sue Nichol, Ray and Alison Kean.  Ian bought Swiss Alps  on type for $35,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale at Karaka in November when the youngster was offered by Westbury Stud.  Ian has proved an astute buyer through the sale ring with his purchases at the South Island sale and  subsequently trained  at White Robe by Brian and Shane Anderton.  The Nichols raced All Chance, winner of the 1998 Timaru Cup and seven other races.  One Chance won them 11 races including the 1999 Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton and a Prime Minister's Hurdles at Ellerslie, Nicholman won seven.  All Chance and One Chance were both by Random Chance.  Nicholman was out of a mare by the former WR sire.

The Keans  and Nichols have raced Real Chance (seven wins), Southern Time (four), Buddy Budweiser (three) and Jimmytoshoes (one).

Swiss Alps was returned to the Nichols property the next day for a spell.

Stable apprentice Courtney Barnes, who rode Swiss Alps, partnered Additup to an eight and a half length win in the Waimate Cup, the next race on the programme.

Harry Hill completed his  qualifying ticket for hurdles races when schooled by Shane at Wingatui on Friday.  The Danzighill gelding followed up with a close second after making the pace over 2200m at Oamaru.  Shane  said he would decide if he would start Harry Hill over hurdles at the Timaru meeting this Friday after assessing his condition.   Shane is viewing a start for High Forty in the steeplechase on Friday.  High Forty was being  hailed as the winner of the Otago Hurdles on June 1 when he dropped his rider Alan Browne at the last fence.  High Forty won a steeple at Washdyke last winter.