The Star: August 03, 2017

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36 Thursday August 3 2017 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Sport Value Cars www.valuecarswarehouse.co.nz 32 Moorhouse Ave | 03 366 7768 The Star The biggest range of vehicles in one location Magic Man takes premiership in his stride IN THE quiet and unassuming manner that he brings to his daily life, this season’s national premiership winning jockey Chris Johnson is relatively matter of fact about what he has achieved in the past 12 months. It is Canterbury-based Johnson’s second premiership after first topping the ladder in the 1995-96 season. While Johnson’s tally of 112 winners for the season fell short of the 139 he notched up in his first title 21 years earlier, for the 53-year-old, the season represented an opportunity to continue doing the job he loves, an endeavour which first started back in 1980 and has seen him amass more than 2200 winners. “I’ve always loved racing, although when I first started riding I never thought I’d get to 1000 wins, let alone more than 2000,” he said. “I have had some ups and downs along the way, but I’ve had the opportunity to ride some tremendous horses and have been lucky enough to win a number of big races.” One of a small band of seven riders who have reached the 2000-win milestone in New Zealand, Johnson has been fortunate enough to count top gallopers such as Tartan Tights, Loader and Tycoon Lil among his list of standout performers. Pressed to nominate his most memorable career milestone, he says his victory aboard Sea Swift in the 1988 Auckland Cup. “I think that win on Sea Swift MAGIC MAN: Chris Johnson has taken out his second national jockey’s premiership title with 112 wins during the 2016-17 season. PHOTO: TRISH DUNELL was something quite special,” he said. “It was a real South Island victory at racing headquarters in the north so it does stand out a bit for me.” While he is quick to admit he has had several low periods throughout his career, even giving the game away for an extended stint between 1999 and 2006, Johnson credits some misfortune late last year as the motivation to achieve his second premiership title. “I’d started the season off pretty well and things were going okay when I copped a decent suspension around Christmas time,” he said. “I hadn’t really come out and confirmed I was thinking about the premiership at that point, but when that happened, I thought I might have really stuffed things up.” Semi-retired barrister John Tannahill, a long-time friend who also manages Johnson’s North Island rides, admits he too thought the worst when an initial six-day suspension was extended by a further four days after an improper riding charge was reinstated following a special hearing by the Judicial Control Authority. “Based on the rides Chris had booked or in the pipeline, I think he missed out on 11 winners due to the suspension,” Tannahill said. It was also around that time that leading trainers, such as Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, announced they would be supporting Johnson in his bid for the title as he attempted to gun down the runaway leader at the time, Danielle Johnson. “I think when he rode Let Her Rip to victory in the stakes race at Rotorua, it was then we both thought he could do it and, after some pretty hard slog, he has,” Tannahill said. “Personally, I think he is riding better than ever with his fitness level the best it has been in many years and pretty damn good for a 53-year-old.” – NZ Racing Desk Keas battle Tigers for place in grand-final • By Gordon Findlater THE LINWOOD Keas will need to bounce back against the Papanui Tigers on Saturday if they are to stay in the hunt for consecutive Canterbury Rugby League premiership titles. The Keas preliminary final match-up against the Tigers won’t be a walk in the park. The Tigers were too strong for the Celebration Lions in their minor semi-final winning 32-24 at the weekend. The Tigers also defeated the Keas 20-14 in the 2015 grand-final. However, the Keas are yet to concede a point at the hands of the Tigers this season. In their two round-robin meetings, the Keas won 13-0 and 26-0. “We definitely learnt a bit from (the Tigers) throughout the season, but I’m expecting them to be up for this one,” said Keas coach Andrew Auimatagi. “We can’t take too much out of those two wins against them.” The Keas were outdone by the Hornby Panthers 14-22 at the weekend in DEFENDING CHAMPS: The Linwood Keas will need to get past the Papanui Tigers on Saturday if they are to advance to their third straight premiership grand-final. PHOTO: BJ RAKENA their major semi-final at Murphy Park. However, they get a second chance to qualify for the grand-final in Saturday’s match. The Panthers have advanced directly to the grand-final. The Panthers are confident the extra week off can help them win their first Pat Smith Trophy since 2013. “It’s definitely a benefit for us. Last year we had to play the extra game and it took a lot of our energy,” said Panthers coach Jed Lawrie. “We’ll have a good training run on Saturday and then get along and have a look at the Papanui v Linwood game.” Saturday’s preliminary final kicks off at Murphy Park, Kaiapoi, at 2.45pm. Next weekend’s grandfinal is likely to be played at Denton Oval.
The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday August 3 2017 37 Sport Kearney relationship crucial to Warriors Blair bid • By Michael Burgess ADAM BLAIR admits that, if he leaves the Broncos, the Warriors are a likely destination, due to his close ties with coach Stephen Kearney. The current Kiwis captain is on contract at Brisbane until the end of next season. But ongoing salary-cap pressures at the Broncos may yet force him out and persistent speculation has linked him with the Warriors. Blair has a close relationship with Kearney, which may prove to be the pivotal factor. He played under Kearney for the vast majority of his 41 tests with the national team, as well as five years at the Storm, during Kearney’s tenure as assistant coach in Melbourne. “I’m really close to ‘Mooks’ [Kearney] and I know what he stands for. He was someone I looked up to when I watched league. When I first did preseasons at the Storm, he was like a father figure,” Blair said. Blair worked with Kearney for five years in Melbourne before the pair were reunited for three seasons at the Broncos. “I’ve bonded with Stephen really closely throughout my career – at the Storm, New Zealand and again with the healthy change can start with you @healthyfamilieschristchurch Broncos,” said Blair. “If I was going to go anywhere, I’d rather go somewhere where I know it is going to be a real professional club, similar to the Broncos, similar to the Storm . . . somewhere where they set high standards for the players and are honest with their players.” Blair added it was going to be a difficult call. “It’s tough,” he said. “I’m really happy where I am and so is my family. “I know there is interest from back home and it is going to be a hard decision, whatever I do.” Blair has played 258 NRL games since his debut in round four of the 2006 season. This season, he has averaged 50 minutes, nine carries and 77 running metres per game. He has also recorded 22 tackles per match. –NZ Herald • TOOLS • AIR TOOLS • ALLOY JACKS • BATTERIES • OIL & MUCH MORE! OPEN TUES-FRI 9AM - 4.30PM 129 NORTH AVON RD, CHRISTCHURCH www.woodfordglen.co.nz Andy Carr Austin Motor Group Eels Rabbitohs Storm Warriors Broncos Sharks Roosters Panthers steve Lennon Bulldogs Dragons Storm Warriors Broncos Sharks Roosters Panthers Games successfully selected 2017 NRL TIPPING COMPETITION OuR ExPERT’s sELECTIONs Games successfully selected 94/152 Currently 4th Pepe Clark Andrew McCormick Ben Rogers Frank Endacott Mike Olds Wilson’s Sports Bar The Flooring Warehouse Rockcote Eels Dragons Storm Warriors Broncos Sharks Sea Eagles Panthers Eels Dragons Storm Knights Broncos Sharks Roosters Panthers Games successfully selected Currently 7th Games successfully selected Eels Dragons Storm Warriors Broncos Sharks Roosters Panthers Eels Dragons Storm Warriors Broncos Sharks Roosters Panthers Games successfully selected Currently 1st = Eels Dragons Cowboys Knights Broncos Sharks Roosters Panthers Eddie Kerrigan Woodford Glen Speedway Brandts-Giesen McCormick Nigel Thompson Motor Co. Ltd Ignite Fitness 91/152 Currently 5th= ROuND 22 (AuGusT 3 - 6) Bulldogs v Eels Dragons v Rabbitohs Cowboys v Storm Knights v Warriors Titans v Broncos Sharks v Raiders Sea Eagles v Roosters Panthers v Tigers 84/152 96/152 Currently 3rd 97/152 Games successfully selected 97/152 Currently 1st = Eels Dragons Cowboys Knights Titans Sharks Roosters Panthers Games successfully selected 82/152 Currently 8th Games successfully selected 91/152 Currently 5th= VINYL pIckS of the week 4 colours Stock 2m wide vinyl $ 29 .95 per m 47 Gasson St, Ph 353 8899 Hours: 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri www.theflooringwarehouse.co.nz WILSONS’ SPECIALS Tuesday’s + Wednesday’s: Burger + Fries $12.00 Saturday 12 – 5pm: Wilsons’ $10 Pint ‘n’ Punt Buy a pint of your favourite beer & receive a $5 TAB voucher to enjoy. All Day Everyday: 2 Big Sports Screens 18 Pokie Machines 2 Major Jackpots with NZCT Wilsons Sports Bar Steinlager PH 03 343 4141 | 25 Riccarton Rd CAR OF THE WEEK! Brandts-Giesen McCormick Barristers & Solicitors 139 Kippenberger Avenue, Rangiora Telephone: 03 313 4010 | Facsimile: 03 313 5096 Christchurch Direct Line: 03 379 1303 Email: reception@bgmlawyers.co.nz 2006 HOLDEN CREWMAN CROSS 6 3.6, auto, alloys, ABS, twin airbags $14,990 275 Colombo St, Christchurch Cnr Colombo & Milton Sts Ph: 337 9629 We belong to your community All areas of practice: Family, Property, Farming, Business Trusts, Wills, Estates, Criminal and Traffic After hours by appointment • Andrew McCormick • Anna Lloyd • Roger Brown • Quentin de Hamel • Sharon Ward • Emma Symon • Jesney Te Puke-Cowperthwaite • Carol Dunn Committed to Excellence in a Friendly Environment 2004 Audi TT 1.8 Turbo 1800cc turbo, ABS Brakes, Air Bags, Air Conditioning, Alloys, Central Locking, Electric Mirrors, Electric Windows, Fog Lights, Half Leather, Heated Seats, HID, Power Steering, Spoiler, Stereo. $10,999 519 Moorhouse Ave Ph 377 6484 | Cell 021 134 9848 www.nigelthompson.co.nz
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The Star: August 03, 2017

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