RACING: Ian Bishop now kicking big goals on the racetrack

John Jenkins
Ian Bishop, a Hawke's Bay rugby legend of the 1960's and 70's is now scoring big time on the racetrack.
Bishop, now living in Hawera, is a shareholder in Heineken Bay who was a brilliant winner at Saturday's Manawatu meeting at Awapuni.
The Pins gelding made his race debut in the $27,500 New Zealand Bloodstock Juvenile (1000m) and scored a decisive 1-1/2 length victory.
Bishop shares in the ownership of Heineken Bay with the horse's Waverley trainer Kevin Gray, the New Plymouth pair of Howard Forbes and Rod Pulford and Wellington's Paul Jacobson.
Besides the $17,200 first prizemoney from the race, the partners also share in a $15,000 New Zealand Thoroughbred bonus that was attached to the event.
Bishop was one of the heroes of the famous Hawke's Bay Ranfurly Shield era of the 1960s.
A prolific goal kicker, he scored 631 points in his 96 first class games for the Bay from 1963 to 1972.
It was a record points tally for the province that stood until Jarrod Cunningham surpassed it in 1995.
Bishop played in 22 Ranfurly Shield games for Hawke's Bay, amassing 178 points from 33 penalties, 38 conversions and one drop goal. That too was a record that stood for many years until Auckland's point-scoring machine, Grant Fox, came along.
He said on Saturday that he still has fond memories of the days he turned out on McLean Park in Napier and the great comradeship he was associated with.
"But that was many years ago," Bishop said, who still looks fit enough to take the field, albeit in probably a "golden oldies" match.
Always a keen follower of thoroughbred racing, Bishop not only part-owns Heineken Bay but also co-bred the two-year-old.
He was a member of the original syndicate that raced the horse's dam, Libra Bay, from the Gray stable.
Libra Bay, by Kreisler, was the winner of four races and held the 1200m track record at Woodville for a time.
Besides Heineken Bay, Libra Bay has also left the winners Beatle Bay and Sarah Little, both of whom Bishop shared in.
Beatle Bay, by Volksraad, was the winner of three races in New Zealand before he was sold to Macau for a six-figure sum. He went on to win again there before dying from a mysterious feed poisoning.
Sarah Little, also by Volksraad, has won four races and was an unlucky last-start third over 1300m at Otaki on Levin Classic day.
Bishop and his partners also bred an O'Reilly colt out of Libra Bay that they had high hopes for. But the horse unfortunately broke a leg as a youngster and had to be put down.
Libra Bay now has a foal at foot by Golan and is in-foal to Don Eduardo.
Kevin Gray holds Heineken Bay in high regard and has big plans for the horse next year, providing he is not sold in the meantime.
"He's on the market, just like most of the horses I've got," Gray said.
"He's a pretty smart horse and has always shown me a lot," he added.
Heineken Bay had to be good to win at Awapuni on Saturday as he was not that happy in the very soft track conditions and sat outside the pacemaker and favourite Mi Jubilee throughout the race.
The two horses fought a a neck and neck tussle all the way up the home straight before Heineken Bay surged ahead just short of the line.
Mi Jubilee was chasing her third win on end, after two outstanding victories at Otaki last month, and was game in defeat.
She was all at sea on the wet track and had to lump 57kg compared to Heineken Bay's 52.5kg.
* Racegoers at the Hawke's Bay New Year's day meeting will be able to view all the action on a giant infield television screen.
The screen, which was also used for the Kelt Capital Stakes raceday in October, will be erected in front of the main grandstands.
Everyone, whether picnicking in the car park or enjoying the comfort of the stands, will be able to take in the action in vibrant living colour.
The television coverage is not exclusive to racing at Hawke's Bay and will also take in all the glamour and excitement from Auckland Cup day at Ellerslie as well as racing from Waikouaiti and Australia.
Other highlights at the Hawke's Bay New Year's family raceday include a chance to win a night of luxury accomodation for two on the Bluewater Hotel's Gallileo launch in the best hat competition, a chance to win $1000 bracelet from Michael Hill Jewellers from a lucky numbered racebook draw and plenty of free entertainment for children.
There will also be a "Betmobile" travelling around the public area where people can place a bet without even going to the normal totalisator.
Admission to the raceday is $10 for adults, with children under 15 free.
Discounted raceday packages are available, prior to raceday, from the Administration Office of Hawke's Bay Racing for $25 and includes course admission, a members stand pass and a racebook.
Entrance for parking is off Market Street or, if you wish to park on the infield, off Southland Road.
Gates open at 9am on the day for those wishing to reserve the best spots, with the first race timed for 12.25pm.