CUP CANDIDATES’ GOOD TRIAL

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25083, 15 January 1947, Page 4

CUP CANDIDATES’ GOOD TRIAL

GOLDEN SOUVENIR IMPRESSES

YESTERDAY’S TRACK WORK AT TRENTHAM “The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, January 14. A sound gallop over a mile by the Wellington Cup candidates. Golden Souvenir, Signal Officer, Longsword, and Hot Pursuit, was the feature of an otherwise dull morning at Trentham to-day. Among others who worked well were Foxhaven, Bruce, Privilege, and Catterick Bridge, over seven furlongs. The best time by the sprinters was returned by Blue Bonny, which ran a smart. halfmile.

The weather was overcast, and tfeere was a threat of rain throughout the work, but it cleared later in the morning. Most of the fast work was performed on the course proper, which was in good order, though not fast.

The four Cup candidates jumped away from the mile and a-quarter post; but the pace was so slow that H. E. Gray took Hot Pursuit to the front at the mile, and he leek down to the half-mile in 54 l-ssec. Golden Souvenir, Longsword, and Signal Officer closed on Hot Pursuit soon after turning for home, and they ran the last four furlongs in 50 4-ssec, making Imin 45sec for the mile. Golden Souvenir held a slight advantage at the finish from Signal Officer, with Longsword practically level, and Hot Pursuit less than a length away. Golden Souvenir worked soundly. Signal Officer was under a nice hold over the final furlong. He had the outside running, and his work was a little more impressive than that of the others. Longsword put plenty of dash into his finish, but Hot Pursuit did not impress. Ellis stated that final plans had not been made about riders for his two Cup horses, but he thought that Broughton would be on Bruce and Wilson on Golden Souvenir.

Foxhaven, with the inside running was going better than Bruce and Privilege at the completion of seven furlongs in Imin 29 4-ssec, the last half-mile in 50 2-ssec. Foxhaven ran a fair race in the Dominion Handicap, and has derived improvement from it. Bruce was not galloping as freely as usual at the end of his task; but as he raced on Saturday, he was not intended to have a hard trial. Privilege, which is in solid order, had the r outside running, and worked pleasingly;. She will be one of the best supported candidates for-the Desert Gold Stakes this week.

Two more Cup horses, Catterick Bridge and Thornbridge, went together over a mile. They ran the first half easily in 55sec, and came home the second half in 52sec, making Imin 47sec for the full distance. Catterick Bridge worked with more dash than in any previous trials since his arrival at Trentham, and had half a length in his favour at the post. J. McFarlane will ride him in the Wellington Cup, and H. N.Wiggins will be on Thornbridge. Al-Sirat, working alone, covered seven furlongs in Imin 30 l-ssec, the last halfmile in 50 2-ssec. King Tissa galloped boldly when returning 49sec for half a mile.

Rahine was given an easy six furlongs, the last half-mile taking 54sec. She is in good order for her engagement in the Desert Gold Stakes, in which she should have good prospects if she reproduces her Stonyhurst Handicap form. Bridge Acre was sent a mile by herself. She ran the first half in 55 l-ssec and the second half in 53sec, making Imin 48 l-ssec for the full distance.

Faultina, which is engaged in the Fitzherbert Handicap for two-year-old fillies, finished strongly to beat Distinction over half a mile in 49sec. Faultina is a Defaulter filly, and finished third in her last start at Stratford on January 4.

Kartikeya, which, is showing improvement on the trip, ran a smart three furlongs in 36 2-ssec. His stablemate, Diameter, ran an easy half-mile in 53sec. Judged on his solid finishing run to reach third place in the Halswell Handicap, Diameter should have good prospects when tried over longer distances. General Menteith finished on too well for Master Baron and Lord Theio over half a mile in 49 l-ssec, drawing out to win the trial by three lengths. Lord Elgin ran a half-mile in 52 2-ssec, and Armont and Battle Chief took 53sec. On the trial grass. Blue Bonny ran the best half-mile of the morning when he returned 48sec. He has a fine turn of speed, but does not run his races out solidly. Principal • Defections Of the non-acceptors for the Wellington Cup, Bridge Acre Is the most important defection among the Riccarton candidates. She is engaged in the principal handicaps on the later days, both being of one mile and a half. The most important defection among the northern candidates is Saludos, which finished third to Golden Souvenir and Langue o’Or last year. Saludos won the Manawatu Cup at his last start, but apparently he has been under a cloud since then. After his success in the Manawatu Cup. he loked a distinct possibility for this year’s race. Fresh Acceptors Riccarton horses which did not race at Trentham last Saturday are acceptors for the second day on Saturday. They are Privilege Tomahawk, Hart Royal, Fort Silver, Sea Flower, Golden Souvenir, Thornbridge, Pandemonium, Grande Melee, Whitley, Montezuma, and Leigh Barton. Wingatui Pair for Trentham

A. E. Didham was at Riccarton yesterday morning with John Gay and Amorlad, and left last night for Trentham. John Gay is engaged in the Telegraph Handicap on Saturday. Amorlad’s first engagement is in the Mungaroa Hurdle Handicap on the third day.

Raced Poorly Catterick Bridge made a poor showing in the Dominion Handicap at Trentham last Saturday, and it was not the performance of a New Zealand’ Cup winner. He was never in a challenging position, and at the finish had only Lady Chips behind him. To have a chance in the Wellington Cup next Saturday he will have to show considerable improvement. A Slow Beginning Bittersweet was unlucky not to win the County Hack Handicap at Reefton, her last start in hack company. She was slow away from the barrier, but made up her ground smartly. Though she challenged Early Night strongly over the last 100 yards, Early Night finished too well, and she was unable to head him off. Bittersweet does not always produce her best in a race, and may find it hard to pay her W’ay in open company. May be Useful

Judging by the manner in which Sitology won the Novice Stakes at Reefton last Saturday, the Te Aroha trainer, M. Conza,' may have a useful successor to the gelding’s dam, Skyrena, a hardy mare which won a large number of races on the West Coast. A speedy three-year-old gelding by Eeighon, Sitology gave nothing else a chance once he settled down. Favourites Successful

Trentham, often designated “the punters’ graveyard,” hardly lived up to its reputation on Saturday. Four favourites were- successful, and the biggest dividend of the day was that of Castlebrae, the winner of the Muritai Handicap, which paid just over double figures. Revolte paid double figures, for a place. Answers to Correspondents ’

Sammy (Ashburton).—(l) Iron Duke was scratched - for the Halswell Handicap at 3.10 p.m. on Monday, January 6, and Tomahawk was scratched for the same race at 10.35 a.m. on Thursday, January 9. Details of both scratchings were printed the next day. King Tissa was rehandicapped 111 b to 8-4 in the Halswell Handicap for his win in the Toko Handicap at Stratford on January 4. The list of the fields published on January 11 included all rehandicaps declared. “M.J.M.,” , Timaru.—The starter acted within his powers as laid down in the Rules of Racing, and in such a case the starter’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.