TRACK WORK AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25085, 17 January 1947, Page 4

TRACK WORK AT TRENTHAM

GOLDEN SOUVENIR’S GOOD TRIAL “ The Press ” Special Service WELLINGTON, January 16. Sleepy Fox, King Tissa, Opulent, Lord Elgin, Desert Fox, Golden Souvenir and Signal Officer took the honours over the respective distances from three furlongs to a mile in the trials at Trentham today for Saturday’s racing. A drying wind on Wednesday and a sultry day to-day has dried out the track, and if the fine weather holds the going will be firm and fast for Cup day. The good times registered to-day revealed the rapid improvement the course proper has made since Tuesday. The main interest was taken In the activities of the Wellington Cup candidates. The first two to appear were Bruce and Thornbridge, who ran a mile in Imln 44 2-ssec, the last three furlongs in 38sec. Bruce had a little in reserve at the post,- and worked better than his companion. Foxhaven again worked soundly to beat Catterick Bridge by four lengths at the end of seven furlongs in lmin 30 l-ssec, the last half-mile in 51 l-ssec. Foxhaven has shown steady improvement in his work since reaching Trentham, and should run well in the Cup. Catterick Bridge looks a good deal brighter than he did when he arrived, arid is a fit horse. Hot Pursuit, Indian Gold, and Capronella were partnered over a round of the course. They increased the pace as they reached the mile, and ran down to ‘the half-mile in 54 l-ssec. They ran the second half in 52 2-ssec, making lmin 46 3-ssec for the mile. Hot Pursuit drew out near home to win the trial by two lengths from Indian Gold, who was under a * nice hold. Capronella was half a length away. The best mile of the morning was credited to the Cup top-weight. Golden Souvenir, who narrowly shaded Signal Officer, with Longsword almost in line, in lmin 43sec. They ran the first halfmile in 53 l-ssec, and the second in 49 4-ssec. They were together practically throughout. Signal Officer, who had the outside running, again worked soundly and was under a hold on the post. Young Trent ran an easy six furlongs in lmin 21 2-ssec. Carter will ride him in the Cup, which, means that a new rider will have to be found for Dink’s Own.

The Northern visitor st Foxwyn and Swift Quarry were on the tracks and were restricted to pace work. W. Caddy will ride Swift Quarry in the Cup, and R. B. Ireland has the • mount on Foxwyn. Both horses look in good order. The Auckland sprinter, Sleepy Fox, who is top-weight in the Telegraph Handicap, with lOst 121 b, set the main for short work when he skipped over three furlongs in 34 4-ssec. In spite of his huge impost he seems certain to run prominently on Saturday. The best effort over half-a-mile was returned by the imported Colombo horse, King Tissa. who ran 47 4-ssec with Blue Bonny. The grey made the pace, but was tiring near the post and King Tissa, under a good hold over the last 50 yards, comfortably had his measure. King Tissa is a bold galloper who has made rapid progress lately. •Opulent and Theocritus returned the best figures for five furlongs when they finished well clear of' Da Vinci in lmin 2 l-ssec, the last three furlongs in 36 3-ssec. Opulent finished solidly to beat Theocritus by a neck, with Da Vinci some lengths away. Privilege gained friends for her engagement in the Desert Gold Stakes when she returned lmin 15 3-ssec for six furlongs with Lord Elgin, the last half-mile in 50sec. Lord Elgin hit out well. Desert Fox. always a good galloper, drew attention to his prospects in Saturday’s high-weight race, when he drew away from Devonogue at the end of seven furlongs run in lmin 28 4-ssec. They ran the first three furlongs very fast, and Desert Fox ran on strongly to win the trial by several lengths. ASHHURST-POHANGINA CLUB DIVISIONS ANNOUNCED (P.A.) PALMERSTON N„ Jan. 16. Divisions for the Novice Stakes at the Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club’s annual meeting have been announced as follows: First division: Arctic Circle, Audacious, Beaulitha, Bonifort, Clandestine, Cooperate, Find Out, Glebefield, Lackamoor, Matara, Plato Boy, Red Foil, Sport, Terete, West Meath. Second division: Aristea, Aurora’s Song, Beguile, Cinereous, Clare Castle, Ecstasy, Flying Faye, In Print, Lord Leo, Nighthena, Pram, Sabulum, Surf Girl, Vaincre. ■ Brackets are: Nighthena and Plato Boy; Pram and Red Foil; Sabulum and Sport; Surf Girl and Terete; Vaincre and West Meath. Canterbury Jockey Club Entries Forfeits for the Middle Park Plate, and entries for all other events at the Summer Meeting to bp held at Riccarton on Saturday, February Ist, will close at 5 p.m. to-day. —Advfi.