TRACK WORK AT RICCARTON

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25878, 10 August 1949, Page 4

TRACK WORK AT RICCARTON

HURDLES PROVIDE MAIN INTEREST

YOUNG 808 AND BATAL GIVE GOOD DISPLAY

The hurdlers held the stage at Riccarton yesterday, with the Wingatui pair. Young Bob and Ba tai, playing the most impressive roles. After steady rain on Monday, the tracks were heavy, and deteriorated during the morning. Young Bob (B. J. Langford) and Batal (A. J. Murray) were practically on terms after jumping four hurdles. They had plenty of pace on all the way and their jumping could hardly be faulted. Batal did not make the forward showing expected of him in the Jumpers’ Flat at Riccarton last Saturday. He finished a moderate sixth. Young Bob lost his chance in the Grand National Steeplechase at Cutts’s the , first time. He dipped badly on landing and was struck by Master Meruit. Young Bob impressively won the Lambton Hurdles on tne second day of the Wellington meeting, and he will be well supported in his future appearances as a hurdler.

Jon Rosa (R. D. Samson), Dawn March (M Andrews), and Our Gold (J. R. Gillies) gave a clean display of jumping over four hurdles. Jon Rosa is in good order for the Grand National Hurdles, as he showed last Saturday when he deadheated with Grill for second in the Jumpers’ Flat. Our Gold ran a fair race for ninth under his weight of 11-1 in the Jumpers' Flat, and with 161 b less in the Grand National Hurdles he may run prominently.

Perusha (B. J. Mears) was shading Gunther (W. J. Hillis), with Desert Trek (P. J. Boyle) further back at the end of their run over eight hurdles. They were accompanied over the first six hurdles by Robingay (D. Thomas), Desert Trek lost ground with two faulty jumps in the early stages, but he was warming to his work at the finish. Golden Reign (J. L. Jenkins) showed his usual dash while jumping five hurdles. He took no harm from nis fall when attempting to run off in the Grand National Steeplechase. Hunting Mac, which will be making his third attempt to win the Grand National Hurdles next Saturday, also jumped four hurdles cleanly. Relampago (A. J. Murray) jumped two hurdles brilliantly. Galloped Well

The No. 9 grass was open for fast work and among those to gallop well were Helio, Trench Fray, Fine Night, Angell, Sir Abbot, and Winning Cheer. Trench Fray (D. M. Kerr) was just shading Helio (D. Hickey), after running five furlongs in lmin 6 2-ssec, the last four in 54sec. Helio ran a sound race for fifth in the Paparua Handicap on the first day, and he may show the benefit of that race at his next appearance. Trench Fray has not raced since the C.J.C. Easter meeting, where he won the Russley Juvenile Handicap in clear-cut style, but he appears to be well forward. Supreme Command worked keenly over five furlongs in lmin 11 3-ssec. Heather Flight (M. H. Hillis) dashed over three furlongs in 41sec. A smart galloper, the. Airway colt won impressively at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting. Thornbridge (M. R. Jones) ran six furlongs in lmin 21 3-ssec, the last three in 40 l-ssec. Valid (N. A. Crombie) was two lengths clear of Cloudy Range (C. McDonald) at the end of six furlongs in lmin 22 l-s Sec, the last four in 56 2-ssec.

Racedale (R. E. Page) and Rappel (J. K. Searle) ran their four furlongs in 54 2-ssec, the last three in 40 2-ssec. Racedale ran a moderate seventh in the first division of the Cashmere Plate last Saturday. Winning Cheer and Sir Abbot were both at home in the going in their gallop over four furlongs. They ran the distance in 52 2-ssec, coming home the last three furlongs in 38 2-ssec.

Maryburn (M. H. Hillis) recorded lmin 8 2-ssec for five furlongs, the last three taking 41 l-ssec. Neptina (B. Johns) and Finance (D. M. Kerr) ran their five furlongs in lmin 9 4rssec, the last three in 43sec.

Elofa (R. Drinkwater) and Langham (C. McDonald) were on terms at the end of six furlongs in lmin 25 4-ssec, after running the first three in 43 3-ssec. Langham finished well back in the Winter Cup, but he may do better over more ground. He has not returned to the form he showed early this year, when he beat some of the leading handicap horses at the Wellington summer meeting. Elofa did not race last Saturday. Silver Sam (W. J. Broughton) ran five furlongs in lmin 10 4-ssec, the last four in 57 l-ssec, and the last three in 43 l-ssec.

Prince Defaulter (D. J. Thistoll) galloped away from Caronia (M. McMahon) over the last furlong of their run over six furlongs. Prince Defaulter, an impressive winner at the Dunedin meeting in June, ran the distance in lmin 21 2-ssec, the last four furlongs in 55 4-ssec. Trafalgar Day (L. J. Ellis) dashed over his three furlongs in 41 2-ssec The jumpers, Fairhome (J. K. Searle) and Red Glare (W. J. Broughton), ran six furlongs in lmin 27 2-ssec, the last four in 59 l-ssec. Fairhome made up a lot of ground over the last half-mile to finish second in the Trial Hurdles on Saturday. Red Glare had no engagement on the first day.

Pageant (C. C. Stokes) was going better than Jolyon over the final stages of their gallop over five furlongs in lmin 10 3-ssec, the last four in 55 4-ssec. Pageant left the hack ranks with two easy wins over 11 furlongs at Wingatui, and he may be a light-weight prospect for the Islington Handicap next Saturday. Flying Gleam (J. R. Gillies) and Marut sprinted their three furlongs in 41 2-ssec. Playtos (W. J. Broughton) moved away from the six furlongs and increased his pace to run the last three, in 41 4-ssec, Angell (R. Drinkwater), a good track galloper, ran her six furlongs in lmin 18 2- coming home the last four in 31 3Personality (L. J. Ellis) led Authentic (K. Nuttall) over five furlongs, finishing two lengths clear. He recorded lmin 10 l-ssec, the last three furlongs taking 42 4- Personality has improved as a result of his racing at Trentham. Fine Night hit out boldly to run five furlongs in lmin 6sec, coming home the last three furlongs in 40sec. Leyma (M. Andrews) and Platonic (W J. Broughton) finished together after running four furlongs in 55 4-ssec.

Flying Control, with a light-weight up, galloped freely over five furlongs in lmin 7 2-ssec, the last three in 40 4-ssec. Western Front broke away from the five furlongs ahead of Conclusion, and held his lead to the finish. They recorded lmin 9 l-ssec, the last four furlongs taking 54 2-ssec. Western Front had the better of the weights.

Distinction (W. J. Broughton) sprinted home from the three furlongs in 41sec.