SMART SPRINT AT RICCARTON

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27463, 24 September 1954, Page 4

SMART SPRINT AT RICCARTON

NGAPUNAWAI FIT FOR GERALDINE CUP

A smart Geraldine Cup trial by Ngapunawai was a feature of the training at Riccarton yesterday morning. Most of the work was done under ideal conditions on JJie No. 1 grass, which was fast.

Ngapundwai (M. D. Alexander) broke away two lengths in front of Leofa (A. Darling), sped over the first three furlongs in 37 2-ssec, and drew out to a big lead in the straight to complete seven furlongs in Imin 29sec.

Ngapunawai worked very keenly. R. Wilson has him in splendid order. Solstice (E. G. Low), a Geraldine Cup light-weight, was three-quarters of a length in front of Goldwyn (A. Darling) and clear of Lady Defaulter (D. F. Coombe) after running seven furlongs in Imin 31 4-ssec, the last half-mile in. 52sec. The Geraldine Cup will mark Solstice's debut in open company. Colonel Hunt (B. Lake) was keen to increase his speed in his seven furlong trial with Joss (A. Rickaby) and Modem Times (C. McDonald). Joss was last away, but did well to finish alongside Modern Times just behind Colonel Hunt, which ran the distance in Imin 30sec and the last half-mile in 52 4-ssec.

Colonel Hunt faces his first test in open company in the open sprint at the Geraldine meeting. Shiver (N. A. Dempsey) made up a little ground in the last furlong to end seven furlongs on terms with Tyro (N. Eastwood) in Imin 31 3-ssec, the last halfmile in 51 l-ssec. Tyro weakened near the finish. She is in the Geraldine Cup, but may need more racing to bring her to her peak.

Teko (M. D. Alexander) sprinted home from the half-mile in 51 3-ssec—time bettered by the novice Alb (J. W. McDonald), which did well to record 50 i-ssec. Pack Drill (N. Eastwood) was not hurried in running half a mile in 53 2-ssec. He forms a strong bracket with Fulgent in the Squatters’ Handicap at the Geraldine meeting. Kingship (C. McDonald) sprinted five furlongs, the last four keenly In 52 2-5 sec. Gold Trend (L. J. Ellis) followed in 53 4-ssec.

Hush Money (W. Hanlin) pulled hard on the outside of Copenhagen (A. J. Stokes) while running five furlongs on the plough in Imin 7sec, the last three in 39 3-ssec.