Ribands Runs A Notable Trial For Trotting Cup

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27501, 8 November 1954, Page 6

Ribands Runs A Notable Trial For Trotting Cup

The Australian pacer Ribands ran an outstanding trial for the New Zealand Trotting Cup tomorrow when he worked over two miles in 4min 17sec at Addington yesterday morning. Flagship, Vodka, Vapour Trail, and Precaution were others to work well vesterday. On Saturday Gay Lad, Douglas Derby, and Single Medoro worked impressively. Caduceus (J. D. Litten), Our Roger (W. D. Robinson), Petite Yvonne (P. Wolfenden), and Laureldale (F. Smith, jun.) went away from the two-mile post three seconds in front of Ribands (J. D. Watts) and Vedette (J. Bryce, jun.), but in the first furlong Ribands was pulled in behind Vedette. Caduceus set a merry pace, the first mile taking 2min 11 3-ssec. Ribands moved up at this stage, and as the leaders were racing about 12ft from the rails he was forced to go at least another 3ft out. He was on the outside of Petite Yvonne and not far from Caduceus at the end of one mile and a quarter, run in 2min 44 2-ssec, and at the end of one mile and a half in 3min 17 4-ssec he was just over a length behind the pacemaker. The

pace went on over the final half-mile, but when Ribands worked to the lead, with a furlong to go the horses were eased slightly and were all running well within themselves at the post. Ribands beihg a length in front of Caduceus, with Petite Yvonne running on strongly just behind him. Laureldale was two lengths away next, six lengths in front of Our Roger and Vedette. The leaders took 4min 20sec for the full distance, the last half-mile in Imin 2 2-ssec. and the last quarter in 32 2-ssec. Ribands took 4min 17sec for the two miles, 2min 6 3-ssec for his last mile, Imin 1 3-ssec for his last four furion es, and 32sec for his last quarter. Ribands’s time would have been better than 4min Msec on the rails. After the run his driver, Watts, said he was more than satisfied with the way the horse paced, and expressed appreciation of the action of the other drivers in giving him such a solid work-out. Caduceus revelled in his task and looks fit for his engagements at Addington. Both Petite Yvonne and Laureldale were doing their work well, and they are in fine fettle for their cup engagements. Not so impressive were Vedette and Our Roger. Vedette was beaten with three furlongs to run. and Our Roger drifted in the straight. Vedette looks very well at present, but he will have to improve considerably on yesterday’s effort to have any chance in his races at Addington.

Soangetaha’s Trial Soangetaha gave Macall a start of about 24 yards from the mile and a half post, and he took over the role Of pacemaker at the end of the first quarter. Both horses did their work well and were on terms at the post after taking Smin 21 l-ssec for the mile and a half, the last half-mile in Imin 3 3-ssec, the last quarter in 32sec. Soangetaha looks ready to run the race of his life in the cup tomorrow, and he is certain to take part in the finish.

Green Label, working on his own. was net required to do his best to take 3min 20sec for his mile and a half. He went at an even pace all the way and seems in

good order for hrs engagements on the later days of the meeting. His stablemate, Mighty Falla, went quietly over the first mile of one mile and a half. He was speeded up to pace his last four furlongs in Imin lsec. He was driven by S. A. Edwards, who will handle him in his races at Addington. Vapour Trail made the pace and finished in front of Precaution, with three lengths to Merry Gold and King’s Order, at the end of one mile and a half in 3min 23sec, the last half-mile in Imin 1 3-ssec and the last quarter in 31 ?-ss£c. Vapour Trail worked with plenty of dash, and he should win at least one race at Addington.

Wayward Peter and Highland Flirt went very easily over two miles, and they had no speed on until the last four furlongs, which were run in Imin 3sec, the last quarter in 31 2-ssec. Both horses were running well at the post. Trueco, Camber, and Excelsa finished together at the end of an easy mile and a half in 3min 31sec, the last half-mile in Imin 6 3-ssec and the last quarter in 32sec. Flagship and Vodka Johhny Ray and Vodka went away three seconds in front of Flagship from the mile and a quarter post, but at the end of just over one furlong the lastnamed was in the lead. He was clear at the half-mile post, but Vodka closed cn him in the straight after taking 2min 47 3-ssec for the full distance, the last halfmile in Imin 4 3-ssec and the last quarter in 32 3-ssec. Flagship took 2min 43 3-ssec for the full distance. Johnny Ray was beaten off. It was a most impressive effort by both horses, which should do well at the cup meeting. Scottish Greetings had very little pace on over her mile and a half in 3min 35 3-ssec. She sprinted her last quarter in 32 4-ssec. Beau Marie ran two miles in 4min 53sec, the last half-mile in Imin Bsec and the last quarter in 33sec. She looks very fit- / Work on Saturday Petite Yvonne, which was worked fast again yesterday, went over two miles on Saturday morning in 4min 23sec. She went away a long way behind Douglas Derby and Beau Marie, but she was not far away at the post. She took 2min 13 2-ssec for the first mile, the last four furlongs in Imin 3sec, and the final quarter in 31sec. Douglas Derby, which made all the pace, was running on strongly after taking 4min 31 2-ssec, his last half-mile in Imin 4sec. Douglas Derby looks very fit. Cembala had a very quiet run over two miles, his last four furlongs taking Imin 8 3-ssec. He sprinted down the straight, his last quarter taking 35sec. He looks ready to run a good race in the Spring Handicap to-morrow.

Treviso took 3min 23 3-ssec for his mile and a half, his opening mile in 2min 15 2-ssec.

Egyptian Queen and Fair Isle went away four seconds in front of Single Medoro from the mile and a half post, but the three-year-old beat them after taking 3min 19 l-ssec for the full distance, the last half-mile in Imin 5 2-ssec and the last quarter in 32 l-ssec. Fair Isle was under a good hold at the post. It was a smart effort by Single Meaoro, which may race well at the meeting. The Medoro colt is a promising pacer. Gay Lad went over one mile and a half on his own in 3min 15 3-ssec, his last half-mile in Imin 3 l-ssec and his last quarter in. 31 l-ssec. He will be one of the favourites for the Empire Handicap. Mecca Chief gave Zulu’s Pride a start, and he was doing better than his companion at the end of one mile and a half in 3min 22 l-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 5 2-ssec and the last quarter in 32 l-ssec.

Captain Cuddles hit out freely over on< mile and a half in 3min 19 2-ssec, the las half-mile io Imin 4sec and the last quar ter in 32sec. The Gaillard gelding is im proving with every run, and he may shov up at the meeting.