DECLARE FIT FOR LAST RACE

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27735, 12 August 1955, Page 4

DECLARE FIT FOR LAST RACE

Trial For Islington Handicap

TRACK WORK AT RICCARTON Deciare’s racing career will be brought to a close at Riccarton on Saturday, when Mr D. W. J. Gould’s handsome chestnut will run in the Islington Handicap, the first leg of the double. Now eight, Declare has won eight races, and has been placed 29 times, for £9875 in stakes, but he has failed to win a race at Riccarton, where he is trained by J. C. Tomkinson. He came within inches of success in some of his races, including the 1952 Stewards’ Handicap, on his home course, but fared better at Trentham, whe.e he won the Shorts and Railway Handicaps in the 1951-52 season, the Awatea and Thorndon Handicaps in the 1955-54 season, and the Kelburn Haak Handicap in the 1950-51 season. He. scored his first two successes at Wingatui, and the eighth and most recent win of his career at Amberley last season. Field shyness, the result of a knock against the rails in one of his early races at Riccarton, was a handicap to further success by Declare, one of the fastest and most effortless gallopers trailed at Riccarton' in the last few years. Declare shaped attractively in his final trial for the Islington Handicap yesterday. Ridden by A. J. Stokes, he had Goid Tip (J. M. Dempsey) and Bosky (L. W. Hare.) for companions. They galloped easily from the mile, and sprinted the last half-mile keenly in 53sec. The outside of the course proper was open for fast work. There has been good drying and the going was dead, but good. Ben Ledi’s Effort Ben Ledi (N. Eastwood) and Forepeak (I. Smale) sped home from the half-mile in 51 4-ssec, and appeared to do their work well. Ben Ledi was an unlucky third in the Cashmere Plate after carrying the barrier strand for tne first furlong. He is a smart galloper, and should take beating in the Aylesbury Handicap. King of Joy (B. P. Wood) and De Bracey (W. L. Aitken) also recorded 51 4-ssec for their half-mile, which they ended on terms. King of Joy beat all but Persia in the Cashmere Plate, and is one of the best form prospects for the Aylesbury Handicap. Poetical (A. K. Lawrence) and Hunter’s Choice (I. Smale) sprinted from the halfmile in 54sec, and Okaruru (D. J. Thistoil) followed in 53 2-ssec. Michael Brierly (R. W. Gould) and Tarantella (B. Parsons) completed their worK by sprinting from the hdlf-mile in 52sec. Keep Time (J. R. Currie) was too good for Amenity (J. M. Dtfmpsey) oVer halt a mile, and finished well clear. Keep Time showed speed to the straight in Cashmere Plate, and should be fitter for that race. Column (J. M. Dempsey) led Miss Commission (J. R. Currie) by two lengths ending half a mile in 52 2-ssec. Column did his work well. Adversary (C. C. Stokes) was galloping easily, clear of Copperfield (L. W. Hare) and Algaro (D. J. Thistoll), ending half a mile in 55 2-ssefc. In his present form Adversary should again race well in the August Handicap. Consistent Demand (R. W. Gould) ended his work I by sprinting from the half-mile in 54 2-ssec. This very consistent galloper is also engaged in the August Handicap. Berne (B. P. Wood) ran the last halfmile of his work in 53 4-ssec. Top weight 'of 9-11 will probably trouble him in the Islington Handicap. 1 Peter Silk (D. J. Thistoll) and Lochie ' (A. G. Walsh) were companions over half 1 a mile, run in 52 2-ssec. White Hart (W. L. Aitken) and Happy (J. Meikle) followed in 53 2-ssec. Ark Royal (A. I. Powell) was shading ' Wait-a-Bit (N. A. Crombie) and Persia (R. J. Skelton) ending their half-mile tn 53 l-ssec. Nickola (L. W. Hare) was not keen to ' canter to the half-mile for his sprint with The Wake (J. H. Hely), but galloped 1 strongly to finish alongside his companion ‘ in 52 4-ssec. Lucky Sal (N. East wood) had the better ' of the weights in her trial with Cashmere ■ (L. W. Hare), and she led the Wingatui three-year-old by a length at the finish. Lucky Sal recorded 53 l-ssec. First Degree and Leighford both shaped ) well when schooled over hurdles at Ric- < carton yesterday. I Leighford (G. Jenkins) jumped four I flights alone. First Degree (J. P. Carter) I had Danger Point (C. Goss) for a com- ■ panion over four flights and shaded the » Wingatui horse for jumping ability. X L First Degree, a stablemate of the Grand ) National Hurdles winner. Solar Mist, has j -lone well as a hurdler in the North ) Island.