Russleigh Sprints Well At Riccarton

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27993, 13 June 1956, Page 4

Russleigh Sprints Well At Riccarton

RACING

Russleigh showed characteristic dash in a run over five furlongs on the No. 6 grass at Riccarton yesterday. The most interesting feature of the rest of the work was a run over five fences by King Willow and Sultry. Russleigh js obviously well forward tc make a fresh start against the sprinters at Oamaru. Ridden by M. D. Alexander, she sprinted five furlongs strongly in Imin 3 4-ssec after dashing over the first two in 26 2-ssec. Russleigh has been away from racing since her North Island campaign at New Year. She won the Manawatu Racing Club’s Grandstand Handicap on December 24. and was third in the Marton Cup. Ngapunawai (B. Parsons* ran from the mile in Imin 49 4-ssec. the last half in 54 l-ssec. and the concluding three furlongs in 40 l-ssec. He is in the Oamaru Winter Cup on Saturday. So are Aclversary (A. J. Stokes) and Relinquish (T. J. Smith), which followed over the same ground in Imin 50sec. the last half in 54 2-ssec, and the final three furlongs in 40sec. Relinquish won the Oamaru Winter Cup under 7st 121 b last year. He has 7st 131 b on Saturday, but his lack of racing condition may weigh against him.

Failure at Wingatui

Adversary was an expensive failure in his two races at the Dunedin winter meeting, but his performances fell far short of his best.

Meteorologist (L. Anderson) led Skyrider (B. Parsons) by three lengths after running six furlongs in Imin 22 l-ssec. the last half-mile in 54sec. Skyrider was not hurried. His two placings at the Ashburton autumn meeting make him one of the best form prospects for the Trial Handicap at Oamaru.

Desperado (N. Bonney) was little troubled to record 42 2-ssec for his half-mile. Duel (G. W.’Mein) was easing up three-quarters of a length in front of Captain Hawk (G. Campbell.) after running a mile in Imin 50 l-ssec, the final three furlongs in 42sec. Duel won the Opawa High-weight at-Riccarton at Easter, and was a fastfinishing third over 11 furlongs at Ashburton—encouraging pointers for the Waikaura Champion Hack Handicap at Oamaru. Macduff (N. Hoy) sprinted the last three furlongs of his work in 41 2-ssec. Le Roi, with the same rider uo. completed a similar task in 42 4-ssec. Teko (B. McSeveny) was well clear of Dixie Leigh (M. D. Alexander)

ending six furlongs in lmin 19sec, the last three in 41sec. Teko should take beating in the Grange Handicap at Oamaru if the ground is dry. Lord Rowallan <M. J. Wadley) led Americus by three-quarters of a length ending half a, mile in 54sec. the concluding three furlongs in 39 3-ssec. Under Good Hold Fulgent (C. T. Wilson/ was under a good hold while sprinting from *the half-mile in 53 4-ssec. He has built up since he last raced and is in great trim to complete his preparation for the Wellington winter meeting. Cheyenne (W. McGregor) and LuckyTime (W. Quill) sprinted five furlongs in lmin 5 3-ssec. the last four in 52sec. and the concluding three in 38 4-ssec. St. Anthony (B. Taggart) sprinted home from the six furlongs in lmin 22 l-ssec, the last thyee in 40 3-ssec. Copenhagen (A. J. Stokes) ran home easily from the three furlongs in 43 3-ssec. Airscol (B. W. McDonald) and Belletavia (J. Coulter) followed in 42 4-ssec.

Airscol was an expensive favourite the last time she raced at Oamaru. but has since won at Riccarton. She may take beating in the Farewell Hack Handicap at Oamaru on Saturday. Super Corn (J. W. McDonald) had little pace on in the early stages of his run from the mile, but sprinted the last three furlongs in 40 The top weight of 9-0 may not stop him from winning the Waikauru Champion Hack Handicap at Oamaru. King Willow (G. Lee) jumped clear of Sultry (G. G. Hampton) at the double ending a good run over the five schooling fences. King Willow has run off in his two attempts over country, but if he drops that habit his first success will not be long delayed. He will meet Sultry again in the Burnside Hack and’ Hunters’ Steeplechase at Oamaru. Gay Feniah CB. Gordon) w’ent alone over the five fences, and jumped safely. Gay Fenian is now 10. and has not raced since July of last year. Spike Jones <D. M. Kerr) and Salabeau (G. W. Mein) jumped competently in their run over four hurdlas. Salabeau. formerly trained at Trentham. is now in E. J. Jennings’s stable He is a six-year-old Beau Vite gelding owned by Mr E. W. Hunt. Hororata.

Cristatus (G. G. Hampton) shaped well over four hurdles.

Super Corn has 9-0, not 9-8. in the Waikaura Champion Hack Handicap at Oamaru.