ROYAL WARRANT VERY FIT

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28157, 21 December 1956, Page 4

ROYAL WARRANT VERY FIT

Excellent Trial For Dunedin Cup MELINDA JANE’S SPRINT Royal Warrant did his final trial for the Dunedin Cup at Riccarton yesterday, and was taken south last evening by his trainer, C. Hobson. Ridden by his race rider. D. J. Thistoll, Royal Warrant sprinted seven furlongs on the inside of the trial grass in Imin 30 3-ssec. the last four in 50 4-ssec. It was not the fastest seven furlongs of the morning, but it showed Royal Warrant’s fitness. But he will not come into strong reckoning for the Dunedin Cup unless the track is soft or heavy. Riccarton trainer W. A. Welton announced a change of plans for his team yesterday. Teaka, Abou Ben Adhem, and Darenal will not race al Wingatui. but Teaka and Darenal will fulfil engagements at the South Canterbury meeting. Teaka (A. J. Stokes) made a good impression yesterday when he beat Abou Ben Adhem (D. J. Thistoll) narrowly but well over seven furlongs. Teaka won the trial by a neck, and recorded Imin 29sec. Abou Ben Adhem set a blistering pace early—36 4-ssec for the first three furlongs. He was shaken up inside the last furlong, and did well to finish as 'close as he did to Teaka. Melinda Jane (W. Hanlin) showed great dash in beating Rio Negro (A. J. Stokes) from the seven furlongs by three lengths. Melinda Jane’s Imin 27 3-ssec was the fastest of the morning for that distance. They dashed over the first three furlongs in 36sec, but Rio Negrd felt the strain outside the furlong. Curtain Raiser was one of few mile trialists. With D. J. Thistoll up, he completed his trial nicely in Imin 46 2-ssec. and ran the last half-mile in 52 3-ssec.

Brown Baron (G. G. Hampton), Meteorologist (D. J. Thistoll), and Lucky Sal (G. W. Mein) ended seven furlongs on terms in Imin 31 l-ssec, the last four in 50sec. Hunter’s Praise (W. Hanlin) followed over that distance in Imin 30 l-ssec, the last four furlongs in 51 3-ssec Shah wan's Trial Shah wan (N. Cowles) was running on alongside Devilry (C. McDonald) after running six furlongs, but the latter was under a good hold starting the last furlong. They ran the last half-mile in 49 4-ssec —a gallop that showed their fitness for their engagements on the second day of the Dunedin Cup meeting. Robes (B. McSeveny) and Vivien Leigh <M. D. Alexander) started the morning’s operations by sprinting from the half-mile in 50sec. Teko (Alexander) and Heath (McSeveny) later recorded 49 2-ssec. They finished on terms, and it was a good gallop for Heath, a non-winner. Bon Trip (G. G. Hampton) recorded 51 4-ssec, and Water Boy (Hampton) and Falstaff <R. E. Humphries) later covered this distance unhurriedly in 55 l-ssec.

Coq d’Or (A. J. Stokes) led Copenhagen <W. Hanlin) by a neck ending half a mile in 48 2-ssec. Coq d’Or was made to work starting the last furlong, but he was easing up and moving attractively in the last few strides. Tamarisk (R. W. Gould) sprinted from the seven furlongs in Imin 31 3- the last four in 51 2-ssec. Next over this distance were Demand (L. Yeo) and Leprechaun (E. G. Low), which finished on terms in Imin 31 4- the last half-mile taking 52sec. Beau Chat (Gould) started at a leisurely pace from the seven furlongs, but quickened for the last halfmile, run in 52 l-ssec. County Fermanagh (Mein) recorded 52 2-ssec for his half-mile. Equipage (L. Yeo) and Believe Me (W. Hanlin) sprinted from the halfmile in 49 3-ssec. Equipage appeared to be shading her stablemate near the end. Glencarron Unhurried Gay Tommy (Gould), Gay Kinena (Yeo), and Glencarron (J. R. Currie) finished six furlongs in that order, separated by a neck and a length, in Imin 19 3-ssec, the last four in 53sec. Glencarron was not hurried after the other two.

King Lyn (Thistoll) sprinted half a mile attractively in 50 2-ssec, This suggested an early improvement in the form of Curtain Raiser’s halfbrother. King Lyn is by Golden Souvenir. He has an engagement in the second Stafford Stakes at Washdyke. Shoal (A. J. Stokes) did not have to show her best speed to record Imin 19 3-ssec for six furlongs, and 52 l-ssec for the last half-mile. Demolish (N. Cowles) sprinted his half-mile in 52sec. but not with the case with which his stablemate Bagatelle (C. McDonald) followed over the distance in 51 l-ssec. Bagatelle is a fit filly for the Fairlie Hack Handicap at Washdyke. Super Corn (Hampton) ran half a mile under a good hold in 55 l-ssec. In his present form he should take beating in the Pukaki High-weight at Wash dyke next week.