WRITER PLEASES IN TRIAL AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28185, 25 January 1957, Page 4

WRITER PLEASES IN TRIAL AT TRENTHAM

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, Jan. 24. A fresh horse, Writer, in the Summer Handicap, the first leg of the double on the final day of the Wellington meeting, showed that he is in excellent condition for the event when he ran a pleasing mile at Trentham this morning. Writer has good form in the South to recommend his chance, and with Cardigan and Field Chief out of the field, he may test the favourites. Rise and Shine and Watch and Wait returned the best over-all time for six furlongs, but Hot Drop and Can-Can were more impressive in the concluding stages of a similar trial. Somerset Fair rounded off his preparation for the Trentham Stakes with a comfortable five furlongs. The best half-mile went to the credit of Young Marco and Her Ex. Lady Avon, and Melody Fair were not far behind. Zekan took the honours over three furlongs. Training was divided between the plough and the trial grass. The plough was powdery and last, and the trial grass has not been harder. On the plough. Writer (A. J. Stokes) was accompanied by Harleston (R J. Jury) over a mile in Imin 43sec. They came from the seven furlongs in Imin 29 3-ssec, and from the half-mile in 49 The final three furlongs took 36 2-5 sec. Writer was doing his work comfortably throughout and is obviously at a high peak of fitness. He has not raced for three weeks and will not be jaded, which is more than can be said for some of his opponents in the Summer Handicap. Harleston kept with Writer throughout, but did not have as much in reserve at the end. However, it was good work for a highweight candidate.

Hot Drop (W. L. Aitken) and CanCan (G. F. Hughes) were companions over six furlongs in Imin 18sec. They came home impressively, running the last half-mile in 49sec, and the final three furlnogs in 35 2-5 sec. Hot Drop has not looked better and he should be a force to be reckoned with in the Thorndon Handicap. A new method of shoeing Hot Drop has been tried lately, which may account for his improved showings recently. Can-Can gives the impression that she has yet to reach her best form.

High-weight Candidates Impress The Wallaceville Handicap candidates. San Diego (A. J. Stokes) and King’s Crest (K. A. Nuttall) kept together while running seven furlongs in Imin 32sec. The best sections of the trial were the last halfmile in 50 4-ssec, and the final three furlongs in 36 3-ssec. They appear capable of taking a big part in Saturday’s finish.

Mexico (K. A. Nuttall) was under a good hold at the end of three furlongs in 38sec. Mexico looks all the better for his race on Monday.

Champion <K. D. Campbell) was a length ahead of Tropical (G. F. Hughes) and Wild Area (W. L. Aitken) at the end of a mile in Imin 45 2-ssec. The last half took 50 2-ssec, and the final three furlongs 37 l-ssec. Champion, a minor place-getter on Monday, would not need to do a great deal better to be harder to beat in the Wallaceville High-weight on Saturday. He will be suited by the extra furlong. Royal Zorra (W. L. Aitken) did not travel fast in the early stages of seven furlongs, but she completed the distance in Imin 30 3-ssec. Sectional times were not available because oft a ground fog. She has good form over sprint distances, but will have to be taken on trust over the Trentham Stakes journey.

Permit (B. W. McDonald), which has been feeling the ground, ran the last three of four furlonss in 39sce. Completing pacework. Devilry (G Lee) sprinted from the half-mile in 51 2-ssec, the final three furlongs taking 37sec. He revelled in his work, and as he raced like an improver on the opening day. he may take a hand in the finish of the Kaitoke Hack Handicap. It is against him that he has drawn wide at the barrier.

Genre (A. D. Rich) strode easily from the mile to the half, and came home from there in 52sec. He ran the last three furlongs in 37 4-ssec. He has disappointed recently, but is favoured with a better barrier draw in the Kaitoke Hack Handicap. Bugle Boy (W. D. Wylie) worked strongly to the half-mile, and increased the pace to come from there in 50 2-ssec, the final three furlongs taking 36 3-ssec.

Royal Tryst (W. D. Wylie) ran seven furlongs in Imin 34 3-ssec. He looks none the worse for his successful outing on Monday, and he should take a hand in the finish of the high-weight event again. Could Have Improved

Solepic (G. F. Hughes) was not after time while running half a mile in 55 l-ssec. He has been a disappointment lately, but a handy barrier position will be to his advantage in the Kaitoke Hack Handicap. The stablemates. Nine Days (B. W McDonald) and Tarawa (W. L. Aitken), were not pressed to run the last three of six furlongs in 37 l-ssec Both have raced well enough at the meeting to be given prospects on Saturday. Nine Days is in the Kelhurn Hack Handicap, and Tarawa is in the Kaitoke Hack Handicap. Desert Cloud (D. N. Hadfield) was running on strongly at the end of six furlongs, to beat Aquarius (B. T Jones) and Golden Warrior (M. Hazelwood). The last half-mile took 50 2-ssec. and the final three furlongs 37sec. Desert Cloud's effort was the more impressive because her saddle slipped.

Chattering (H. Barber) was under restraint while running three fur-

longs in 37 2-ssec. She has improved considerably as a result of her outing at the Ashhurst meeting, when she was unlucky not to finish closer than fifth, and she may not be out of her class in the Kaitoke Hack Handicap. On the trial grass. Rise and Shine (A. J. Stokes) and 'Watch and Wait (C. T. Wilson) jumped off inside the seven furlongs, and came from the six in Imin 17sec. They finished together and ran the last four in 51sec, and the final three furlongs in 38 l-ssec. Both had plenty of reserve at the end. Somerset Fair (K. D. Campbell) was not after time while running five furlongs, the last four takine 49 3-ssec, and the final three 36 3-ssec. He galloped effortlessly and was not hampered by the firm ground. He pulled up well and will be a worthy favourite for the Trentham Stakes. Young Marco (R. J. Jury) left half a mile behind in 48sec. He has his share of speed and may be more at home over the- shorter distance of the Kelburn Hack Handicap on Saturday. Her Ex (C. T. Wilson) was more impressive than William Paul (A. J. Stokes), and had a length advantage at the end of half a mile in 49sec. The final three furlongs were run in 36 l-ssec. Her Ex may test the better fancied division in the Hopeful Stakes. Lady Avon Holds Japonica

Lady Avon (K. D. Campbell) established an early lead on Japonica (G. F. Hughes) from the half-mile, and although the latter was closing on her companion in the final stages, she was still two lengths in the rear in 49 3-ssec. The last three furlongs were run in 36sec. ’ Japonica has come through her racing well, and she may be the one to dispute the finish of the City Handicap with Yahabeebe.

Melody Fair (K. D. Campbell) sprinted half a mile in 50 2-ssec. She came from the three furlongs in 36sec.

Wee Durham (W. L. Aitken) came from the half-mile in 51 3-ssec. She was a good fourth on the opening day, and on that performance she will have to be respected in the City Handicap.

St. Vincent (G. F. Hughes) was hard held while running half a mile in 57 3-ssec. the fastest part being the final three furlongs in 42 3-ssec. His finishing run into fourth on Monday suggested that he will have prospects in the Kelburn Hack Handicap.

The best three furlongs was recorded by Zekan (W. L. Aitken), which ran the distance in 35 4-ssec. He came into his own with an impressive win on Monday and he looks the part to carry on with it. Blue Tip (H. Barber) was a length in front of King Lear (W. L. Aitken) after running half a mile in 50sec. the final three furlongs taking 36 3-ssec. A useful six furlongs was credited to Eouipage (N. Hoy), which shaded Teaka (A. J. Stokes) and Believe Me (C. T. Wilson) after running the last four furlongs in 50 sec and the final three in 36 l-ssec.

Royal Pepeta (R. J. Jury) sprinted three furlongs in 36sec. In a similar trial, Moon Crest (A. D Rich) had more in hand at the end and recorded 37sec.

Nuffield (W. L. Aitken), working much better than usual, finished well clear of Duplication (K. Nuttall), after running six furlongs, the last four in 51sec and the final three in 37 3-ssec.

Warwick (K. Nuttall) was not asked for an effort while running half a mile in 54sec, the final three furlongs taking 40sec. Poppet (R. J. Jury) was 10 lengths ahead of a Balloch two-year-old (M. Hazelwood) at the end of half a mile in 49 4-ssec. Poppet ran the final three furlongs in 37sec. Yahabeebe was let off with pacework. She has not looked back since she won the Wellington Stakes and she looks a ready made favourite for the City Handicap, in spite of her weight.

Cornflake, another impressive winner last Saturday, also was restricted to pacework. A reproduction of his latest form would give him good prospects in the Thorndon Handicap. Doubtful starters include Shahwan (Trentham Stakes). Water Boy, and St. Anthony (Kelburn Hack Handicap), and William Paul (Hopeful Stakes).