OPPOSITION SCHOOLS WELL AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28321, 5 July 1957, Page 4

OPPOSITION SCHOOLS WELL AT TRENTHAM

“The Press’* Special Service

WELLINGTON, July 4. Opposition, one of the lesser 'chasing lights, did best over the Trentham country in a limited number of bouts this morning. He is engaged in the Mariri Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase on Saturday. The Wellington Steeplechase candidates, Wotan’s Gold and Conkeda, acquitted themselves well.

On the flat, the feature was a smart five furlongs by Golden Cabana. Gold Caste, Ettrick, John and Smart also pleased over this distance, and Peter Willonyx recorded a sound seven furlongs. The latter was brought home from the half-mile by Golden Warrior, which enhanced his prospects for the Stewards’ Handicap.

Golden Fox gave a nippy display over two schooling hurdles in the centre of the course. The tracks had a thorough soaking during the night and the going was heavy.

Opposition (Noarnoa) was much superior to Ozone (Coon) in-a school oyer five steeplechase ’’ences beginning with the boards, at the seven furlongs on the course proper. Opposition went to the lead with a magnificent jump at the first, and then increased his advantage at each of the remaining obstacles. Opposition bruised a hoof since he last raced, but be showed no signs of the trouble this morning. He may be an improver in the Mariri Steeplechase, as he finished third in the Tamaki Hack Steeplechase on the tihrd day of the Auckland meeting. Wotan’s Gold (Hely) had plenty of pace on when he cleared the same fences. He got in a little close to the first and ran out slightly at the second, but then warmed to his task and cleared the remaining obstacles in his stride. He carried on to take the boards at the seven furlongs a second time.

Wotan s Gold has not shown form since his Grand National win early in the season, but he was blistered after the Great Northern meeting and has been hitting out much more freely since. He looks well and on his school this morning he should be a prospect at Trentham. Polished Display Conkeda (Tims) jumped the brush at the six furlongs and then cleared a boards and another brush. He gave a polished display. Later he did pace work on the trial grass and sprinted home from the half-mile in 55sec. It was good work for a steeplechaser. Conkeda lopks thoroughly attuned for his task on Saturday. The best performance on the flat went to the credit of Golden Cabana (Mackie), when he beat Sanroll (Anderson) by four lengths at the end of five furlongs in Imin 7 3-5 sec. Golden Cabana ran the last half-mile in 52 4-ssec, and the final three furlongs in 39 3-ssec. The most pleasing feature of his work was the manner in which he handled the track.

With conditions made to order for him. Gold Caste (Wylie) was much too good for Good Abbot (B. S. Butson) aver five furlongs, finishing four lengths in front and recording Imin Bsec. He came from the half-mile in 53 lrssec. and from the three furlongs in 39 l-ssec.

Gold Caste has never looked better than at present, but he may be beaten for early speed to match the sprinters in the Stewards’ Handicap. However, if the going becomes deeper his powerful finishing run may bring him close to a placing. Good Abbot has not been noted for his track efforts on previous Trentham visits, but he has a good record on the track on race days. With the best of the weights, Ettrick John (Lowry) led Smart (Cowan) and Royal Warrant (Anderson) throughout five furlongs in Imin Bsec, the last four taking 53 2-ssec, and the final three 40sec. Smart drew up to Ettrick John at the furlong, but was then allowed to take his time, and was beaten by three-quarters of a length. .Royal Warrant made a dab on the outside at the furlong, but he did not sustain the effort and was a length away at the end. Ettrick John has no recent form, but the manner in which he worked sugested that he will not be without prospects in the Woburn Hack Handicap. Smart galloped in keeping with his good South Island form, which has earned him topweight in the Woburn Hack Handicap. Went Fast Early Travelling very fast early, Peter Willonyx (Browning) was eased in the straight over seven furlongs which took him Imin 32 l-ssec. Even so, it was splendid time in the conditions. He was joined by Golden Warrior (Anderson) at the half-mile, and the latter was three lengths ahead at the post in 53 4-ssec, the final three furlongs being run in 40 l-ssec.

fittest horses at Trentham at present. Golden Warrior again imgressed. From the minimum in the tewards’ Handicap he should set some of the better-fancied candidates a hard task. Red Star (Barber) and Al Capone (Searle) were not after time while running seven furlongs in Imin 43sec, the last half-mile in 59 3-ssec, and the final three furlongs in 44 1-5 sec. Red Star showed no signs of his recent ligament trouble, and he is to run in the Whyte Handicap. Kirklea Singer, which is not engaged till the Trial Plate on the second day, was unextended to run half a mile in 53 2-ssec. She ran the final three furlongs in 39 2-ssec. Another second day candidate, Peterford (Browning), ran an easy six furlongs, coming from the halfmile in 59 3-ssec. and from the three furlongs in 44 3-ssec. He is improved with his racing at Hastings and should be at his best next Wednesday. „ , Jules Verne (Anderson) relished the conditions when he finished two lengths ahead of Mystery Moor (Hely) after running half a mile in 55sec. The final three furlongs took 40sec. Jules Verne has shown a good deal of promise in the north, and obviously is suited by the Trentham going at this time of the year. Easy Effort Gold Acre (Mackie) rounded off his work by coming easily from the

half-mile in 57 3-ssec, and from the three furlongs in 42 2-ssec. Avory (Ackland) finished better than Dearwood (Wylie) and was a length in front at the end of half a mile in 54 2-ssec, the final three in 40 l-ssec. It was a pleasing effort on the part of Avory, which was experiencing going to suit him for the first time this winter. Impeller (O’Sullivan) beat Bandera (Hely) by two lengths over six furlongs in Imin 24sec, the last four in 55sec, and the final three in 40 3-ssec. Ole (Noanoa) established an early lead on Clangula (Mackie) from the five furlongs, and increased it in the run home to record Imin 10 3-5 sec. He ran the last half-mile in 55 3-ssec, and the final three furlongs in 41 l-ssec. Ole was not inconvenienced by the going. No rider has been secured for him in the Stewards’ Handicap. Clangula did not appear happy in the ground. Domitare (O’Sullivan) was not extended to run half a mile in 54 4-5 sec, loafing over the final three furlongs in 40 4-ssec. The hoof injury he sustained early in the week was not serious, and he galloped freely this morning. Isaacson (O’Sullivan) was slightly better than Jan Ho (Anderson) alter running half a mile in 55sec, the final three furlongs taking 41 3-ssec. King (Mackie) was well clear of Baithen (Scott) after running seven furlongs in Imin 40sec. The last half-mile took 59sec. King is keen in training whereas Baithen is sluggish. Clansman (Ackland) sprinted three furlongs in 40 l-ssec. Ballast (Johnston) and Fuel (Anderson) worked at little better than 15sec to the furlong over half a mile, the fastest part being the final three furlongs in 44 3-ssec. Fuel looks ready for a good effort in the Whyte Handicap. Revelled In Going King’s Rille (Mackie) revelled in the going when he beat Nehru (O’Sullivan) easily over five furlongs, the last three taking 39 3-5 sec. Sir Gerald (Lowry) did not have to do his best to account for Lucky Bill (Cowan) * over six furlongs. Travelling easily. Sir Gerald ran the final three furlongs in 44 3-ssec. In a similar task. Hickory Stick (Jenkins) recorded 56 2-ssec for the last haJf-mile.

Horses restricted to pace work were Leighford, Indian Mars, Spring Parade, Rangi’s Luck, Jewel Denby, Marsden. Peepin’ Thru, Hit Parade, and Red Bill.

Windfall (Jones) gave a competent display over fences. He is not engaged till the later days of the meeting. Another which will make his first appearance at the fixture on the second day, Hiaown (Hely) was inclined to risk some of the fences in a similar .school, but he recovered well and gave a good exhibition. Hurdles Fancy Golden Fox (Walker), a fancied candidate for the Trentham Hurdles, jumped two schooling hurdles in the centre of the track cleverly. He got in close to the first, but recovered brilliantly and did not lose any ground. He took the second hurdle in his stride. Though he has not had any recent racing over hurdles, he is a natural jumper, and his latest efforts on the flat entitle him to respect in all his Trentham engagements. Nupla (Hely) baulked several times at the first fence inside the crossing, but taken to the other side of the course, he jumped two hurdles pleasingly. Meresun (Potter) cleared four hurdles well, though he got in a little close to the first. Later he completed pacework by coming from the three furlongs in 41 3-ssec.

Giving a much better display than on Wednesday, Patris (Cowan) was more impressive than Royal Tryst (Butson) over five hurdles. The slippery going appeared to trouble Royal Tryst.