SALONICA, ARK ROYAL EXCEL IN TRIALS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28529, 7 March 1958, Page 4

SALONICA, ARK ROYAL EXCEL IN TRIALS

"The Press” Special Service

DUNEDIN, March 6. Salonica drew attention to his prospects in the Flying Handicap, the second leg of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s off-course double, when he sprinted brilliantly at Wingatui this morning. Ark Royal enhanced his prospects in the James Hazlett Gold Cup with another attractive workout, and others to show up in the trials—held under ideal conditions—were Wondon, Minglow, The Wanderer, Smart, and Meridian. Salonica was ridden by the promising apprentice, E. O’Brien, and his finishing effort to beat The Wanderer (B. J. Anderton) and Minglow (R. J. Skelton) by a length at the end of a fast half-mile in 50 2-ssec was a strong pointer that this Cassock gelding will not be out of *his depth in open class. Mitre Peak (H. T. Anderton) drifted over the concluding stages to be five lengths back. Mighty Dollar was ridden by his trainer, A. N. Didham, in a quiet half-mile in 56sec, the first furlong in 13sec. He did not appear to be galloping freely. Highlea (R. J. Bain) appeared to be galloping easier than Mr Beaumaris (R. J. Mackie) in 51 3-ssec, the opening furlong in 12 2-ssec. These two horses are rival candidates for the Novice Handicap. Ace High (G. E. Lowry) shaded his stable-mate, Lexiana (R. J. Bain) in 52sec, the first furlong in 12 1-5

sec. These were two of the last gallops of the morning, when the track was at its best. Central King (E. O’Brien) was galloping easily alongside Tudor Queen (R. J. Skelton), which was ridden out to run five furlongs in Imin 9 2-ssec, the first two furlongs in 25 3-ssec. Captain Hunt (L. W. Hare) was on terms with Promise (R. J. Mackie) at the end of five furlongs in Imin 6sec. the first two furlongs in 25 3- Jamell (B. P. Kennedy) was the early leader, but Landon (E. O’Brien) came through at the turn to head his stable-mate by a length, with half a length to Master David (R. J. Skelton) over six furlongs in Imin 20sec, the first three furlongs in the smart time of 38 2-ssec. Meridian (H. T. Anderton) worked well to hold Treasure Pond (B. J. Anderton) by a lehgth at the end of a solid seven furlongs in Imin 34 4- the first half-mile in 53 2-ssec. A candidate for the Champion Hack Handicap, Meridian appears to be improving in his work. Smart (R. J. Mackie) covered seven furlongs in Imin 33sec. He galloped well throughout and was assisted over the last six furlongs by King Cassock (G. E. Lowry). They ran out the distance solidly to come home the last half-mile in 52 3-ssec. Plenty of Dash Ark Royal (H. T. Anderton) put plenty of dash into his work to run five furlongs on the plough in Imin 4 3-ssec. He was assisted over the early stages by his stable-mate, Persia (A. I. Powell), who was eased up over the concluding stages. Ark ran out the distance strongly to cover the last three furlongs in 39 3-ssec. Wondon (A. I. Powell) was under a hold, but dashed over the last three furlongs in 39 2-ssec. He has come to no harm from his trip to Cromwell, where he decisively won the hack sprint on both days, and he is in grand order for the Abbotsford Handicap, in which he will run out his hack nominations. Black Star (A. I. Powell) was not out for time over a half mile in 54 2-ssec, the last three Kirlongs in 40 4-ssec. # Blue Count (B. P. Kennedy) accounted for<toyal Pal (J. Reid) at the end of six furlongs in Imin 24 sec, the opening three furlongs in 40 3-ssec.

Royal Chant and Chief Pal (J. Reid) ran the first two furlongs in 25 4-ssec, and were together at the end of five furlongs in Imin Bsec. The Riccarton visitors. Shoal and McCool, were restricted to pace work. Both appear to be in firstclass order for their engagements. The winner of the Dunedin Cup on the opening day of the meeting, Shoal will attempt to round off a double in the Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap. McCool is one of the early favourites for the £6OO Champion Hack Handicap. Rex Robe (B. J. Anderton) and Al Capone (G. Philp) were companions in a fast, clean school over two flights of hurdles. No decision has yet been made as to which event Rex Robe will start in. But if he runs in the hurdle event, it is likely he will be one of the favourites after his two decisive wins under high-weight conditions at Cromwell. Arabian Chief (G. E. Lowry) completed his preparation with an attractive school over the same fences in company with Vocalize (J. D. Pankhurst). Hearth Rug has been scratched from the Abbotsford Handicap and will start in the Champion Hack Handicap. GREYMOUTH CUP Curtain Raiser Has Form Curtain Raiser’s form as a fresh runner has often been good, and his absence from racing since October might not weigh against him in the Greymouth Cup at Omoto tomorrow. Curtain Raiser* was starting another campaign when he won the Flying Handicap, seven furlongs, at Ashburton on August 31. His record in three starts since is one second, one third, and one fourth. The Greymouth Cup is the first leg of the off-course double, and there is a capacity field. Tonk has had a quick rise to the top of the weights. He has been a highly successful campaigner on the West Coast but is now giving weight to horses with good records in stronger fields elsewhere. At a mile he will be hard put to beat Appreciate as well as Curtain Raiser. Jack Ashore, another fresh horse, is selected to win the second leg, the Paroa Hack Handicap. This four-year-old Able Seaman gelding was in stronger company when he won the Fernside Hack Handican at Rangiora on October 28. That was his third successive win, the others being at Westport earlier that month. Selections: Noon.—Novice Stakes: Sea Fox Kerralyn, Rayspar. 12.45 p.m.—Brunner Hack Handicap: Fern, Amenity, Arabian Stream. 13 0 p.m.—Borough Trot: Secret Star, Elect Scott, Alert. 2.10 p.m.—Greymouth Cup: Curtain , Raiser. Appreciate, Tonka-Lord Rowallan bracket. 2.50 p.m.—Miners’ Hack Handicap: Royal Vai, Fern. 3 30. p.m.—Paroa Hack Handicap: Jack Ashore, Uproar, Arabian Stream. • ■ 4.10 p.m.—Stewards’ Trot: Bestow. Secret Star, Our Ada. 4.50 p.m.—County Hack Handicap: Bonny Pippin, Red Elm, Amenity. Double fields, with form, are:— GREYMOUTH CUP, Of £3OO. One mile. st. lb 0111 Tonka (10) .. ..9 0 3341 Appreciate (1) .. .. 813 1432 Curtain Raiser (4) ..8 7 Lord Rowallan (13) .. 8 4 3020 County Fermanagh (9) .. 8 0 0004 Chellene (7) .. ..7 3 0000 Cruising (12) .. ..7 3 0403 Happy (2) .. ..7 3 0030 Peter Bruce (11) .. 7 31 3103 Red Elf (6) ... .. 7 3i Balloted out with right of re-entry • in the following order:— 3104 Jesse James (5) .. 7 3 4442 Sumner (3) .. ..7 3 3212 Red Elm (8) ..7 3 Brackets: Tonka and Lord Rowallan. Jesse James, Peter Bruce, and Sumner. PAROA HACK HANDICAP, Of £ 150. Six furlongs and a half. I st. lb! 0312 Arabian Stream (2) ..9 2 0231 Uproar (6) .. ..8 7 4204 Winkles (8) .. ..8 5 2111 Jack Ashore (10) .. 8 3 0300 Arrow Royal (1) ..7 9 0 Direct Passage (11) ..7 8 4000 Hurry Alon£ (9) ..7 7 0140 Lake Gilpin (4) ..7 7 0 Private Angelo (7) ..7 7 1400 Salmiranda (5) ..7 7 0400 Stentor (3) .. ..7 7 0300 Winning Treasure (12) .. 7 7 Bracket: Winkles and Salmiranda. Wingatui Riders Riding engagements, with the exception of the double races, for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting to-1 morrow include:— R. J. Skelton: Shadrach, Silver Spring. Minglow, Silver King, Wondon. F. H. Skelton: Tudor Queen, Master David, Settler. B. P. Kennedy: The Tongs, Wardroom, Pandion Rutanui, Lady Veronica, Sabin, R. J. Mackie: Panel, Sway, Vamoose. C. McDonald: McCool. M. Hazelwood: Plunder. K. Berry: Rangi Aroha.