RACING Rayspar Shows Ability In Fast Sprint

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28793, 14 January 1959, Page 4

RACING Rayspar Shows Ability In Fast Sprint

Rayspar might represent Riccarton with distinction in the Pencarrow Hack Handicap at Trentham on Saturday. He could hardly be fitter for that race, judged by the way he sprinted six furlongs at Riccarton yesterday.

Ridden by A. H. Eastwood, Rayspar was going well alongside Her Ex (C. T. Wilson) at the end of their trial about 22 feet out on the course proper.

They sped over the distance in Imin 14 I-ssec and the last half mile in 50 l-ssec. Rayspar carried much less weight than Het' Ex, but the latter is an open-class performer. Rayspar had luck in the barrier draw for the Pencarrow Handicap. He will start from No. 1. Several better-performed opponents will start rather wide and victory usually eludes horses with outside positions at this barrier at Trentham. Montreux (C. T. Wilson), one of Rayspar’s rivals on Saturday, sprinted six furlongs in Imin 17sec and was very keen to increase speed from the start. She ran her last half mile stylishly in 50 l-ssec-She has obviously thrived since she won at Washdyke last month. Motueka (J. Quigley) worked away from the mile and joined Rustic (L. J. Ellis) going to the five furlongs. They sprinted home from the half mile in 51 4-ssec, running abreast all the way. Motueka is standing up to racing well His next start will be at Trentham on Monday. The stablemates. Royal Avon <R. B. Taggart) and Ration Time (C. T. Wilson) appeared to be fairly evenly matched over a mile. They ran the distance to Imin 47 4-ssec, quickening to record 52 2-ssec for the last half mile. Bragum’s Sprint Braganza <W. Hanlin) sprinted half a mile in Slsec, and did his work well He may be a match for the best of his northern rivals to the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham on Saturday. Other Trentham candidates were, on the plough, which gave fast footing. Lucky Time (A. H. Eastwood) led Solaris (K. Reggett) by two lengths, finishing six furlongs in Imin 15sec. Lucky Time went strongly to the end, and ran the last half mile in 47 4-ssec. Her holiday form was disappointing, but she showed ability in

winning at Hororata earlier in December, and her training work lately has been of a good standard.

Purser (T. Wilson) was restrained to take 55 l-ssec for half a mile. He showed great zest for his work and if he travels well he should be at a high peak of fitness for the Wellington Club’s Anniversary Handicap. Two Lengths Lead

Hopeful (L. McGuire) led Fern (N. V. Cowles) by two lengths finishing five furlongs in Imin 2 4-ssec.

Hopeful recorded 50 3-ssec for the last half mile. He was too fast for Fern at this distance, but the Underwood mare was starting to reduce his lead near the end.

Hopeful is in the Pencarrow Hack Handicap at Trentham on Saturday. Fern has been taken north for longer races for hacks later at the meeting. Post (K. Reggett) did two rounds of pace work on the plough, finishing with three furlongs in 44 2-ssec. He will be given a more testing trial at Trentham tomorrow.

The Oamaru trainer, J. C. Hobbs, gave Compensate pace work on the plough. Compensate’s stablemates, Brown Watch and Arc Flight, also did striding work on the plough. Imitation did light exercise on the sand. His Trentham ownertrainer, A. E. L. McMullan, travelled north with him last evening.