ARK ROYAL FIT

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

ARK ROYAL FIT

Good Prospect For Cup

“The Press* Special Service WELLINGTON, January 13. Without exerting himself, Ark Royal drew attention to his Wellington Cup prospects by the manner in which he worked at Trentham this morning. He is in harder condition than .on his previdua Vlsltt to Tifentham and looks well trained Kmkis assignment on Saturday. Other contenders the- Wellington Cup which Impressed by their appearance while doing easy tasks were Summer Glow, Yeman, Royal Jester and Passive. Of the fast workers the best were Piccola, Blonde Sprite and the two-year-old. Huka Falls, all of which were restricted to sprint*. Rain fen throughout the trials, but it did not. affect the going, the outside of the course proper, where most of the trials took place, providing perfect footing. Ridden by his trainer, A. 1. Powell, Ark Royal ran easily from the seven furlongs to the half-mile and then increased the pace to come home in Msec, the last three furlongs taking 39 4-ssec. Ark Royal regained his best form during the holidays and he has his big chance to prove himself over two miles this week. Summer Glow, Yeman and Royal Jester were let off with light work on the trial grass. Summer Glow appears to have thrived since «he outclassed the Pahiatua Cup field a week agoShe has a good record at Trentham and on her latest showing she must be rated as a good Wellington Cup prospect , a Royal Jester is not carrying as much condition as he was when here in October, but his form at the Auckland meeting was promising. The winner of the Wellington Cup a year ago, Yeman, has never looked better. After recent rain the conditions will be good for him on Saturday.

Passive (Joyce) was keen to increase the pace while doing easy work and she completed the last three furlongs in 40sec. In appearance she is not far from her best. Another visitor which impressed while doing light work was Jalna. She won the Desert . Gold Stakes in October and since then she has won the Great Northern Oaks. She should put the colts and geldings to the test in the Gloaming Stakes on the second day on Monday. The leading two-year-old. Gayfair, with the other members of F. and G. W. Smith’s team, was let off with an . easy task. He looks ready to atone for tils Foal Stakes defeat in the Wellington Stakes. PiccoJa (Wilkins) recorded the best half-mile when she left the distance behind in 49sec, the last three furlongs taking 36 4-ssec- She will contest the Komako Hack Handicap at the Ashhurst meeting on MonPrinceton (Wilkins) was slightly ahead of Northwestern (Wyatt) after running half a mile in coming from the three furlongs in 38 l-ssec. Northwestern is unbeaten in his last two starts and is handily drawn in the Pencarrow Hack Handicap. On the course proper Huka Falls (Robinson), after making acquaintance with the Wood starting gates in company with Woo, showed brilliance to leave three furlongs behind in 35sec. She is likely to contest the Wellington Stakes in preference to the Fitzherbert Handicap. Blonde Sprite Blonde Sprite (Dixon) galloped half a mile pleasingly in 50 2-ssec, the last three furlongs taking 37 2-5 sec. Blonde Sprite raced well during the holidays and is at the peak of her form to attempt her second Wellington Stakes win. Her stablemate. Petty Officer (Woodham) ran the last three of an easy six furlongs In 39 4-ssec. Comte de Paris (Wiggins) and Pinnace (Wylie) were not after time over six furlongs, the last four taking 53sec and the .last three 38 4-5 sec. The two-year-old Kirkfield (Wilkins) ran half a mile in 51 3-5 sec, coming from the three furlongs in 37 3-ssec. Kirklea (Wylie) followed over the same ground In 51 sec. She took 37 4-ssec for the final three furlongs. Clinker (Robinson) was not alter time while running the last halfmile of his work in 53sec, the final three furlongs in 38sec. Dearwood (Hillis) was not required to do better than 55 L-Esec for half a mile. She ran the last three furlongs in 41sec. The Southern visitor, Minglow came the last half-mile of five furlongs in 51 4-ssec. She was under a good hold over the last three furlongs in 38 l-ssec. My Lulu (Wylie), looking improved as a result of her initial race experience at Tauherenikau, ran half a mile comfortably in 52 sec, the last three furlongs in 37 2-5 sec. Arjamand (Dixon) and Horomia (Wylie) were together throughout half a mile in 52sec, coming from the three furlongs in 38sec.