Ravelston Fit For Brabazon Handicap

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29269, 29 July 1960, Page 4

Ravelston Fit For Brabazon Handicap

Ravelston and Ben Ledi, stablemates and rival candidates for the Brabazon Handicap, brilliantly ran half a mile in 51 4-ssec on a heavy track at Riccarton yesterday.

They sprinted on the No. 1 grass, which was heavy and bare of grass in places. Ravelston was ridden by his race rider, H. T. Anderton, and P. Graham rode Ben Ledi.

Ben Ledi was a neck to the good at the finish, but Ravelston would have closed that lead in another stride or so. The second fastest half mile of the morning was 53 l-ssec, recorded by Coral Ring (A. H. Eastwood) when he beat Flagon (R. B. Taggart) by four lengths. Coral Ring ran very keenly under a light weight. Omaha (B. W. McDonald) top weight in the Camla Hack Handicap, finished half a mile three lengths clear of Gambol (N. Cowles) in 54 l-ssec. Gambol had a good weight up. Keep Time (P. J. Kempton) one of the first to gallop, took 58 2-ssec for half a mile along the back. Vestment Lady (F. H. Skelton) ran her half mile in 56 l-ssec, and Surrend (Miss F. Kerr) took 57 4-ssec. Sir Pedro (R. B. Taggart) led Detail (K. Reggett) by a length and a half, and they were both well clear of Abu El Saad (A. H. Eastwood) 'finishing half a mile in 56 l-ssec. Abu El Saad tailed off in tiie first furlong. Cheyenne (W. Hanlin) ran six furlongs in Imin 27 3-ssec, the last four in 57sec. Any drying in the track will brighten Cheyenne’s chance in the Brabazon Handicap. The stablemates Navarone (P. Graham) and Offend (E. B. Skelton) were abreast after running seven furlongs in Imin 41 l-ssec. the last half mile in 56 3-ssec. Offend went well under a good weight. Four Kings (K. Reggett) and Fair Catch (G. W. Mein) recorded Imin 25 4-ssec for the last six of seven furlongs and 56 l-ssec for the last half mile. Cairo News (W. Hanlin) and Sleat (P. J. Kempton) finished half a mile abreast in 57 2-ssec. Revolver (V. H. Simpson) jumped two hurdles neatly and Golden Defaulter (A. K. Lawrence) also went well over two flights. Then these two North Island hurdlers joined Nupla (G. O. Mudgway) for a mile gallop. Nupla led close to home,-but file hurdlers outfinished him.

They ran the mile in Imin 58 l-ssec and the last half in 56 4-ssec. A six-furlong trial was planned for Cheroot (J. M. Cappie) but he went away keenly from near the mile, and finished seven furlongs in Imin 42sec. He was restrained in the straight after running from the seven furlongs to the half mile in 42 2-ssec. Cheroot was at ease in the conditions, and will be one of the stronger fancies for the Camla Hack' Handicap, the first leg of the double. Shangri La (D. N. Hadfield) led Nairn Bridge (F. H. Skelton) by a neck ending half a mile in 53 3-ssec. It was a smart trial. Shangri La is a mudlark, and should make a good first impression at Riccarton in the Brabazon Handicap. West Bound (N. Eastwood) ran three' furlongs in 46sec. He is an attractive Treasure Hunt colt, and one of the form horses for the Haldon Stakes. The Invercargill jumpers. Tadpole (W. J. Hillis) and Capet (J. M. Cappie) did a working gallop over a mile and a quarter. Tadpole trailed for a start, but finished a length and a half clear. They took 2min 3-ssec for the last mile. Thumper (B. W. McDonald) and Kalan (G. Baldwin) were abreast clear of Last Link (P. J. Kempton) after running seven furlongs in Imin 39 3-ssec, the last half mile in 56 l-ssec. Last Link dropped behind two • furlongs out. Kaseno (N. Eastwood) and Gladwyn (G. W. Mein) recorded 58sec for their half mile. Magic Circle (N. Eastwood) sprinted half a mile in 55 l-ssec. Sajalite. ridden by his Tauranga trainer, N. Craig, took 58 2-ssec. He has fair form on winter tracks and may take beating In the Kennels Hack Handicap tomorrow. Patrick Molloy (G. O. Mudgway) and Tepeta (V. H. Simpson) worked away from the mile and a quarter and ran their last mile abreast in 2min 2sec.