BLUE PATCH IMPRESSES IN TRENTHAM WORK

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29383, 9 December 1960, Page 4

BLUE PATCH IMPRESSES IN TRENTHAM WORK

“The Press” Special Service

WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. An excellent half-mile by Blue Patch was the feature of the limited fast work at Trentham this morning in preparation for the Otaki Maori Racing Club’s meeting on Monday. Final trials will take place on Saturday and most trainers were content to let their charges off with light tasks. Galloping took place on the trial grass, which was firm without having any sting in the going. Blue Patch (Biggs) left half a mile behind in 49 4-ssec, coming from the three furlongs in 36 4-ssec A maiden. Blue Patch is racing out of her class in the Waitohu Hack Handicap on Monday, but she has shown sufficient pace to be near the lead most of the way. Fresh Horse Rio Rapido (Shaw) ran half a mile easily in 53 4-ssec. He Joined Francis Gold (Sargent) at the three furlongs and was doing the better after coming from there in 38 4-ssec. Rio Rapido is fresh and as he races best in that state he should make his presence felt in the Kuku Novice. Blotter (Brom by) was not required to do better than 58sec for the first half of a mile. Given a little rein he ran the last half in 55sec. taking Imin 53sec for the full distance. The fastest part was the final three furlongs in 40 2-ssec.

Though Prince Argon (Cunningham) was a neck ahead of Kirklea (Treweek) after running an easy seven furlongs in Imin 36 l-ssec. the latter was doing her work much the easier. The last half-mile took 53 2-ssec and the final three fur3Bsec. A poor track galloper. Prince Argon also carried more weight. He looks as well now as he did at the New Zealand Cup meeting, where he won the Fendalton Handicap. Thelma May (Wilkins) completed pacework from the mile by sprinting from the three furlongs in 36 2-ssec, a good effort.