Roman Maid Fast In Sprint Trial

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 4

Roman Maid Fast In Sprint Trial

Roman Maid showed something like her best speed, which is considerable, m a solo six-furlong trial on the No. 8 grass at Riccarton yesterday. Her smart gallop held much promise for 'her chances in the Ronald Macdonald Handicap, second leg of the double at the North Canterbury Racing Club’s meeting.

Plans to open the outside of the course proper were changed after overnight rain. The No. 8 grass gave firm footing, but the siting of some of the trestles left little room at times when there was a fair amount of activity on the trackindividual times slightly flattered all trial ists horses had to be timed on pegs on the No. 7 grass. Roman Maid was ridden by stable apprentice G. R. Baldwin in her strong solo sprint. She finished six furlongs going keenly in Imin 15 4-ssec, and ran her final three in 38 l-ssec.

She looks ready for one of her best races at the North Canterbury meeting. Gay Tommy (W. Beck) and Coral Ring (A. H. Eastwood). rival candidates for the President’s Handicap, ran one of the fastest miles of the morning. They finished a mile on terms in Imin 43 l-ssec. and recorded 39 3-ssec for the last three furlongs. In his present form and, fitness Gay Tommy should take beating in the President's Handicap.

Mile Trial Later the stablemates King Lear (K. Reggett) and Balance <N. Eastwood) also ran a mile .in Imin 43 l-ssec. Balance broke away in front, but was restrained and King Lear was alongside him well inside the first furlong. They sprinted the last three furlongs in 39 3-ssec. Vestment Lady (P. J Kempton) and Packwood (A. J. Stokes) recorded Imin 43 4-ssec for their mile. They quickened nicely for the last three furlongs, run in 37 3-ssec.

Vestment Lady hung badly early in the trial, but finished alongside her stablemate. Matauwhi (K. Reggett) showed his fitness for the Ronald Macdonald Handicap in- a smart six-furlong trial. He dashed home in Imin 15 2-ssec after reeling off the first three furlongs in 37 2-ssec.

Reggett will ride Matauwhi in the Ronald Macdonald Handicap. I Omaha (F. H. Skelton) sprinted six furlongs in Imin 20 I-ssec, quickening for the last three in 38sec.

The successful Wingatui apprentice, R. N. Marsh, will ride Omaha in the President's Handicap. Zetland Leigh (O. Anning) was going well two lengths clear of Royal Return (T. Wilson), and Kakanui <G'. R. Baldwin) was in a gap at the rear, finishing six furlongs in Imin 16 3-ssec, the opening three in 37 l-ssec.

Higli-Weiglit Fancy The stablemales Corduroy (C. T. Wilson) and Abduction (R. B. Taggart) were abreast finishing six furlongs in Imin 16sec. It was an improved gallop by Abduction, and convincing evidence of

Corduroy’s fitness for the high-weight at Riccarton. He will probably be favourite. Kastanea (T. Wilson) ran six furlongs comfortably m Imin 18 4-ssec, and the final three in 38 3-ssec. El Toro CM. J. Skelton) outpaced County Kildare (R. J. Blair) for six furlongs, and won the gallop by two lengths in Imin 17 l-ssec. El Toro soon went clear; he dashed over the opening three furlongs in 37 3-ssec. Kelp (B. Collins) had a slight lead from Thumper (G. R. Baldwin) finishing six furlongs in Imin 18 2-ssec. the last three in 38 4-ssec. They will meet in the President's Handicap at the North Canterbury meeting.

The stablemates, Kamal (R. B. Taggart), Her Ex <C. T. Wilson, and Happy Holiday (A. H. Eastwood) recorded Imin 17 2-ssec for six furlongs after running the opening three in 38sec.

Timna (A. J. Stokes) and Balrannach <N. Cowles) were abreast throughout six furlongs in Imin 18 2-ssec. They quickened impressively to run the last three furlongs in 37 2-ssec.

Rondar (K. Reggett) had a pull in the weights in her six-furlong gallop with Herbs <G. W. Mein) and finished half a length clear in Imin 18 3-ssec. Rondar is a nonwinner, but a form runner for the Oxford Hack Handicap. She was narrowly beaten at Nelson on Monday.

Safe Harbour <T. McGill) unhurriedly sprinted six furlongs in Imin 21 l-ssec.

Stradbroke <N. Eastwood) followed in Imin 19sec.

Valaris Fit

Valaris (M. J. Skelton) did a round of pace work, and then sprinted six furlongs in Imin 16 4-ssec. He sprinted the last three keenly in 36 4-ssec, and shaped as if he has thrived on his racing at the Marlborough and Nelson meetings. Golden Aureole (G. R Baldwin) and Sun-end (Miss F. Kerr) appeared to be fairly well matched over six furlongs. Thej- recorded Imin 16 4-ssec. and 33sec for the last three. Navarone (K. Reggett) led Offend (P. Graham) by three parts of a length finishing six furlongs in Imin 18 2-ssec, the last three in 38 l-ssec. Navarone looks ready for a solid effort in the President’s Handicap. Forsythe (N. Cowles) ran home from the six furlongs in Imin 19 4-ssea. Cowles will ride him ih the Okuku Hack Handicap. Blonde Sprite (A. J. Stokes) led High Treasure (L. McGuire) by a length finishing half a ,pile, the last three furlongs in 38sec. Tui Hill (R: B. Taggart) was a length better than Toa (G. W. Mein) and was well clear of Golden Retriever (T. McGill) after running five furlongs, the last three in 38sec. Tui Hill ran solid races at Riccarton at Easter and may take beating in the Ashley Maiden No. 2 tomorrow.

Corowa (N. Eastwood) led Paua (M. Wildermoth) by a length and a half, and Prospero (G. W. Mein) was in a small gap at the rear ending six furlongs in Imin 19 l-ssec Hullabaloo (G. W. Mein) and Days Bay (M. Wiidermoth) recorded Imin 19 3-ssec. Olympic Flame (A. J. Stokes) followed in Imin 18 l-ssec. the last three in 40sec.

Gambol (K. Reggett) led her stablemate On Time (N. Cowles) by a length and a half after running six furlongs in Imin 22 4-ssec. They quickened for the last three furlongs in 39sec. Garbett (N. Cowles) jumped fast and cleanly in a run over six hurdles, and finished two lengths clear of Plassowa <T. Wilson).

Plassowa did not go at all badly for a little-experienced jumper, and was upsides with Garbett over the first two flights.