Golden Blossom Is Fit For Hack Sprint

Press, Volume C, Issue 29702, 21 December 1961, Page 4

Golden Blossom Is Fit For Hack Sprint

“The Press’* Special Service DUNEDIN, December 20. Golden Blossom gave her trainer, D. P. Wilson, some concern when she fell on the road last week, but she showed that she had fully recovered when she recorded the best trial at Wingatui this morning.

It was her final gallop in her preparation for the Mornington Handicap at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday. Ridden by her race rider, R. J. Skelton, Golden Blossom worked in an impressive manner over five furlongs on the plough in Imin 4 3-ssec, the last three furlongs in 40sec. Mr J. M. Samson’s Targui mare has started only twice this season for a third and a win in maiden class. She has shown ability above average and although she has drawn fairly wide she is the likely favourite for the hack sprint on Saturday. Irrepressibal (R. J. Pledger) could have improved on her effort over the same ground in Imin 5 3-ssec, the final three furlongs in 40 3-ssec. She looks particularly well to make a fresh start in tbe Flying Handicap and although her best form has been shown over more ground it would not be surprising if she showed up over six furlongs. Not Extended Cluny Bill (R. J. Skelton) was not extended in Imin 6sec, the first two furlongs in

25 3-ssec. No rider has yet been engaged for the Callander gelding in the Mornington Handicap. The other gallops were held on the course proper with the trestles 40 feet out. The track was hard and fast with a good sole of grass. Desert Chief <B. E. Kennedy) was under restraint when he worked over five furlongs in Imin 8 2-ssec. the last half mile in 53 2-ssec and the last three furlongs in 40sec. He looks bright and has thrived since his unlucky second in the Metropolitan at Riccarton. He could be the one to upset calculations in the James Hazlett Gold Cup. Andalusia <C. W. Campbell) put dash into her work when she drew three lengths clear of King’s Tax <B. E. Kennedy) in Imin 7sec, the last two furlongs in 26 3-ssec. Andalusia is a light-weight candidate for the Flying Handicap, . Mighty Smart (R. N. Marsh) and Bador <F. Henneberry) were together over half a mile in 52 3-ssec. the opening furlong in 12 3-ssec. Bador is a last-start winner engaged in the President's Handicap. Fresh Start Mighty Smart has not raced since he was placed at the Dunedin spring meeting. He will make a fresh start in the Warrington High-weight. Magic Casement, which struck a trestle when working on Saturday, is a doubtful runner in the Mornington Handicap, and according to his Waimate trainer, P. H. R. Andrews. Tarmine will not start in the President's Handicap. W. D. Skelton has now been engaged to ride Rustle in the President’s Handicap. Additional riders are:—

B. P. Kennedy: Summer Star. D. N. Hadfield: Andalusia. G. W. Wright: Pahi. R. N. Marsh: Dervale. W. H. Beck: Yearly. F. Henneberry: Calsol.