WINGATUI TRIALS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29754, 22 February 1962, Page 4

WINGATUI TRIALS

Desert Chief Fit "The Press” Special Service DUNEDIN. February »• Desert Chief showed that he had come to no harm from his race on Saturday when he worked in an attractive manner at Wingatul this morning. He galloped kindly for his race rider, R. N. Marsh, settling down over the early stages to run the first two furlongs in Usee, then increasing the pace from the half mile to complete six furlongs in Imln 21 2-ssee. He was keen to run out the distance, sprinting the last three furlongs In 39 3-ssec.

Desert Chief was a fastfinishing fourth in the Otago Handicap last week after losing his poeition near the half mile. Although he has top weight of 9-4, Mr G. J. Barton's Ruthless five-year-old will be one of the best-supported runners in the Wingatul Handicap on Saturday. The fast work was held on the inside grass with the trestles about 20ft out. Conditions were ideal. Andalusia (R. N. Nash) appeared to be galloping well within herself when she sprinted home the last three furlongs in 41sec. A winner at Oamaru last month, Andalusia did not start in the sprint last week, but she will run in the February Handicap on Saturday. Her stablemate, Astra, is a doubtful runner in this event. Gay Fox. another candidate for the February Handicap was stiff in the near hind leg after rolling yesterday. Amuma (A. Tweedie) and Innuendo (B. P. Kennedy) were clear of Goldsmith Maid (R. N. Marsh) at the end of five furlongs in Imln 7 3-ssec the first two in 25 2-ssec. Amurna, a winner in novice class at Oamaru last June, made a fresh start recently and is engaged In the Valley Improvers' Handicap. Innuendo is a four-year-old half-sister by Underwood to Princess Finis, the dam of the good galloper Moy. She is due to have her third start in the novice stakes.

Feleka, ridden by his trainer. A. I. Powell, worked well over five furlongs on the plough in Imin 6 3-ssec, the first two furlongs in 26sec. Winner of three of his last four races, Feleka will start next at the Cromwell Jockey Club's centennial meeeting.