Strong Northern Contingent Impressive At Trentham

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29765, 7 March 1962, Page 4

Strong Northern Contingent Impressive At Trentham

“The Press" Special Service

WELLINGTON, March 6. A strong northern contingent has arrived at Trentham for the Wellington Racing Club’s autumn meeting, which opens on Saturday.

Most of them were let off with ligfht exercise this morning to allow them to recover from travelling.

Marwon, in particular, impressed by his condition. He is small but he has any amount of courage, as he showed when he finished third in the Wellington Cup. Since then he has been given time to freshen and has had sufficient racing to have him at his peak for the Autumn Handicap this week. An easing of the track, which appears likely, will be to the advantage of Marwon. He won the Great Northern St. Leger Stake on soft ground and has been moving gingerly on firm footing in his latest outings. He will be ridden by J. F. Grylls on Saturday.

Other northern visitors which were let off with easy tasks included Lord Sasanof, Jan Beebe, El Baruk, Bargoed, Don Palatine, Torrid Time, Commodore Roberts, Gold Chick, Lavish Countess. Prince Argon and Winnipeg 11. Lord Sasanof is in excellent order. After being the glamour horse in the north in the late spring and summer, Lord Sasanof was beaten in his two latest attempts. He has had tone to freshen and should be capable of a bold bid in the North Island Challenge Stakes. His clash with Rochdale at weight-for-age should be the feature of Saturday’s racing. ABOVE ORDINARY Jan Beebe looks as well as she did T>n her last visit to Trentham in January, when she raced with distinction. She has drawn wide in the Plunket Nursery Handicap, but with an almost straight run, her pace should ensure her taking a big hand in the finish. A daughter of the former good galloper Syntax, Jan Beebe gives the impression that she is a filly much above the ordinary. She has form to support that opinion.

El Baruk. a full-brother to the top-flight sprinter Melanion, is taking time to reach form, but his latest placing, a third at Te Aroha. suggested he was on the verge of adding to his family’s record. With a handy draw and 8-2 he looks capable of making a bold showing in the Tinakori Hack Handicap, especially as many of his betterperformed rivals have drawn wide at the barrier, a big disadvantage at the seven furlong start at Trentham. Another northerner which impressed by his appearance was the two-year-old Gold Chick. He has not raced since the Wellington summer meeting, when he finished fourth in the Wellington Stakes and second to Tara's Pride in the Nursery Handicap. He was well beaten on the latter occasion, but he defeated the remainder more easily. He is at the head of the Plunket Nursery Handicap, but weight makes little difference to juveniles. A reproduction of his latest performances would make him prominent in Saturday’s finish. ON TRIAL GRASS

Galloping this morning took place on the trial grass, which was in good order after rein during the night. The two-year-olds Aloft and Dacron were seen to advantage, and Spartacus drew attention to his prospects in the Ngaio High-weight by the manner in which he completed half a mile. Aloft (Andrews) was doing better than Ascalon (Moynihan) at the end of half a mile in 51 2-ssec, the final three furlongs taking 37sec. Aloft has not been in work long after a spell, but he appears forward. He showed promise earlier in the season, but he faces a severe test in the Plunket Nursery Handicap.

Dacron (Moynihan) was travelling well alongside White Realm (Veitch) at the end of half a mile in 51 3-ssec, the final three furlongs being run in 37 l-ssec. Any deterioration in the conditions will be to the advantage of Dacron, which has been* racing consistently lately without the best of luck. He is gaining strength with age and could be an upsetting factor in the Plunket Nursery Handicap. Looking better than at any previous stage Spartacus (Leggett) ran half a mile in 52sec, coming from the three furlongs in 37 4-ssec, finishing full of running. His form at the Wellington summer meeting entitles him to respect in the Ngaio Highweight, particularly as he does best when fresh.

High Mark (Parsell) loafed over half a mile in 55sec, but she increased the pace over the final three furlongs in 40sec. A well-bred four-year-old mare. High Merk has had only four starts for two wins. She scored narrowly but impressively on the opening day at the Egmont meeting, her last start. She had a wide barrier draw to overcome in the Tinakori Hack Handicap. FORM RUNNER Gay Gavotte (Wyatt) ran three furlongs in 39sec. She is a form runner in the Tinakori Hack Handicap, having scored narrowly at Te Rapa at her last start. Showing appreciation of the' easier ground, Donna Bella (Wylie) ran three furlongs in 37sec. She is in firstclass order to return to form the first time she races on a track with the sting out of it

Crusoe (Veitch) finished well clear of Confer (Wilkins) at the end of half a mile in 55sec, the final three furlongs in 41sec. Princess Donna (Wylie) was three lengths ahead of Dame Donnington (Bailey) after running half a mile in 52 3-ssec, the'final three furlongs taking 38 3-ssec. Princess Donna, which has been racing consistently, will show better form when the ground eases.