RACING Royal Leigh Fit For Sprint At Ashburton

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30043, 30 January 1963, Page 5

RACING Royal Leigh Fit For Sprint At Ashburton

Royal Leigh and Fonteroy won five-furlong barrier trials on the outside of the course proper at Riccarton yesterday and firmed in favour for engagements at Ashburton on Saturday. Royal Leigh won the first sprint by three lengths from Mhor, and Fonteroy had a clear lead from Misjudge and Mutineer finishing the second trial.

Ridden by the stable apprentice, A. Reriti, Royal Leigh was in the front line from the start in his division, but he had little on Magician and Standout until those two-year-olds were eased after half a mile.

Mhor, which will not race until the Royal meeting at Riccarton, was a clear second to Royal Leigh, and the stablenates High Score and Arouse •rere abreast next

Fonteroy, ridden by the light-weight, K Reggett made all the running in the second trial from the starting gate, and was galloping easily with a lead of a little more than a length on Misjudge at the finish.

Mutineer was third, and going well at the end just in front of Hullabaloo. Impressive Fonteroy easily won the Albury Maiden Stakes at Washdyke on December 31 when making his first start and has not raced since. He should be hard to beat in the Fairfield Hack Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday. Tansy and Zero, acceptors for minor races at Ashburton. ran one of the fastest trials of the morning on the plough yesterday. They dashed over seven furlongs in Imin 29sec. the opening four in 50sec. Tansy, with E. G. Low up. carried more weight than Zero, which was ridden by K. Reggett One of M. J. Wadley's team, Tanzy is in the Autumn Improvers’ Handicap at Ashburton.

N. Cowles will ride Zero in the Longbeach Highweight

Picright (M. Skelton) and Compensate (T. Wilson) recorded Imin 44 3-ssec for a mile. Paua (A. Swanston) joined in for the last six furlongs, run in Imin 17 3-ssec. They finished a good gallop on terms.

Picright and Paua, both from A. J. Williams's stable, are form runners for the main races at Ashburton. French Leave (C. T. Wilson) and Count Pedro (W. Humphries) sprinted seven furlongs in Imin 29 4-Ssec, the final three in 38 4-ssec.

Marlborough (Wildermoth) and Pleasant Ways (McCann) took Imin 33sec for seven furlongs. They were followed at a stronger pace by Donna Gola (Quayle) and Polly Alonzo (Martin), which recorded Imin 29 l-ssec. Donna Gola had a high-weight rider up-

Studio (Reggett) and Gracefield’s Pride (Wildennoth) finished seven furlongs abreast in Imin 31 l-ssec, the final three in 39 3-5.;”C.

They will meet in the Ttnwald Handicap at Ashburton, but neither will be solidly fancied on form. Share (Williams) and Moorooka (M. Skelton) sprinted seven furlongs in Imin 34sec.

the first furlong easily, the final three briskly in 38 l-5sec. Seaend (Low) ran three furlongs in 42 2-5sec. The two-year-old Dulu (McCann), which is engaged at Ashburton, followed in 39 4-5sec. Fresh Start Derailment (Cowles) sprinted six furlongs, the final three in 39 3-5sec. After a break from racing for a few

weeks, he will make a fresh start against the sprinters at Ashburton. Vault (Taggart), a form runner for the Eiffelton Stakes at Ashburton, dashed home from the three furlongs in 37 l-ssec.

Picca Leigh did one of the best sprints on the trial grass, which was firm, and in little demand. With J. Messent up, Picca

Leigh reeled off three furl longs in 36 l-ssec. She should be hard to beat in the Fairfield Hack Handicap ■ at Ashburton.

Pigling Bland (Beck) sprinted half a mile in 51 3-ssec. He whipped around as he went on to the track, and dropped Beck. The Riccarton jockey, who was already nursing an injured leg, was unable to ride any other gallops. Candida (Reggett) led her stablemate, Begame (Low), by half a length after running seven furlongs, the last four in 50 3-ssec. M. J. Wadley’s pair are form runners for engagements at Ashburton.

McCool (Low) ran half a mile easily in 52 4-ssec. He is being prepared for the Tinwald Handicap at Ashburton, followed by a start at the Royal meeting at Riccarton.