Harlech Impresses In Northern Trial

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30453, 29 May 1964, Page 5

Harlech Impresses In Northern Trial

“The Press!* Special. .Service

AUCKLAND, May 28. Harlech, a candidate for the Great Northern Hurdles, gave a much improved display over four hurdles on the course proper at Ellerslie this morning. On Tuesday he went very poorly, but today’s display was more in keeping with his good form over fences. Royal Ransom, one of Harlech’s rivals in the big hurdles, also went pleasingly over four hurdles. Sir David, a visitor from Pukekohe, travelled boldly over a round of the country.

Harlech (Cathro) finished clear of Tilly Light (Cooksley) over four hurdles on the outside of the course proper. Apart from running around at the last fence Harlech gave a faultless display. Straight afterwards both horses ran five furlongs on the No. 1 grass with Harlech clear at the post In Imin lOsec. Harlech was blowing hard at the finish, but that was understandable as he did his work at a good pace; • Could Be Danger Although beaten by Harlech, Tilly Light shaped Satisfactorily. It was his first try over hurdles at Ellerslie. He looks hard in condition. If the ground is not too heavy he will be dangerous in the Great Northern Hurdles. Royal Ransom (Sutherland) was slightly ahead of Golden Trumpet (Cathro) and Acquittal (Cooksley) over four hurdles. Royal Ransom took his fences at a good pace and went very keenly. A winner in two of his last three races, Royal Ransom, on his showing today, would be a good light-weight on Satur-. day. He is to be ridden by P. R. Wilson, who was successful on Quenby Hall in the Waikato Steeplechase a couple of weeks ago. Sir David (Short) went over 14 fences of the country, the last nine with Alpine Queen (Walters) and Prime Cut (heavy-weight). Putting on the pace, Sir David led his' companions throughout. He handles the Ellerslie country well. Looks Very Fit Prejudice (Cooksley), a visitor from Taupo and a candidate for the Greenlane Steeplechase, jumped the three steeplechase fences in the middle of the course safely. He has come north looking extremely fit. The Frenchman (F. Ritchie) shaped poorly over five hurdles. After beginning with his stablemate Tontine (Hunt) The Frenchman was soon well behind. He jumped slowly and showed little speed on the flat. On the other hand Tontine gave a polished display. Solid half-miles by Maimoa and Fascinate and a useful gallop over a mile by the stablemates and Great Northern Hurdles candidates, Goa and Mireusonta, were features of work on the No. 1 grass, Has Improved Maimoa (Hughes) got to the end of half a mile in 51 2-ssec, the last three furlongs in 89 l : ssec; She Seems to have improved.

Ballador (Cooksley) galloped six furlongs in Imin 21 l-ssec, the last half-mile with Fascinate (Harris) in 51 2-ssec. They kept • together for the first couple of furlongs, but then Fascinate drew awav. At the post she was going nicely two' or three lengths to the good. For a -steeplechase horse Ballador’s work was good. He forms a strong bracket in .the Greenlane Steeplechase with Prejudice. Toureg (Messervy) revelled in the conditions while going three furlongs in 38 3-ssec. His stablemate, Nice Peter (Mpsservy), covered the same dis-tance-in 38 3-ssec. Both look al peak condition. Goa (Harris) and Onta (Cooksley) travelled keenly over a mile in Imin 48sec, the last seven furlongs in Imin 21sec and the last half in 54sec. Goa, with the inside running, appeared to be travelling well at the finish. Tardini (Cathro) was well held over half a mile in 53 Z-ssec, the last three furlongs in 40sec.

Reeco Destroyed "The Press’’ Special Service DUNEDIN, May 28. Reeco, a four-year-old son of Resurgent, was destroyed this week after a paddock accident on the property of his Mosgiel owner, Mr C. G. Robinson. The winner of two races and third to Seaend and Cobble in the 1962 Dunedin Guineas, Reeco was trained by H. A. Anderton. He was a half brother to the successful hurdler, Bador.