APA RUNS BRILLIANT MILE AT AWAPUNI

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30588, 3 November 1964, Page 5

APA RUNS BRILLIANT MILE AT AWAPUNI

“The Press’’ Special Service

PALMERSTON N., Nov. 2.

Apa galloped brilliantly over a mile at Awapuni today in preparation for the President’s Handicap at the Napier Park meeting at Hastings on Wednesday. He shaded the New Zealand Cup candidate, Alaska, in one of the best mile gallops recorded here for a long time. Pizzicato, Tilly Light, Acapulco and Ameera were others to go well.

On the inside trial Apa was doing slightly better than Alaska at the end of a mile in Imin 41 l-ssec, the last three furlongs in 38 4-ssec. It was a brilliant effort by Apa and one which should rocket him to favouritism for the first leg this week. He appears back to his best again and his record on the Hastings course is a fine one.

Alaska will leave tomorrow morning for Riccarton. No rider has been engaged for him in the Cup. Vivid Light and Tilly Light went fast over seven furlongs in Imin 30sec, the last three In 37 4-ssec. Tilly Light has thrived since Trentham and he could be one of the hardest for Apa to beat in the first leg. Vivid Light makes his first appearance for some time in the high-weight. He is forward. Fine Time sprinted half a mile In 49sec, the last three in 36 4-ssec, but she will have to go better than she did at Bulls to have a chance at the Napier Park meeting. Hi-Ho, which races in maiden class on Wednesday and could have a chance, ran half a mile in SOsec. Acapulco sprinted the last half-mile of his work in 49Jsec, the last three furlongs in 37sec. On his Trentham form he is entitled to a winning chance in the first leg this week.

Pizzicato shaded Ameera at the end of half a mile in 49 2-ssec, the last three furlongs in 36 l-ssec. Pizzicato failed badly at Trentham, but her work since has been good and she is a chance in the Welcome Stakes at Riccarton. Ameera is the form runner for the Debutante Handicap on Wednesday.