Starlit Excells In Ellerslie Gallop

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30631, 23 December 1964, Page 4

Starlit Excells In Ellerslie Gallop

“The Press' * Special Service AUCKLAND. Dec. 22. The Hastings filly, Starlit, galloped exceptionally well over half a mile at Ellerslie this morning in preparation for the Newmarket Handicap on Saturday. Although never at top, she did far and away the best time for the distance. Royal Request, Blyton and the two-year-old, Viola, were others to attract the closest attention. Royal Request went fast over six furlongs with his stablemate, Gauntlet, Blyton covered a mile, and Viola three furlongs. Galloping was done on the course proper, about 45 feet out. Starlit, ridden by G. F. Hughes, sprinted half a mile in 48 2-5, the last three furlongs effortlessly in 37 4-5. It was a fine galiop. Although she is not very big. Starlit is as game as can be. She must be given a great chance in the big sprint on Saturday. In her last start Starlit chased Trial Offer home in

the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham. She travelled north on Monday and came through her trip well. When she last visited Ellerslie, Starlit was ridden by G. F. Hughes. This time G. R. Edge has the mount. Going Boldly

Royal Request (Andrews) was going boldly alongside Gauntlet (Campbell) at the end of six furlongs in 1:18, the last three strongly in 39 4-5. He is one of Starlit’s rivals in the Newmarket Handicap, but might find the six furlongs a trifle short*. All going well he will tackle a mile in the George Adams Handicap on the fourth day.

Blyton (Jury) galloped a mile, the last seven furlongs in 1:32 3-5 and the last six with Clipjoint (Hughes) in 1:18 2-5. Blyton has really thrived since running sixth in the Waipa Turf Plate at Te Awamutu. Has Recovered

She may be the one to test Golden Defoe in the Queen Elizabeth Handicap. Clipjoint has fully recovered from her recent set-

back. Two starts back she was a handsome winner over seven furlongs at Trentham. She meets some class gallopers in the Christmas Handicap, but might nevertheless run very prominently.

Viola (Hughes), a filly by Chatsworth II from Olivia, showed great speed from the stalls on the two-year-old track. She went with First Rank (Proud), but was far too good, completing her task in 35 3-ssec. Viola is to make her debut in the second division of the Goodwood Stakes. There is no doubting she is a filly of class.

Should Be Handy

Merrymen (Walters), carrying a fair weight, left half a mile behind in 49 4-ssec, the last three furlongs in 37 4-ssec. A colt by Tip The Bottle from Hunters Ferry, Merrymen looks to be improving. He is a candidate for the Breeders’ Plate and is likely to be handy at the finish.

Travel Along (Burke), another of the local youngsters in the Breeders’ Plate, went evenly over half a mile in 50 2-ssec. Lucid (Burke) went very fast over a mile in Imin 45 3 ssec. the last seven furlongs in Imin 31 2-ssec.

Great Command (Hughes), whose mission is the Queen's Plate on the fourth day, worked around from the seven furlongs sprinting the last three in 38 2-ssec. He has done well since his win over 11 furlongs at Te Aroha. Miser. (F. Ritchie), a candidate for the Great

Northern Derby, went evenlj’ over three furongs in 43sec.

Hurdling Debut

Dry Martini, which has been disappointing on the flat is likely to make his debut to hurdling in the Auckland Hack Hurdles on the second day of the meeting. This morning Dry Martini (Waiters) jumped two fences on the inside of the course safely and then ran five furlongs in Imin S 4-ssec, the last four with Old And - Bold (Collett) in 55 4-ssee.

Before he makes his hurdling debut Dry Martini is to contest the mile Christmas Handicap on the first day.

The three-year-old. Bottle Top, looked to he nearing his peak when he sprinted fast over half a mile on the course proper. It is only recently that Bottle Top (Tip The Bottle—Princess Filou) returned from an unsuccessful Australian campaign and joined M. Conway’s stable at Waiuku.

Could Have Thrived

He did not do as well as expected when in Australia but he looks to have thrived since his return. Ridden by B. F. Andrews. Bottle Top ran half a mile with Sir Oman (Jury) in 49 2-ssec, the last three furlongs in 37 4-ssec.

Last season Bottle Top was one of the very good youngsters in the north. From five starts he won three times and gained a minor placing. He is to start his second season of racing in the Dominion in the Newmarket Handicap on Saturday. Court Raid (Campbell), which is also with Conway, ran three furlongi ip 41 1-Siec,