El Ganador Goes Strongly In Work At Awapuni

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

El Ganador Goes Strongly In Work At Awapuni

"The Press" Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH, Dec. 22. El Ganador, a nonstarter in the Manawatu Cup on Saturday because of the easy ground, showed that he has held his condition when he worked soundly at Awapuni today in his semi-final trial for this week’s Caltex Handicap.

El Ganador ran a working mile with Ardlui, and although the time was not fast, El Ganador was doing his work comfortably at the finish. The weather looks improved this week and firmer ground is likely for the second day. This will suit El Ganador.

The visitor, Straight Irish, indicated that his first day race has improved him when he ran freely over six furlongs with Alaska. Others to come through useful tasks included Kenrick Mattiwilda, Customs, Deputy, Noranda, Sundeed, To Reign, My Contact and Woodwitch. Hard To Beat

On the course proper where the going was dead El Ganador was going strongly alongside Ardlui at the end of a mile in Imin 54sec. They took 42sec for the last three furlongs and could have gone faster. El Ganador will strip in excellent conditions on Saturday, and he must be hard to beat.

Straight Irish was shading Alaska at the finish of six furlongs in Imin 22 3-ssec, the last three in 41 3-ssec. Straight Irish did his work freely, and his race in the Manawatu Cup has improved him. A. C. Messervy will be on him again in the Caltex Handicap.

Alaska seems to have recovered from the slight soreness which caused him to miss racing on the first day. His next race will probably be at the Pahiatua meeting next month.

To Reign and My Contact worked well for stayers over

half a mile in 52sec, the last three furlongs in 38 2-ssec. My Contact ran a fair race in the Cup and looks to have done well since, but the prospect of firmer ground for the Caltex Handicap may not suit him as well. Finished Ahead

Mattiwilda, which will probably race on the last day, was ahead of Customs at the end of half a mile in 50 1-5 sec, the last three furlongs in 37 l-ssec. It was the best half of the morning and

Mattiwilda looks to have derived benefit from her race in the Challenge Stakes. Customs will resume racing in the Kelvin Intermediate Handicap. He looks bright.

Deputy led throughout a mile gallop with Sail Away. Princess Merit and Clayton King and they finished in that order in Imin 49 2-ssec, the last six in Imin 21 4-ssec and the final three in 42sec. Deputy worked in his best style and he may go well if he gets back into the high-weight field. He finished a good fourth at Otaki in his last start and he beat the others most decisively today.

In Good Order

Young Margaret II was timed over half a mile in 52 3-ssec. the last three furlongs in 39 l-ssec. In a similar task Kenrick shaded Mycin in 52sec, the last tree furlongs in 39sec. Kenrick looks in good order to race on the final day.

Noranda recorded Imin 35 2-ssec for seven furlongs, the last six in Imin 21 3-ssec and the final three in 40 3-ssec. She looks bright following her Australian trip and she could be prominent in the Boron Handicap on Saturday.

Sundeed and Apa were both going well at the finish of seven furlongs in Imin 36sec, the last three in 41 3-ssec. Firmer ground this week could suit Apa better and Sundeed’s effort in the high-weight on the first day was useful enough to bring him into the reckoning for this week's event.

Woodwitch, a candidate for the final day, and Pizzicato were clear of Youngster at the finish of half a mile in 51 2-ssec. the last three furlongs in 38 2-ssec.