Straight Irish Shows Up In Trial At Awapuni

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30643, 8 January 1965, Page 4

Straight Irish Shows Up In Trial At Awapuni

PALMERSTON NORTH. Straight Irish’s easy victory over his rival Pahiatua Cup candidate, Alaska, was the highlight of the final trials at Awapuni yesterday. Narbada, . Fast Company and Tasman Lad were others to acquit themselves well in a relatively quiet morning. On the course proper, Straight Irish beat Alaska by eight lengths over seven furlongs in Imin 34sec, the last three in 40 2-ssec.

Straight Irish has obviously Improved and could race well on Saturday, but Alaska’s trial was hardly that of a winner. Fast Company was going better than Pizzicato at the finish of half a mile in Slsec, the. last three furlongs In 37 4-ssec.

Fast Company has Improved further since winning at Hastings and he will be hard to beat in the Juvenile Handicap.

Pizzicato has not been racing well enough to be given much chance this week.

Valentino easily beat Blue Lord and Gallant Knight over half a mile in Slsec, the last three furlongs in 30 2-ssec. Valentino is a form runner for the Makurl Handicap. Triomphe accompanied Pygmaios over half a mile in 53 l-ssec, the last three in 40sec. Triomphe has shown improvement lately and could be a threat In the Koninl Hack Handicap. Teri shaded Talavera over half a mile in 50 3-ssec, the last three furlongs in 37 3-ssec. Teri has shown nothing in two starts so far so her defeat of Talavera, which has good form, came as a surprise. Both are engaged in the Juvenile Handicap tomorrow. Sundeed was doing better than Diavolo over the final stages of six furlongs in Imin 21sec, the last three in 41sec. Galacie, a likely improver for the Bodney Hack Handicap,

and Vivid Light were timed over the last three furlongs of their work in 40sec.

Emba sprinted easily over three furlongs in 40sec and could have done better.

Fast Half-mile

The best half-mile was recorded by Mattiwilda, which ran the distance In 49 3-ssec, the last three furlongs In 36sec. She has run fair races over varying distances throughout the holidays. This week she will contest the Eketahuna Handicap. On the plough Tasman Lad gained friends for the Pahiatua Cup when he worked strongly over two rounds and sprinted his last three furlongs in 38sec. He looks very bright and should be a worthy topweight tomorrow. Grand Coeur took 40sec for the last three furlongs of his work and went easily. Ardlui, which is in the Pahiatua Cup, completed six furlongs In Imin 22 4-ssec, the last three In 42sec. He ran a better race at Tauherenikau on Monday, but he will still need to improve to have a chance tomorrow. Young Margaret II completed five furlongs easily In Imin 6 2-ssec, the last three In 41 l-ssec. Narbada Impressed when she worked attractively with Mar-

coni over five furlongs In imin 4sec, the last three in 39 2-ssec.

Narbada’s easy victory over Hakawal at Marton last week will ensure her solid support in the Makurl Hack Handicap. On the inside trial Advance General and Grappa took 51 2-ssec for half a mile, the last three furlongs in 38sec. Prodigal Son ran the same distance In 53sec.

High Talk, a promising youngster trained by E. Temperton, broke a small bone in his leg just below the Joint when racing on the third day at Awapuni. High Talk still ran third but was lame after. The leg has been put In plaster.