RACING Ridiculous Best In Awapuni Work-Out

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30725, 14 April 1965, Page 5

RACING Ridiculous Best In Awapuni Work-Out

“The Press’’ Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH. An impressive run over five furlongs at Awapuni yesterday drew marked attention to a winning chance for Ridiculous in the Rototawai Handicap next week-end at Tauherenikau. Ridiculous was far too good for Flounce in her semi-final trial for the event. Lady Mataara also worked smartly on the trial grass, where most fast work took place. She was far too good for Gaynova in her half-mile assignment. Now she seems likely to test Linesman in his Wairarapa engagement. Soft Going Ridiculous was always travelling easily even though she is not at her best on soft footing. Overnight rain had eased the ground to such an extent that few trainers asked their charges for serious eiforts, most being content to settle for light exercise.

Working evenly, Ridiculous came to the end of her five slightly ahead of Flounce in lmin ssee, the last three in

39sec. At the post Ridiculous looked full of running. She should be right at her peak for Easter racing.

Lady Mataara was brilliant at half a mile. She sprinted the distance without apparent effort, drawing away from Gaynova near the end to clock 49 2-ssec. Lately she has continued to thrive and improve. At the week-end she should be at her peak.

The best effort on the course proper, where the pegs were set 60ft from the rails, was a five-furlong run by Gymkhana, which looks a contender for the Tauherenikau sprint. He covered his distance easily in lmin 8 l-ssec, good time because the course proper was considerably slower than the trial.

Laramie hit out well in a gallop with Lord Hilton. He ran a mile in lmin 54sec, the last three in 41 4-ssec. Kenloch's mile took lmin 56 2-ssec, while Black Ice and Punch ran seven furlongs in lmin 40sec. Zihl seemed better than Birthright at the end of five furlongs in lmin 12sec. Zihl should not have to wait much longer for a win. -»