Glenurquhart In Sound Cup Trial

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30941, 23 December 1965, Page 4

Glenurquhart In Sound Cup Trial

••The Press” Special Serv.ee AUCKLAND. Glenurquhart. which only won a place in the Auckland Trotting Cup field through the withdrawal on Tuesday of Waitaki Hanover, downed the prominent Cup candidate. Garcon d’Or, in a brilliant workout at Alexandra Park yesterday. Driven by his race-night driver, L. Purdon. Glenurquhart beat Garcon d’Or by half a length over two miles. Vista Abbey < O'Connor) was two lengths back, clear of Poroti Pride (H. Purdon). Garcon d’Or made the running. The pace, after being slow for the first mile, was really clapped on starting the last round. Glenurquhart tackled Garcon d’Or nearing the home turn. He went ahead soon afterwards and appeared to be going much better at the post. The last half-mile was cut out in 59sec and the quarter in a hectic 28 l-ssec. The full distance took 4min 28 4-ssec. Glenurquhart, which is now being trained at Epsom by his owner, D. Johnston, lost all chance In the Pezaro Memorial last week when he broke badly at the start. He has some good performances to his credit in the South Island. Four starts back, he won the Methven Cup. two miles, from a strong field, among those he beat being Disband. Garcon d’Or and Vista Abbey had earlier in the morning paced a warm-up mile in 2min 30sec. Vista Abbey had come on very well since winning last Saturday. She looks certain to go well in the December Handicap. the second leg of the T.A.B. double on Tuesday night.

The north's big Cup hope. Great Adios (Norton), breezed over two miles in 4min 40sec. He was accompanied by Van Rush (Moase) and Friendly Persuasion (Lord).

Great Adios set a very leisurely pace. Allowed a little more rein once into the last round, he came the last halfmile comfortably in Imln 3 2-ssec and the quarter In 30sec.

His trainer, R. P. Norton, said that on Sunday at Alexandra Park Great Adios would take part in the special trials being organised by the Auckland Trotting Club. Scotch Cherie (Mangos) went smoothly over a mile and a half in 3min 22sec. She finished full of running after reeling off the last half-mile in Imin 2sec. She looks improved by her race on the first night of the meeting. Sparkling Brew (Mackenzie), a candidate for the Dominion Handicap, was too good for Dark Omen (Hillis) over 13 furlongs in 3min 39 l-ssec, the last halfmile in Imin 3 l-ssec, and the quarter in 31sec. It was a pretty good work-out. Waitaki Hanover left Onehunga yesterday in the Tawanui for Christchurch, where he will join A. J. Bourne’s stable. Formerly trained at Mangere by P. T. Wolfenden, he was withdrawn on Tuesday from al! engagements at the Auckland Trotting Cup meeting after an injury to his near hindleg. The leg was caught in a fence. Mr J. Smith, whose wife owns the horse, said yesterday that the injury was not regarded as serious. Waitaki Hanover might contest the Dunedin Festival Cup at Forbury Park toward the end of next month.