RACING ELLERSLIE GALLOPS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30943, 27 December 1965, Page 5

RACING ELLERSLIE GALLOPS

Tilka And Rag Doll Impress

"The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND.

A brilliant three furlongs by Rag Doll and an equally impressive seven by Tilka were highlights of training at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Rag Doll is a candidate for the second division of the Goodwood Stakes, and Tilka is in the \ Christmas Handicap at Auckland today. Old and Bold, a local hope for the Queen Elizabeth Handicap, went smartly over a mile. Galloping was done on the course proper, about 35 feet out. The going was good. Rag Doll (Hughes) ran three furlongs brilliantly in 36sec—time which is rarely bettered at Ellerslie with the pegs out so far.

Rag Doll, since arriving at Ellerslie last week, has thrived. She is not very big, but there is no doubt she possesses brilliant speed.

Tilka (Walters) ran seven furlongs in Imin 31 l-ssec, the last five in Imin 6 l-ssec, and four in 52 3-ssec.

Old and Bold (Collett) ran a mile in Imin 49sec, the last five furlongs with Freeway (Leonard). They kept together running the last four furlongs in 52sec and three in 39sec.

Arakhan (Day) and the Great Northern Derby prospect, Roman Consul (Dowling), went a mile and a quarter, the last mile in Imin 48 3-ssec, seven furlongs in Imin 33 l-ssec, and three in 41 l-ssec.

Dervish (Dowling) led Lucy Gray (Kileen), Blue Lodge (Beckham) and Warea Boy (Walters) to the finish of seven furlongs in Imin 33 2-ssec. Dervish has been troubled by soreness, and it was noticeable that he was walking short after cooling out. Terrific (Hughes) started off from the mile and a half chute at a steady pace, increasing speed over the last seven furlongs in Imin 35sec. He blew hard afterward.