Mary Poppins In Fast Sprint At Awapuni

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31016, 23 March 1966, Page 4

Mary Poppins In Fast Sprint At Awapuni

"The Press’* Special Service

PALMERSTON NORTH. A sizzling sprint in track record time for three furlongs by the filly. Mary Poppins, and a solid mile and a quarter gallop by Terrific were the star turns in training at Awapuni yesterday. Mary Poppins races in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes and Terrific clashes with Sobig and Palisade in the Gold Cup on Saturday.

On the course proper, Mary Poppins reeled off three furlongs in a phenomenal 35 l-ssec. This time has not been bettered in training on the course proper here and Mary Poppins is obviously a better filly now than she was’at Trentham. She will add interest to the race on Saturday. N. D. Riordan rides her.

Houplah excelled over half a mile in 49 2-ssec. but bis latest form has been many removes below his best. He ran his last three furlongs in 37sec. On the plough Terrific started from the mile and a quarter He was timed from the mile in Imin 49sec, the last half in 52sec and the final three furlongs in 39sec. Terrific blew a little but it was not surprising as be had not galloped since his St. Leger win.

His trainer, M. Ritchie, is very pleased with him and Terrific’s final trial tomorrow should bring him to his best. Serena and Dervish ran the last four of five furlongs in 51 l-ssec, the last three in 38 2-ssec. Serena looks the likely winner of the Woodhey Hack Handicap.