JOHN DERRY FIT

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31170, 21 September 1966, Page 4

JOHN DERRY FIT

"The Press'’ Special Service HASTINGS. There was a wealth of promise in yesterday s track work at 'Hastings. John Derry impressed as he prepared for the Spring Handicap, and Tinsel, which is also engaged in this event, worked most attractively. The course proper was in fast order. The grass 24 feet out from the rail has not been raced since the autumn and is very thick, providing perfect going. Yesterday the trestles were 39 feet out. The plough was not as fast as the grass, having been raked to a fair depth. On the course proper. Floodlit (A. T. Jones) took 52sec for a solo half-mile, the last three in 40sec. He could have done a lot better because he is at perk, but never gives his best when sent out alone. Patsy’s Pride (B. S. Dodds) and Bientot (J. T. Anderton), their race-day riders up, worked easily over five furlongs in lmin 6 3-Ssec. the last three in 41 l-Ssec They have been ready Ito race for some time and. could ci

isurpise in the Epsonf Hack ; Handicap. On the plough nothing pleased more than John Derry (J. T. Anderson) and Shut (A. T. Jones), which partnered Dark Song (B. S. Dodds) for six fur* longs in lmin ISsec. the best six of the morning. The first two ran well and must have bright prospects on Saturday. The Hawke’s Bay Guineas candidate. Game <R. M. Hastings). strode freely over six furlongs in lmin 21sec, the last three in 41sec. He had a lot in hand. He will not race on Saturday, but should be readv to give his best for the Guineas. Vigour (M. O. Mingings). topweight in the Hollycombe Higtweight. and Watchet (J T. Anderson), a first-class prospect for the Welter Mile, ran very boldly over six furlongs in lmin 19sec, the last three in 39 3-ssec They are at peak One of the most pleasing trials was six furlongs alone by Tinsel (R. B. Marsh), which took lmin 19sec, the last three in 38 l-ssec. Tinsel is in solid order and could be hard to beat in the Spring Handicap.