Gus Does Well In Foxton Trial

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31188, 12 October 1966, Page 4

Gus Does Well In Foxton Trial

Gus came through a fairly searching test satisfactorily when he raced at the Foxton matinee yesterday. He finished only third in the open sprint trial over six furlongs, but his run was good enough to ensure a start in Saturday’s Wellington Handicap. Other Trentham candidates to shape well Included Loofah, Point Duty, Autonomy, and Prince Hagen.

The non-appearance of the brilliant High Delight was a disappointment although Autonomy went well towards making up for it with a most impressive win in his heat for two-year-olds. After his win, the rider, L. K. Tinsley, confirmed that he would ride the colt in the Wellesley Stakes.

All eyes were on Gus when he lined up against Jen Hai, Automation, Mukupai. Empire King, Fremont, Kimber, and Royal Admiral in the open race over six furlongs. W. D Skelton did not give his mount an easy race. Gus raced behind Royal Admiral to the turn. He moved up verywide on the turn and ran clear. In the last furlong he was caught first bv Kimber and then by Royal Admiral, but he was not knocked about in the final stage.

Gus pulled up very well and both his owner (Mr L. Tyree) and Skelton were pleased with the way he performed. Mr Tvree was not certain or a start for Gus at Trentham until yesterday. Now the chestnut is almost certain to go to tne P °My Call, which looks fresh after a spell, won the open sprint trial over five furlongs. He raced four wide to the turn

and ran to the front to beat Sabaean Summer, finishing well, by a neck, with Prince d’Amour and Chiave d’Oro sharing third ahead of a most impressive Prince Hagen. Prince Hagen was under a hard hold all the way. He lobbed along behind the leaders and could have won by lengths had he been allowed an inch or two or rein.

Prince Hagen wifll be ridden by R. J. Skelton in Saturday s sprint. His appearance yesterday left little doubt that he is forward enough for a bold effort this week

Loofah and Point Duty advanced their claims for favouritism in the October Handicap

with good runs in the hack sprint trial over five furlongs. Loofah won and Point Duty was third. Both finished under strong holds, with Loofah making a determined late bid from the back to win well.

Point Duty, like Loofah trained at Levin, also pleased. He raced four wide and after leading at the furlong was kept under a good hold to finish third, only a long head and half a length behind Loofah and Shogun. Point Duty will be ridden by R. J. Skelton on Saturday, so the Skelton brothers cou’.d well have the finish to the October Handicap to themselves. Nenagh, a Trentham candidate raced in this heat. She was not impressive and her rider (J. R. Dowling) was disappointed with her showing.

Autonomy gave nothing else a chance in the two-year-old trial over four furlongs although he looked to be feeling the ground. He led all the way and was eased at the finish to beat Wilma Rudolph, a filly by Syntax. Wingman shared third with Testify, with Status next. Testify began well and showed speed, but could not come on in the straight.