Vigour Gallops Impressively

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31383, 31 May 1967, Page 4

Vigour Gallops Impressively

"Th* Press" Special Service HASTINGS.

Athlone and Vigour, which are balloted but of the Sir Thomas Duncan Challenge Clip at Wanganui on Saturday, worked impressively at Hastings yesterday.

Terramycln, which is to contest the Jervois Handicap at Ellerslie, was also responsible for an excellent trial gallop. Vinous, a candidate for the Borough Hack Handicap at Wanganui, and a last start winner at Gisborne, indicated her fitness by working boldly over five furlongs with Terramycln. There was some excellent schooling, Including dashing exhibitions over hurdles by Dark Song and Humber. After a hard frost the course proper was fast, but the plough was Inclined to hold.

On the plough, Vigour (R. Grantham) took Imin 7 3-ssec for five furlongs, the last three furlongs In 40sec. Under the conditions, this was a good work-out. Though he ran only a moderate race at Masterton, Vigour is very fit and if he were to regain the field and encounter heavy ground on Saturday, he could make his presence felt. Athlone (T. Whittington), which is much Improved as a result of her trip to Gisborne, ran easily over five furlongs in imin Msec, the last three in

42 2-ssec. Earlier, ridden by G. F. Laurenson she jumped six hurdles, improving as she progressed. It may not be long before she is back to her best.

Good Recovery Nuihau (K. S. Cullen) and Malntown (B. L. Cullen) were together throughout half a mile in 52 3-ssec, the last three in 40 I-ssec Nuihau, which has been troubled by muscular soreness. Is now shaping as if he Is fully recovered, and his trainer, L. Cullen, is very pleased with his progress. The horse seems fit and should not be long showing something like his best form. Gayllan (B. Horne) and Blighty (M. Donoghue) were sent three furlongs and worked freely to complete in 38sec. Gayllan has been eased since winning at Trentham and ha* freshened nicely for approaching engagements. Pursuit (I D. Lawson) gave a most impressive display in a school over three hurdles. He is promising and will probably race at the Hawke’s Bay meeting. Vinous (K. s. Cullen) and Terramycln (I. D. Lawson) were well clear of Red Shadow (B. Cullen), on completion of flve furlongs in Imin 4 2-ssec, the last three taking 39 3-ssec. This was an excellent trial.

Golden Bebel (G. F. Laurenson) gave a sound exhibition in a school over eight hurdles. His trainer, C. J. Cameron, is pleased with his schooling progress.

Brilliant Race Mare Dead "The Press" Special Servic* INVERCARGILL. An outstanding race mare of an earlier decade, Aurora Australis, died recently. She was 28. One of the best race mares sired by Salmagundi, Aurora Australis, which was bred and raced by Mr W. E. Haslett, won 11 races and twice dead-heated for first tor £4909 In stakes. Her successes included the Invercargill Gold cup twice (on* a deadheat with Pride of Mosaburn), the Hazlett Gold Cup at Wingatui, and th* Wyndham and Kurow Cups. Aurora Australis was out of the Chief Ruler mare, Ruling Light, which won eight race* including the Riverton Cup and the Wellington Metropolitan and Anniversary Handicaps. At the stud, Aurora Australis did not leave anything in her own class. Her best winner was Mirror, which won aa an open sprinter and also over middle distances. The Winton Cup, which she won In 2min 3 3-ssec was her most Important success. Chief Light, Polaris and Honey Light were other* out of Aurora Australis. Her last foal is a rising two-year-old filly by Bellagocla. At the Chelandry Stud three daughters of Aurora Australis are being bred from Honey Light and Mirror (both by Callender) and Autumn Light (by Kurdistan). Honey Light is the dam of Gilt Light, Alpine Light and Naratam.