Fit Fillies From Ropiha Stable

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31587, 26 January 1968, Page 4

Fit Fillies From Ropiha Stable

“The Preu” Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH. The Woodville trainer, E. Ropiha, who has lost two of his top handicap stars in the last week, will take two very fit fillies to Trenrham for the final day of the Wellington Racing Club’s summer meeting. They are Fashion Plate and Chapel Belle, which both worked attractively in their final trials yesterday. After an indifferent race in the Wellington Cup Fans has been set aside for a short spell. According to Ropiha Fans failed to throw off completely the effects of a race injury the chestnut sustained at Marton. He could be back again in time for major autumn races. Baloo has been put out of commission. at least temporarily. He was buffeted during the Asian Conference Handicap last Monday and now it is believed that he broke a small bone in his hind leg. He will be X-rayed later this week. Late last week, Ropiha had to put Jane Blithe aside when the mare showed signs of tendon trouble. She was just getting close to her peak w’hen the mishap occurred. Janeville is an-

other which has gone out to spell. Galloping on the outside of the course proper yesterday, Chapel Belle looked more than a match for Fashion Plate over five furlongs in Imin 3sec. It was a good gallop on the part of both fillies. But Yoshiko was even more brilliant. She dashed over the same ground in Imin 1 l-ssec, assisted from the three in 35sec by Never Give In. Yoshiko has improved sharply with her race in the Telegraph Handicap last Saturday. Other course proper gallops included a mile by Caplin in Imin 49 3-ssec. She was assisted from the six furlongs by Rahpete. They took 38 4-ssec for the last three, at the end of which Caplin was in front. Sharif clocked 50isec for half a mile and finished the last furlong looking all round him. On the plough, Golden Bay worked well alongside Kaikohe from the six in Imin 18 3-ssec.