Sprinters Impress At Riccarton

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31658, 19 April 1968, Page 4

Sprinters Impress At Riccarton

Pasa Doble and James Arthur heightened interest in their second clash of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s autumn meeting in the Waftham Handicap tomorrow by sprinting fast ip solo tests over five furlongs on the trial grass at Riccarton yesterday. Both were ridden by P. J. Silver, and if the Wingatui apprentice was attempting to rate them evenly he could not have made a better job of it. Both horses recorded Imin 2 3-ssec for the five furlongs, but after a slower opening furlong James Arthur was faster over the final four furlongs, recording 49 2-ssec for that section. Pasa Doble beat James Arthur by a length in the Great Easter Handicap last Monday. The condition of the track could have the final bearing on their chances ifi the corresponding race tomorrow. Any drying in the ground would help James Arthur L. K. Tinsley will again be Pasa Doble’s race rider, but W. D Skelton is not available for James Arthur—the leading jockey will be at Ellerslie—and the mount will be taken by J R Dowling. Point Duty showed the sharp speed of a capable sprinter in continuing his Great Autumn Handicap preparation yesterday. Ridden by G R Gullery, the Lev’n stayer ran six furlones tn imin 17sec, the last halfmile In 56 2-S«ec, the final three furion vs tn 37 3-ssec. Earlier. Point Duty's stable mate, Able Mariner (J. K. Seariel. d»«»»*<i half a mile

In 48 4-Ssec. He dees net h«ve a race record to correspond with the ability he showed in this gallop. Red Chips (B. Felling) led his stablemate, Beit Merl (Gullery), by half a length finlshmg six furlongs In Imm It 2-Ssec, the last half-mile in Slaec. Millie Small (Mein), a form runner for the Great Autumn Handicap, recorded Imin 3 4-Ssec for five furlongs, the last half-mile In 50 l-ssec. She rates a solid chance in the Great Autumn after a sound run for third behind Dalvui and Royal Master in the George Adams Handicap on Monday. Royal Encounter (A. H. Eastwood) and Royal Master (Gullery), two more Riccartontralned contenders in the Great Autumn Handicap, were paired for a mile. Boy 91 Encounter won by half a length in Imin 45 2-ssee. They r*n the Opening half more strongly in 52 2-ssec. Port Bank (N. Cowles) ran a mile in imin 44 3-ssec, the last half in 51 3-ssec. She was a disappointing failure In the Merivale Handicap last Monday, but yesterday’s gallop brought her back into reckoning for the Autumn Plate. The stablemates, Partner (E. G. Low) and Overnight (G. W. Wright), ran seven furlongs an terms In imin 33sec, the last half-mile tn 52 2-ssee. Taxman 'A. Swanson) jumped four hurdles cleanly at a good pace. Hig first two leaps Were somewhat extravagant, but he finished well with a fast, welltimed jump at the fourth flight.