RACING Watchman In Dashing Sprint At Riccarton

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32213, 4 February 1970, Page 5

RACING Watchman In Dashing Sprint At Riccarton

A dashing trial by Watchman at Riccarton yesterday left the impression that Kumara form might have to be respected in the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Craven Plate on Saturday.

Watchman, the open sprint winner at Kumara on January 10 when having his first race since the spring, showed he had thrived since by reeling off six furlongs 40ft out on the course proper in 1:15 2-5.

Watchman was ridden by his race rider, D. Reed, and had his stablemate Flipper (Sanderson) for a companion. After a brisk opening burst they did well to complete their last half mile in 50 4-5. Flipper, a winner at odds of almost 90 to one at the Hororata meeting, will race on the second day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting. Fit Lightweight One of the best runs on the plough was a mile by Pretentious (R. McCann) in 1.44 3-5, the last half mile in 51 1-5, the final three furlongs in 38. On his holiday form and present fitness Pretentious should not be one of the lesser lights in the Midsummer Handicap on Saturday. The Wingatui stablemates. Gav Gabador 'R. Moir) and Mon Amour >G. W Mexq) sprinted; six furlongs on the outside of' the course proper in Imin 20 5-Ssec. the last half-mile tn 51, 2-5 sec. Gay Gabador is one of the; leading form candidates for the Midsummer Handicap after a j fourth in the Wellington Racing Club Handicap and a fifth in the Wellington Cup. He appeared to come through his Trentham campaign well. Shipmaster (Mein) took Imin 50 l-ssec for his mile on the outside of the course proper, but he was not asked for much until about half way through. He quickened readily to run his last half-mile in 52 2-ssec. Hombre and Gee Tee, print-

ers with solid form on their home track this season, and rival candidates for the Craven Plate on Saturday, went about sprint tasks on the plough with encouraging dash. Hombre (F. H. Skelton) beat Dainty Tread (Mrs Clutterbuck) over five furlongs in Imin 1 3-ssec, the last four in 49 l-ssec, the final three in 37 l-ssec. Gee Tee (Sanderson) recorded 1:19 3-ssec for six furlongs, 52 l-ssec for the last four, and 38 4-ssec for the final three. Aeolian iMein), a winner on his holiday campaign in the North Island, and a Craven Plate candidates, was better than Magic Man <M. McCann) over seven furlongs on the outside of the course proper. He iran the distance in Imin 34 3-ssec and the last half-mile in 10l 4-ssec. The veteran General Gilbert ; (K. Donaldson* and Green Light |(M. Skelton) stayed together to I the end of seven furlongs on ’the outside of the course proper in imin 31 3-ssec. the last half-mile in 52 3-ssec. Other gallops; Course Proper Mile—lntervene two lengths Faraday Imin 49sec, last half, 52 2-ssec. Seven Furlongs.—Biggin Hill Imin 31 4-ssec, last half, 51 3-ssec.

Six Furlongs.—Suppi-Yawlet Imin 19sec, last half, 53sec; Grey Ghost and Officers’ Mess imin 19 2-ssec, last half 52 3- Strathganistan, Japita and Pavoluss Imin 18 3-5, last half 51 4-ssec. Half-mile. —Shipboard 52 4- last three furlongs with Lincoln’s Inn in 38 3-ssec; Bimerah and Mister Bud (along back straight) 52sec; Screened Three Furlongs.—Neil’s Bard 40 2-ssec. Plough Seven Furlongs.—S whs Knight, length and a half; Burns Knight Imin 32 l-ssec, last half, 51 4-ssec; Pseudonym Imin 30 3-ssec. last three 39 1- Celtic Chief and Overnight Imin 32sec, last half-mile 51 3-ssec. Six Furlongs.—Sir Limond Imin 16 2-ssec: Roman General Imin 18sec, last half-mile 52 2- last three furlongs 38 2- Cyclone imin 19 2-ssec, last half 52 2-ssec. Half-mile. —Joust and Headwyn 52 2-ssec; Every Post 50 3Three Furlongs.—Hay Burner and Euripydies (finishing 7f) 37 4-ssec.