Devante And Luana Best At Hastings

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32381, 21 August 1970, Page 4 (Supplement)

Devante And Luana Best At Hastings

••The Press'* Special Service HASTINGS. The good filly, Devante, and her race rival, Luana, were responsible for two of the best trials at Hastings yesterday by horses engaged at Foxton tomorrow.

Mr Sin which is now expected to run in the Price Hurdles instead of the steeplechase, was impressive in an easy trial, and Wellcourt, Just William and Mr Spy also pleased.

Steady rain fell throughout the session and the plough was wet and slushy. However, it appeared to provide fair footing.

Devante (G. Innes) and the steadily improving Fraternise (D. Thomas) ran five furlongs in Imin 5 l-ssec with Devante drawing three-quarters of a length clear near the finish and covering the last three furlongs in 39sec. Devante was a good two-year-old last season. She will resume racing in the Robinson Handicap tomorrow, and it would not surprise if she were in the money. She is well forward and ready for a bold race. Fraternize should come to hand quickly. Good Maiden Gamerullah, a maiden who may race well tomorrow, was given an easy work-out, coming the last two furlongs boldly. He is a half-brother to Bardall and might make a smart three-year-old. Wellcourt (B. Kirke) and Agra (B. Dodds) worked freely over seven furlongs. Agra might be a threat in the steeples tomorrow, and Wellcourt will not be out of her depth in the Bergin Hack Handicap. Sikandar worked easily over five furlongs, the last three

in 43 2-ssec, and Red Nib completed six furlongs by running the last three in 43sec. Red Nib ran a very bold maiden fourth at Tauherenikau last week and should be hard to beat in maiden class over a mile at Wanganui next week.

Mr Spy covered half a mile in 52sec, the last three in 38 4-ssec. He is at peak for the Barber Hack Handicap, but has drawn very badly. Just William (R. Grantham) which might be one of the best prospects for the Barber Handicap, ran three furlongs very easily in 44sec to top off his steady trial. He is ready to show his best form.

Courtina, who will probably race next at the Hawke’s Bay meeting, and Golden Gurka, which is bound for Gisborne,

ran half a mile in 52 3-ssee, the last three in 39 2-ssec. This was a good trial. Dallaman ran five furlongs in Imin Msec, the last three boldly in 40 3-ssec, but would probably be all the better for his race in the Trial Stakes No. 1. Luana and Sheherazade, which could both be prominent at Foxton, ran half a mile in 52 3-ssec, the last three in 39 l-ssec. This was bold work. Sheherazade might be placed in the Perreau Handicap if the track is good, and Luana must be taken into account for the Robinson Handicap.

Mr Sin was sent once round, the last three taking 43sec. It was intended to give him a race in the steeples tomorrow, but he is to contest the Price Hurdles.