Mount Eden in unusual trial

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32541, 26 February 1971, Page 7 (Supplement)

Mount Eden in unusual trial

Mount Eden completed his prepara-, tion for his time trial tomorrow in a* most unorthodox manner. He trotted over 14 furlongs with Retep’s Pride, a leading contender for the Trotting Grand Final.

They were timed over the final 12 furlongs in 3min 20 3-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin ssec, and the final quarter in 31 l-ssec.

The pace was applied over the final furlong, and with about 100 yards to run Mount Eden swung into a pace. His driver, E. J. Miles, then eased him back and cut towards the middle of the track, as he did not want the horse to over-exert himself.

Retep’s Pride trotted on the outside of Mount Eden for the whole trial. “He has to race with a prompter outside him in the trial and I wanted him to have Some experience of that,” said Miles, who expressed satisfaction with the horse’s effort. Royal Deeside again took time honours for the morning, striding over 10 furlongs behind a galloping pacemaker in 2min 38sec, the last half-mile in 60 2-5 sec, and the final quarter in 29 2-ssec.

He has made fine progress in the last week, and even though he will meet extremely strong opposition in the Three-year-old Championship tomorrow, he should finish close up. Last Flood was again given strong work the reverse way. He worked right up against the outside

fence and could not be timed. He hit out very keenly and has thrived in the last week. Welcome Advice, Golden Rhyme and Junior’s Image were all restricted to light tasks.