Astrella again Hastings star

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

Astrella again Hastings star

"The Press” Special Service HASTINGS. Once again Astrella captured the limelight when she ran the best halfmile at Hastings yesterday in preparation for the Mangatapu Handicap at the Rangitikei races tomorrow.

The plough was used tor tost work and it was deep and holding when Astrella (R. Marsh) and Leon (D. Sellwood) galloped half a mile in 52 2-ssee, the last three furlongs in 39 2-ssec. Astrella worked boldly and so did Leon. However, Astrella will probably need her race tomorrow.

Both Leon and Astrella should be worth-while prospects for Trentham. False Problem (R. Marsh), which appeals for the Pukehou High-weight, topped off his work with three furlongs in 39 2-ssec and he was working freely throughout. He raced well at Wairoa and should be hard to beat tomorrow. BOTH FIT Zizi (I. Lawson) and Quick Sal (C. Hercock), two candidates for the' Greatford Hack Handicap, ran three furlongs in 39 3-ssec. Both horses are fit and on Wairoa running would have to be given chances of paying dividends. Zizi in particular is ready for a good race.

Diamond Fair (Julius) took 40sec for three furlongs and Waiata (D. Frethey) and Picador (J. Couper), which are entered for the Pukeora Handicap at Waipukurau next week, took 42 2-ssec and worked freely. Barula (J. Panapa) went five furlongs, in Imin 9 2-ssec, the last three taking 42 2-ssec and the stablemates, Faria and Bold, which. are due to race at Waipukurau, covered three furlongs in 40sec. Represent (L. Carston), which seems one of the best prospects for the Flockhouse Handicap, at Awapuni, and Mr Sin (I. Lawson) which will race in the Pukehou High-weight but might

need the run, took Imin 40sec for seven furlongs, the last three in 43 2-ssec. Represent is very fit. He raced well at Wairoa. Earlez (R. Marsh) impressed running five furlongs in Imin 6 l-ssec, the last three in 41 sec. He went with Friendly Kildare (V. Hercock), which was ho use to him.

Bourne Chief (R. Grantham), a maiden prospect at Awapuni, joined in for the last three and worked well. Earlez was a good second at Woodville last week and might win on Saturday. Great Luck (Pocock) and Ima Martian (C. Hercock) ran together over five furlongs in imin 6sec, the last three in 40sec. They worked solidly. Ima Martian is beginning to take a keen interest in his work.