HIGHLIGHTS OF TRAINING Dumb-bell in fast sprint at Riccarton

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32588, 23 April 1971, Page 7 (Supplement)

HIGHLIGHTS OF TRAINING Dumb-bell in fast sprint at Riccarton

Dumb-bell may be one of Riccarton’s brightest winning prospects on the opening day of the Marlborough Racing Club’s meeting tomorrow.

She showed pleasing dash while running three furlongs in 39 2-ssec on the trial grass at Riccarton yesterday. The Pollard Improvers’ Hack Handicap will be DumbBell’s first race since the spring, but Miss J. EdgarJones’s' filly has been in steady work for several weeks, all her efforts at speed have been attractive. Dumb-Bell had five races in the spring for one win, two seconds, and a fourth. The win, her first, was over a mile at Westport. She lost a winning chance in at least one of her previous starts by attempting to run off the course. Sexton Blake (Mein), an ac-

ceptor for the West . Derby Handicap at Blenheim, was paired with Timely (Sanderson) over half a mile. Timely took a lead of about a length and a half early and held it to the end. He ran the last three furlongs in 38sec. Magic Man (Cowles) finished his work with three furlongs in 40 2-Ssee. He had Easter racing to fit Mm for a campaign at the Marlborough meeting, starting with the nigh-weight tomorrow The Blenheim-owned Frosty Blue (Cowles) ran three furlongs easily in 43 l-ssec. He has shown plenty of speed but has not been running his races out strongly. Awapuni

Silver Knight confirmed his favouritism for the Hawke's Bay Cup with a rousing gallop The grey colt handled the track much better than his race rival. Aristae, and is at peak form for tomorrow. Other candidates to work well were Purdxe, Mediate, Belle He and Linguists, although the last named may be kept for the second day of the meeting. The tracks were easy after overnight rain. Wonting 4uft from the rails on the course proper, Silver Knight was too good for Aristoc over seven furlongs in Imin 34 sec and had plenty in reserve over the final three in 41sec. The St Leger winner has not looked back since his Ellerslie win.

Aristoc was not at all happy in the ground and his trainer, J. Sellwood, said later that Aristoc would not fulfil his engagement if conditions continue to deteri* orate. Belle He and Lingulata were responsible for an impressive trial. They covered seven fur» longs in Imin 34 2-ssec taking only 40 2-ssec for the last three furlongs. Belle He has not started previously at a mile and a quarter, but should handle the distance successfully in the Heretaunga Handicap. Purdie went faster than the other cup candidates in a solo trial over seven furlongs. He went the distance in Imin 31 2*ssec, running on strongly over the last three In 39sec. He has a big weight advantage over his stabiemate, Silver Knight, and might cause an upset Kaukapakapa, which did not do well on his trip north showed that he is back to his best when he sped over seven furlongs in Imin 31 3-ssec without being asked for his best over the final three furlongs in 40 2-ssec. Mediate was doing better than Bagheera and Green Thorn throughout five furlongs in 1 min 7sec. He came over the last three In 39sec and evidently appreciated the slightly easier track conditions. Hastings The Hawke's Bay Cup candidates, Pole Star, Leon, Watal* lan, and Alison all worked im* ftressively In training at Hastngs yesterday. Dunmoy, which looks very fit, and Trutone were let off with light tasks. They appeared to have travelled well from Matamafa and Cambridge respectively and the weight-for-age stars. Game and Kirrama which will

clash in the Ormond Memorial Gold Cup next Tuesday when Princess Alexandra will be in attendance. were also responsible for excellent trials.

I The course proper was soft and cutting out. However, it seems the rain has ended and the work took place in bright sunshine this morning. If this good weather continues the track should offer good going with the sting well out of it tomorrow. On the course proper Pole Star (W. Hillis) and Leon (D. Withington) ran six furlongs in imin 18 2-ssec, the last three in 39 4-ssec. This was one of the best of the morning’s trials and both horses did it well. Watallan (Anderton) and Alison (D. Withington) ran the last five of their six furlongs in Imin 4 l-ssec, the final three taking 39 l-ssec. Watallan whose form in the South Island has been good, will be ridden by J. Dowling in the cup. He is obviously at peak fitness. , , Game (R. Marsh) worked boldly over seven furlongs in Imin 33sec, the last three in 41 2-ssec. He relished the gallop and hit out freely though he was not really happy in the ground. However, if the fine weather continues, the track should be perfect by Tuesday. Kirrama (C. Hercock) which completed his trial to the whirring of television cameras, ran six furlongs easily in Imin 19 sec, the last three in 40 4-ssec. He is very fit and given firm footing he should provide Princess Alexandra with a thrilling race when he clashes with Game on Tuesday. Devante (J. Panapa) which may race the second day if the track; Is good, took 50 2-ssec for half a mile, the last three in 38sec and this was particularly smart | time. Practice (R. Marsh) and Frigate (R. Howell), rivals in the Oreka Handicap, took Imin 19sec for six furlofigs, the last three in 41sec. Frigate could be the better of the two on the day. Cambridge Papahu. winner of he Nolan Handicap at Ellerslie at his last start showed that he Is ■ progressing well when he ran the fastest seven furlongs In training at Cambridge yesterday. Working 46 feet out on a track which was cutting out, he clocked imin 37 4-Ssec for seven furlongs the last three in 38] sec. Papahu has not yet raced at two miles but all going well he will tackle the City Fathers Centennial Handicap of $10,450 at the Avondale meeting on May 1. Invercargill

There were few serious gallops at Invercargill yesterday when Walrlo candidates completed their preparation. The little galloping on the course proper was done 35ft out from the rails on dead footing

J. A. Gordon’s two steeplechasers. Silver Savant and Abebe were set a searching final trial for the Forde Hack and Hun* ers’ Steeplechase when they worked together over a round. They covered the last five furlongs in 68sec the final three furlongs in 41sec. Achi Baba was always under

a good hold throughout his solo three furlongs in 41sec. Zar El Nil was travelling kindly at the end of his two furlongs in 25 4-ssec. Wanganui Angel's Smile looked ready for her Hawke's Bay Cup assignment when she worked at Wanganui yesterday when trials took place 35ft out on the course proper which was cutting out. As many Wanganui gallopers raced at Waverley there was little fast work. Angel's Smile worked over 10 furlongs, being partnered from the half-mile by Ballycastle. The mare came from the six in Imin 17sec, finishing on terms with her companion after taking 40sec for the last three. She was not hurried. With two middle-distance outings behind her, Angel’s Smile cannot be discarded at Hastings with 11b above the minimum. She is prepared by K. A. Thomson, who won with Kia Tai and Kai Lu at Waverley on Wednesday. The half-sisters will fulfil their engagements at Hastings also. There is doubt about the other Wanganui entry, Dunvegan, running in the First Poukawa Maiden. She has been troubled by shin soreness and yesterday finished behind Too Shy and Sir Pal after a fast half in 51 2-ssec, the last three in 37 2-ssec. Soft ground would assist this full sister to Dunraven.

Bettydelphus took 38 4-ssec for the last three of a 10-furlong assignment.

Woodville Automatic and Banquet attracted attention with good trials for the Hawke's Bay meeting. They aHo showed up on Tuesday and are ready to show their best tomorrow. Most of the work was on the course proper, where the pegs were out 45 feet. The track was cutting out and there were no brilliant times recorded. Banquet gave Miss Harleigh weight and a beating over a mile in Imin 48 4-ssec, the last three furlongs in 41 2-ssec. Banquet was in front all the way and icnreased his lead to about five lengths at the post He has improved with recent racing and looks well placed in the Oreka Handicap. Automatic and Triton were together at the end of six furlongs run in Imin 17 4-ssec. They finished well over the last three in 39sec. Automatic should be hard to teat in the Twyford rack i *rdicap and IX ton is ready to resume on th* second day *at Hastings. Noir Filou and Sharif were not asked for their best when they strode over a mile in Imin 50sec. They were on terms at the end of the last three furlongs in 39 2-ssec. Both will have to be respected in the Hawke’s Bay Cup, Noir Filou particularly If the track is soft. Shaheen ran five furlongs in Imin 5 3-ssec, the last three in 39 4-ssec. He would need to improve on his recent efforts to have a chance tomorrow.

Pafrida, which riiay not race at Hastings if the track is soft, sped over five furlongs in Imin 3sec, the last three in 38sec. He galloped early, when the track was at its firmest. Count Kereru ran five furlongs in Imin 4sec, without being extended. He ran the last three smartly in 37 4-ssec. Ajasco showed her fitness for the Havelock Flying Handicap at Hastings when she ran six furlongs in Imin 16sec, the final three in 39 3-ssec. She looks to have come through her Ellerslie trip in good order. Denigh and Idoflo ran a mile, the last six furlongs in Imin 22sec, and three in 39 2-ssec.

Wingatui Christchurch • owned Crown . Agent set the main at Wingatui yesterday when he completed his preparation for the Wairaki Handicap, the open sprint at the Wairio meeting tomorrow, with an attractive gallop. Conditions were ideal, the fast work was held on the course proper and on the sand. • Ridden by A. Robinson, Crown Agent dashed over half a mile on the outside of the course ftroper in 52sec, the opening furong in 12 4-ssec and completed his task well. He will be ridden by the stable apprentice, C. Marsh, at Riverton and with the full apprentice allowance of 71b the Avocat General gelding will have the luxury weight of 7st 131 b. Since he was bought by Mr N. M. Peryer, Crown Agent has had three wins and four seconds from H. T. Anderton’s stable. He is due for a well earned spell after racing tomorrow. My Mellay (A. Robinson) and

Sir Ruddington (I. Aiming) ran the first two furlongs in 26sec and completed five furlongs in Imin 8 4-ssec. Indian Lady (R. McAara) also ran the first two furlongs in 26sec and came home in Imin 9sec. Big Bang (G. Scott) and Berwin (R. McAra) finished ahead of Cheeky Fella (W. Riach) at the end of seven furlongs in Imin 35 3-ssec, the first half mile in the smart time of 53 2-5 Se Uncle Felix (M. Craig) which shows little interest in track work but is a different proposition on race day, ran the last three furlongs in 41 3-ssec. Longslip (A. Robinson) was given an easy sprint in 42sec. On the sand, Tudor Hall, ridden by his trainer, H. Anderton, rounded off a mile of pace work by coming home -the last three furlongs in 40sec. This time was equalled by Sumburg (R. McAra), Drytime (G. Mee) and Circulation (G. Scott). x Resmart (R. McAra) and Direct Idea (G. Scott) were together m 40 4-ssec, but Resmart could have bettered this time. ’

Bompa in work “The Press” Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH. Bompa is back in work with the. Woodville trainer, S. A. Brown. He has recently returned from a long spell following a break-down in the Epsom Handicap at Sydney in October. The class miler will be brought back to racing fitness gradually, and it is hoped that he will be ready to contest the Winter Cup at. Riccarton in August.