TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS Bev Leigh in form

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32636, 18 June 1971, Page 2 (Supplement)

TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS Bev Leigh in form

Bev Leigh, a winner at long odds at the Dunedin winter meeting, but one of the top fancies in the Kakanul Hack Handicap at Oamaru on Monday, showed her fitness In a training sprint at Riccarton yesterday. One of the last to gallop on the No. 1 grass, Bev Leigh (M. McCann) dashed home from the three furlongs in 39 l-ssec.

Bev Leigh is being stepped up 1 to a mile at Oamaru but she ran ' out seven furlongs strongly for ■ her win at Wingatul and another furlong should not trouble her.Sea Serpent, one of the early I favourites for the Elderslie Hack ; Handicap at Oamaru, sprinted half a mile In 51 4-ssee with Ortanlque and Sudden Change. Sea Serpent was ridden by her race rider, G. W. Mein. Ortanlque shaped as if she had benefited from recent. racing. Aqualette (Judkins) and Disuade (Cowles), two of the earliest workers, sped over half a mile in 50 Msec. .Disuade will hot run in the Trial Stakes at Oamaru, but Aqualette will represent C. McDonald’s stable in the Novice Stakes, and might be one of the hardest to beat. Aqualette was a fair sixth at Rlccarton at her last start. Barr Bank was clear of Shezan and Embrocation finishing half a mile in S 3 l-ssec. Solved (Thornley) and Sony (D. Reed) also recorded S 3 l-ssec in solo trials. Sony had worked away easily from the mile, and quickened from the half mile. He appear* to have thrived since the Dunedin winter meeting, where he was placed twice. Count Sigma, E. J. Didham’s mount in the Champion Hack Handicap at Oamaru, started near the mile and ran his last half mile in 52 4-ssec. He was joined near the half mile by Coaster, which finished with a Short lead. _ Billowed, a maiden from B. S. Finlayson’s team with recent placed form, and a candidate for Oamaru, sprinted half a mile In 53 2-ssec.

HASTINGS

Frigate, which won the Palmerston North Handicap at Awapuni last week and might go close in the Winter Handicap tomorrow, worked impressively at Hastings yesterday when he comfortably beat Practice over seven furlongs.

On the plough, Which was In first class order after a spell of fine weather, Frigate (B. Dodds) beat Practice (Miss Wrigley) by two lengths at the end of seven furlongs which took Imin 33sec, the last three in 38sec. This was good work by Frigate, which obviously has improved with his run the first day. Practice ran two good fifths at Wanganui and there is no doubt he looks well. Chill (R. Marsh) finished her work with three furlongs in 39 3*ssec. She has trained well this week and after her good third in the Palmerston North Handicap she will have to be respected again in the Winter Handicap. Printee Tim (I. Lawson), which will race at the Hawke’s Bay meeting, ran five furlongs in Imin ssec, the last three in 39sec. On the course proper Valmond (D. Pocock) took Imin 9 2-ssec for five furlongs, the last three Ln 43 2-ssec. Valmond should give a good account of himself In the Highbury Maiden. Nullarbor (B. Dodds) ran half a mile in 54 l-ssec, the last three in 40 3*ssec. He is in the Suburban Handicap but may need a race or two yet.

Mill Court (D. Pocock), one of the form runners for the Suburban Handicap, ran half a mile in 52 4-ssec, the last three in 38 4-ssec. This was a bold effort. Mill Court is very fit. Earlex (A. Pringle), which is overdue for a win, took Imin 9 l-ssec for five furlongs, running the last three In 43sec. He hit out freely. Red Nib (A. Hayes), which appeals strongly for the Farewell Hack Handicap after his food third the first day, took min Bsec for five furlongs, running his last three in 41 4-ssec. Minralne (J. Frethey) which is also engaged in the Farewell Handicap, covered a mile, working at three-quarter pace to the three furlongs then sprinting

home in 41 4-ssec, which was a bold run. Agra (L Lawson), which might be forward enough to run. a useful race in the Awapuni Hurdles, went ’a mile in Imin 52 l-sscc, the last three in 42 4-ssec. He has come on well lately. On the plough Just William (M. Lange) and Mr Sin took Msec in a boldly run three furlongs. Indicating that both horses are at peak for .their engagements at Awapuni. - Consulate (A. Pringle) and Bold worked together over five furlongs on the course proper and they required Imin 7sec, taking 42sec for the last three, which was a good trial. Agricolet (D. Withlngton) was a length ahead-of Grande (G. Wallis) on completing half a mile tn 54 l-ssec, the last three in 41 l-ssec. Agricolet should win the Sapling Stakes tomorrow. WOODVILLE Gay.Princaworfcbd weH >esferday morning In A ** Work waa done bn Hie course proper, ’with the pegs out #0 feet. Gay Prince, ridden-by race-, dap fackey. N. Harris, went ever threefurlongs in M 4-ssee, and looked Improved by his race at! Wanganui, where he finished One, of the best runs was by Sherwood, which ran a mile and picked up Kote Maori at the half. Sherwood recorded Imin 53sec and the pair ran the final three furlongs in 40 2-ssec. Phar Lace sprinted three furlongs in Msec. He is an acceptor] for Hawera next week. I

WANGANUI Sotdy Giri and BallycasHe ■ returned the beat times among ’ the Manawatu candidates seen' In action at Wanganui yesterday when trials were held JOft out on the course groper which was soft. Gold? Giri was restrained until the half-mile, sprintins from • there in S 3 2-Ssec, the last three : nicely in 39 3-Ssee. If the ground 1 Is reasonably good she should be - hard to beat in the Members' l Handlean. The hack stayer, Ballycastle, 1 Impressed with the morning’s best half-mile in 52 3-ssec, the i last three In 39 4-ssec. He should t be at peak form tomorrow. I Red Wolf was given a quiet r half In 57sec, the last three rei qulrlng 43 4-Ssec. Prince Sudak, , which will run In the Ngata Hack i Hurdles took 43 4-ssec for three i furlongs. s The recently recommissioned Too Shy and Gracious went to- ; gether over three in 43 2-ssec. t They were taken quietly. Dennakol was tried in behind Euro- - port, finishing strongly to head i his partner. They registered 53 I l-ssec for a half-mile, the last I three in 39 3-ssec. Dennakol i should race prominently at Egs mont.

Bettydelphus, which is also listed for Hawera, took 41sec for the last three of a round. Maso and an Arctic Explorer juvenile went quietly from the two in 30sec. Arrowtown went over a circuit recording 41 4-ssec for the last three. He is in the right order to tackle the Awapuni Hack Hurdles.

His stablemate. Rommel, which Is also in the Ngata Hurdles, gave a magnificent display over a round of hurdles. He looks to have a wonderful future as a jumper. A very fit Roger went over four fences before sprinting over the last three furlongs on the No. 2 grass. Mystic Dancer gave a safe display over a round but did not have much pace on.

AWAPUNI The open sprinters, Tants re and Aeolian, showed good form yesterday when final trials took place for the second day of the Manawatu Racing Club's winter meeting. They might easily fight out the finish of tomorrow's second leg. Paddy’s Escort and Status, which are likely to dispute favouritism for the Manawatu Steeplechase were paired in a

solid gallop. Each horse showed he would strip in top order for the premier jumping event of the meeting. Most fast work took place on the outside of the course proper, which will be heavy totoorrow.

Thun was travelling better than Beach and Magnifique at the end of half a mile in 54sec. This Fondu colt scored most impressively on the first day and looks likely to complete the double in the Sapling Stakes. Ardfern and Gracious Dream were in front of Gay Corinthian after five furlongs In Imin lOsec. On latest form Ardfern does not appear to have much chance in the Members’ Handicap but Gracious Dream must be conceded a good chance in the Fare Well Handicap. Paddy’s Escort and status jumped three steeplechase fences together before galloping a mile fit Imin 57sec. There was little between .them at the finish and It M ham to pick between them •**3hpManawatu Steeplechase. Go Gay and Whistling Lad were together all the way over eta furlongs in imin Msec. Foxalien and Country Lass , went eMKr over the same distance in Imin Msec.

Lord Peter and Tricky Boy ran °*» a_ mile in Msec, coming on strongl over the final three in . De’ Julio was travelling much better than Aku-Hoa at the end <** • mile in Imin 59sec. He handled the track wen and should appreciate the extra dis‘•ncs, of *?? Manawatu Winter Handicap this week. His staHemate Ponderosa Lass was paired with Dottrice over six furlongs in Imin 27 2-ssec. These two are rival candidates for the Highbury Plate. The fastest trial of the see sion was recorded on the plough ■'bob .Tantara and Aeolian sprinted five furlongs in imin ? They came over the last three in 37 Msec with Tanthe post. Big Beam went easily over five furlongs coming from the three In 41sec. Ayub Khan and Bagheera were hePt together over five furlongs In Imin 3 3-ssec taking 38 2-ssec for the last three furlongs. On the inside trial Trionic and Bargain Boy completed five furlongs in imin 4sec coming over the final three in 39sec. Totara Lodge and Locarno went over the same distance recording Imin ssec and 39sec.

TAKANINI Tetrarch's Gift showed himself not a bit worse for his racing at Ellerslie last weekend when he galloped with Pree yesterday. Mitamit and Habanlta were not asked for the .same speed but they, too, made a good Impression. The fast work took place mainly on the inside of the No. 3 grass, which was heavy. Tetrarch’s Gift (Wyatt) beat Free Pass (Skelton) by a length over a mile in Imin 48sec, finish* ing his work very strongly—as he did on the eve of his Cornwall Handicap win last week-end. For the last six furlongs he returned Imin 19sec.

Tetrarch’s Gift is at top form but Free Pass has lately been disappointing. He might improve with further racing, but at the same time he will need to make a showing in the Te Awarnutu Gold Cup If he is to retain any of his popularity. Jindivik (Skelton) and Raiatea (Henderson) led Gosh Awful (Yetton) after running six furlongs in Imin 22 l-ssec. A three-year-old gelding in R. C. Verner’s team, Jindivik looks pretty promising and a good prospect for the first division of the Pokuru Maiden at Te Awamutu. He is a three-year-old by Afghanistan, the sire of Habanita, with which Verner has done so well.

Habanita (Peake), which Is in the Te Awamutu Gold Cup this week-end, ran a mile steadily with Mitamit (Andrews) in Imln Msec, the last six furlongs in Imin 23sec.

Sherwyn Lass (Waterson) and Moonmist (L. Critoph) were together after a mile in Imin 52sec. the last six furlongs with Snriah (Kempton) In Imin 23 3-ssec.