Tourie looks fit

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32879, 30 March 1972, Page 7

Tourie looks fit

“The Press” Special Service i INVERCARGILL. Tourfe's creditable second at the Birchwood Hunt meeting a fortnight ago and subsequent work has brought him to a high degree of fitness for the Riverton Cup on Saturday. The Lomond three-year-old, which is to be ridden by E. J. Didham in the 33800 event, defin-. Itely left this impression when! he worked stylishly in company) with Koral and Bay FeUow at) Riverton yesterday. Tourie looked a Uttle above himself at the Birchwood meeting when he blew after the President’s Handicap, but W. J. Hillis has timed his preparation to a nicety If his appearance is a reliable guide to the gelding’s condition. Koral, ridden by W. J. Hillis, set off from the nine furlongs with Tourie—carrying at least 9-o—and Bay FeUow. The trio maintained a solid pace before Tourie, which trailed the othei two. began to move forward inside the half-mUe. Tourie went to the line fuU of running and galloping wen within himself

down the outside to hold a slight advantage at the line. Although the track is providing splendid autumn footing, the trestles were out at least 35ft. so the last three in 40sec was a good trial by Tourie. The evergreen Koral left no doubts that he is at concert pitch for the Great Western Steeplechase, an event in which , he will be ridden by W. J. Hil- .: lis. Radiant Light fell at the diffi j I cult water jump when he' /i schooled in company with his 11 stablemates Bright Blue and Dub Idul. j With W. J. Hillis up, Radiant Light broke clear early In a run ■ over nine fences on the steeple- . chase circuit and jumped fluently j about five lengths clear of his > rivals most of the way. » The bout continued without mishap to the water jump, but , Radiant Light had other ideas » short of the approach and did I not rise correctly. W. J. Hillis > was thrown heavily, but escaped j injury. Duldul and Bright Blue con- • tinned to leap the brush after t the water jump and Radiant I Light was remounted by Hillis ? and did likewise.