Ribolita an interesting newcomer on circuit

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32972, 19 July 1972, Page 8

Ribolita an interesting newcomer on circuit

Ribolita (shown above), winner of two races last spring, one of them at Trentham, should be an able reinforcement to Riccarton’s list of open-class horses over the next few weeks.

She was spelled after losing form in the summer, and might reappear in the Claremont Handicap, the first leg of the South Canterbury Hunt Club’s double on Saturday. Ribolita sprinted attractively yesterday on the No. 7 grass at Riccarton. With K. Quayle up, she gave weight and a four lengths beating over six furlongs to

Best Game (G. W. Mein). She recorded 1.24 1-5, after running the opening three furlongs in 40 3-5. Trialists on this small track had tricky footing for a time. There had been a late frost after rain on Monday, and some horses were troubled by the turns. ELVIN SPARK Ribolita’s trainer, G. D. Lee, also has Elvin Spark in the

Claremont Handicap at Washdyke, but said yesterday that he would be guided by the condition of the track before making final plans for his pair. Eivin Spark improved a consistent record with a third in the feature race at the Waimate Hunt meeting last Saturday.

Solved (Quayle) and Red Boy (G. W. Mein) sprinted in from the three furlongs in 40 2-ssec. Solved failed against the hack milers at Waimate. and will be tried at six furlongs in the Belmont Hack Handicap at Washdyke.

Rebel Lad (M. Thornley) and Immortal (I. Grant) sprinted in from the three furlongs in 41 3-ssec. Rebel Lad resumed after a spell at Ashburton last month, and should soon be ready for a peak effort. He looked useful at times early last season.

Watchman, a disappointment in his recent flat racing, is being educated for hurdling by R. B. Taggart. Ridden by G. Jackson, he was schooled over the pony hurdles yesterday before joining Officers’ Mess (R. J. McCann) over two standard flights.

Chilli Bean worked up to a strong pace in his solo run over hurdles.