BAIN TEAM FIT

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33050, 18 October 1972, Page 10

BAIN TEAM FIT

Good trials at Trentham

"The Press" Special Service WELLINGTON. Four members of R. J. Bein'! Hastings team stood out In trials at Trentham yesterday, and three returned times which were brilliant. Work was dona In the centre of the course proper, which had dried since Saturday, and was fast The fastest of the Bain team was Richman which ran half a mile in 48 3-ssec, scorching home from the three furlongs in 34soc. Tills form, combined with his attractive run in the Walnui mile on the first day. will make him one of the best propositions in the Pearce Handicap on Monday.

Dark Knowledge was almost as Impressive as Richman when he finished in 48 4-ssec and 35 3-ssec after starling easily from the mile. G. Clutterbuck will ride Dark Knowledge in the Awatea Handicap on Saturday. Dark Song, a battling second in the hurdles on the first day, looked an Improver for the last day when he worked over a mile in imin 53 2-ssec, galloping keenly from the half-mile in 51 4-ssec. and three furlongs in a smart 37 3-ssec. One of the most pleasing performances came from the topclass sprinting mare, Lilt. With deceptive ease, she left a halfmile behind in 47 4-ssec. the last three furlongs in 34 4-ssec. Lilt furnished substantially during her winter spell. She seems noticeably taller and lias built up a great deal behind the saddle particularly. Bain plans to give her her first start as a four-year-old in about three weeks time at Avondale, partly because the stake is $5OOO and partly because he wants her to race right-handed before the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie's Christmas carnival.

Touch’n Go was keen to go when she did pace work on the two-year-old grass. Her rematch with Dhow In the Desert Gold Stakes should be one of Saturday’s highlights. Dhow (Cowles), which will dispute favouritism with Touch’n Go in the Desert Gold Stakes, galloped steadily over five furlongs but was not timed. She has done well since her Guineas win.

Triple Shot worked a solid 12 furlongs in preparation for the Watkins Handicap and pulled up well. Peg’s Pride and Merriemont, two more Desert Gold Stakes starters, struck out keenly from the mile to return Imin 43 3-ssi>c, steadying slightly through the middle stages to run the last half-mile in 52 3-ssec. and the last three furlongs in 38sec. Merriemont, which has soma form over the shorter distances, led Peg’s Pride in the early part of the trial but the latter picked up a length in the straight to finish on terms. Sheralee began at the mile, and quickened to run the last half in 50sec. and three furlongs in 36sec. Bev Leigh worked on the extreme outside of the course, hitting out strongly from the six furlongs but steadied in the straight to return 52 2-ssec for the last four furlongs and 39sec for the last three. Buza cantered away from the mile and ran 55 2-seec for the last half-mile, finishing with three furlongs In 40 l-ssec. Tassel took 40 2-ssec for three furlongs.

The stablemates. Mill Court and Paramill, worked quietly. Ix-ylelgh, which seems to have done well since her first-dav win. worked easily on the trial grass.