Northern horses star

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33064, 3 November 1972, Page 2-3 (Supplement)

Northern horses star

The New Zealand Cup and Stewards' Handicap double looked well within the reach of Mediate and Pinotage, both J. P. Riordan's mounts, after these northerners galloped brilliantly In training at Riccarton yesterday. Mediate shaded his Cup rival, Ribaldo, and was much superior to Arcon and Mr Subtle over nine fast-run furlongs 37ft out on the course proper. Pinotage did the unusual in sprinting three furlongs on the plough in 34 3-5 in his winding-up gallop for the Stewards’ Handicap. ■‘l’ve never ridden a sprinter who can pull as hard as be does,” Riordan remarked after Pinotagc’s brilliant trial.

In the four-sided Cup trial. Mediate went to the post strongly, a neck ahead of Ribaldo (G. W. Mein) and clear of Arcon (G. Hanimersley) and Mr Subtle (N. Eastwood). Ribaldo appeared to have a slight edge on Mediate near the three furlongs, but the Takaninl stayer was finding a little bit more close to home and won by a neck. He ran the nine furlongs over a firm track In 1.59 4-5, the last half-mile in 51 2-5, and the final three furlongs In 38 4-5. None of the other Cup horses

came in for greater attention and impressed more on the score of strength and well-being than the top-weight, Trelay. With A. H. Eastwood up, he appeared on the plough with Queen Mellay (A. Robinson), and after steady striding work quickened to run half a mile in 49 2-5.

The three-year-olds, Black Rod (D. Harris) and Dhow (N. Cowles) claimed their share of attention by runing seven furlongs on the plough in 1.28, the last four in 49, the final three in 35 2-5. At their present level of fitness they should be two of the top contenders in the New Zealand Derby.

Superspan (J. Pankhurst), a veteran in the cup field, acted young in a good gallop with Blank Cheque (M. Craig) over seven furlongs on the plough. The Wlngatul pair hurried home in 1.28 4-5, the final three furlongs taking 37 2-5. Walk Along (T. Duncan) and Dymytryx (J. Pankhurst) sprinted half a mile on the outside of the course proper in 50, the last three furlongs In 37 2-5.

The Awapunl stablemates, Kaukapakapa (Riordan) and Bompa (Hammersley) sped in from the three furlongs in 35 4-5, finishing on terms. Kaukapakapa has not raced

since January, but this might not find him at any disadvantage in the Stewards’ Handicap.

Sharda (Hammersley) also impressed in his final Stewards’ Handicap trial, easily matching Belphegor (G. Lee), a dashing track worker, throughout half a mile on the course proper in 49 4-5 ,

Other gallops:— Course proper Seven furlongs: Ribolita. clear of Advocat Lad, 1.32 1-5; Barrier, three-quarters of a length to Rebel Lad and Polystyrene. 1.32 1-5; His Bestonc, 1.33 2-5, last 4f in 49 4-5.

Half-mile: Rose Mellay, five lengths Mr Ebee, 54 ' 2-5; King Commander, three lengths Darnley Fair. 50 4-5; Red Chips and Smack, 51 3-5; Sudden Change, 51 3-5; Four Leaf and Pago Queen, 51 4-5. Three furlongs: Trumpet Call, always clear of Sub Indian, 39 4-5. Plough Five furlongs: Romulet, 1.8. Half-mile: Alto, 49 1-5; Vexed, 50 2-5; Panagor, 51 3-5. Three furlongs: Classlco, after pace work. 36; Peak Mellay, 38 4-5; In the Dark and Tua Tahl. 38 1-5; Classic Wave, after pace work, 39 4-5; Topsy, 37 2-5, 1