RACING Rustaveli in form for Trentham

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33434, 16 January 1974, Page 8

RACING Rustaveli in form for Trentham

“The Press’’ Special Service WELLINGTON. Rustaveli, the winner of his last two starts and a candidate for Saturday's $50,000 Wellington Cup. was the main attraction at Trentham \ esterdav—and even he did not work fast.

Rustaveli, ridden by his race day jockey, K Reggett. was keen when he did pace work. He looks a picture, and the way he has disposed of hig fields in his last two starts confirms his fitness.

As is often the case at Trentham these days, few visiting horses had arrived yesterday, and those which had were not ready to work at speed. Rustaveli’s owner-trainer, T. Magee, who said yesterday that he did not customarily work his horses fast on the usual fast day, Thursday, intends to give Rustaveli what will probably be his last gallop before the Cup this morning. Rustaveli’s Marton win earned him a rehandicap of two kilograms in the Cup, bringing his weight to 51 {kg., the equivalent of Bst 21b. Mogador, which won at Avondale on Saturday, has been given a penalty of 21kg., making his Cup weight 53kg.

There have been four scratchings from the Wellington Cup so far — Mellay Vite, Bronze Legend, Executive, ancj Hasty Min — which means that Purdie, Cradenly, and Wool Away are assured of a run. The one fast trial at Trentham yesterday was run by the local filly Chindi (Coulter), which worked over the correct distance on the course proper and ran 800 metres in 50 4-5, the last 600 in 36 4-5.

The swelling in her off fetlock which prevented Chindi from starting at Marton is still evident, but at this stage there seems every chance that she will start in the Pencarrow Handicap. C. Jillings’s three-horse Takanini team, Persian Sun, Gay Poriko, and Sir Gallivant worked quietly in the centre. All three will be ridden on Saturday by B. F. Andrews. Woodville

Count Kereru took time honours at Woodville yesterday morning, and looks a fine chance In the Anniversary Handicap at Trentham on Saturday.

Glengowan. top-weight in the! Wellington Cup, worked satisfactorily in his semi-final trial. Fast work took place on the plough, which was fast. Count Kereru galloped 1200 metres Impressively in Imin 14 2-ssec, the last 600 in 36 3-ssec.

Glengowan and Hi Vita ran 1600 metres together, coming over the last 1400 in Imin 30 2-ssec, last 1200 in Imin 16 4-ssee, and last 600 in 37sec. Glen gowan drew out in the last few strides to finish a length and a half ahead.

That’s Luck sprinted 800 metres easily in 49sec in preparation for the Telegraph Handicap. He could be at good odds on Saturday.

Sharif was given solid work on the sand. He will attempt to; win the Telegraph Handicap for the second year on end Tiptoe; will not start In this race, according to her trainer, E.| Ropiha. Country Flight and Sundowner pleased over 1200 metres in Imin 15 4-ssec, the last 600 in 391 3-ssec. Awapuni Graven Spa, an acceptor for; the Ashhurst Cup on Monday,; ran most Impressively in training at Awapuni yesterday morn-i Ing, shading Kaukapakapa at the Soccer.—Oldham Athletic has beaten Cambridge United, 2-1, in an English Football Association Cup third round second replay match at Nottingham. Oldham I Athletic will now meet Burnley; at home in the fourth round on I January 26.

Squash.—The top Australian aquash player. G. Hunt, was beaten by G. AUaudin i Pakistan) In the north-west England squash championships at St Anne’s. AUaudin won 5-9. 9-5, 9-6. 9-7.

end of a fast 1200 metres on the plough. Lovely Honey ran a good trial for the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham, andi Purdie registered fast figures, for a mile. O i the plough. Graven Spa I shaded Kaukapakapa at the end : of 1200 metres in Imin 15sec,l the last 600 in 39sec after a fast opening 400 in 23 3-ssec. Kaukapakapa will contest the' Anniversary Handicap on Satur-, day, and then the Adams Mile. R. .1. Skelton will ride him in both races.

Purdie was most impressive, galloping a mile in Imin 42 l-ssec, the last 300 m in 38 4-ssec. He has been racing poorly but yesterday’s gaUop was exceptional.

Dresden Belle ran 800 metres in 49 4-ssec, the last 600 in 37 l-osec. She is in good heart for the Fitzherbert Handicap. Mister Pompous covered 1200 metres in Imin 20sec. the last 600 in 39 3-ssec. He has thrived since his good race in the Pahiatua Stakes. D. A. Peake will ride him in his Trentham engagements. Supcrl was just in front of Takinga at the end of 1200 metres in Imin 16 3-ssec. the last 600 in 39sec. Takinga looks a top chance for the high-we'ight at Trentham.

Suisen reeled off 1200 metres In Imin 16see, the last 600 in 39sec, wh e Sovereign Star and Kessef recorded Imln 21 2-ssec for 1200 metres, the last 600 in 39 2-ssec.

Lovely Honey ran a first-class trial for the Telegraph Handicap' when she ran solo over 10001 metres in Imin 2 3-ssec, the last! 600 in 39sec. It was the best! of the morning over the; distance. Hastings Oncide showed her readiness for the Wellington Cup with a| bold gallop at Hastings yester-l day morning. Partnered by! Minicort, an acceptor for the' Ashhurst-Pohangina Gold Cup, she highlighted the morning’s work.

Sugar Talk, one of the form runners for the Camp Handicap, was another to run an impressive trial. Amongst the juveniles. Sky, Hay, and Cathay stood out.

The course proper, with the pegs out the usual distance, was; again hard, and the plough verydeep and holding. On the course proper. Oncide

galloped from the 2000 metres, picking up Minicort at the 1400. They ran their last 1200 metres in imin 16 4-ssec, and the last 600 in 39sec.

Oncide has had a solid preparation for the Cup. Her hardest task will be to manage the distance, but she shone in her Hastings Gold Cup win. Minicort should go his usual honest race in the Ashhurst feature. He. too, was a handicap, winner at Hastings. Sugar Talk galloped 1400 metres in Imin 29sec, the last 1000 in Imin 2sec, and the last 600 in 37 2-ssec. She looks exceptionally well. Wanganui The Wellington Cup entry, Mystic Dancer, and the highly capable Tea, provided the highlights at Wanganui yesterday, where the track session was quieter than usual. Working 15 metres out on the firm course proper. Mystic Dancer galloped a round and sprinted the last 600 metres under a strong hold in 40sec. She loped over another circuit, and ended this tvith 600 effortlessly in 38Jsec. Tea went easily from the 800 metres in 51 l-ssec, the last 600 in 37 4-ssec. He has had trouble yvtih a leg, but seems to have recovered, and looks really strong to race on the later days at Trentham.