Impressive trial by Guest Star

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33790, 12 March 1975, Page 8

Impressive trial by Guest Star

(“The Press” Special Service)

WELLINGTON.

Guest Star was one of the most impressive trialists at Trentham yesterday as he continued his preparation for Saturday’s $14,000 H. R. Chalmers Stakes.

One of his major rivals, Sobeit, also worked well and three of the most prominent St Leger runners, Kenann, Harrisand and Ripbang, showed up favourably.

Work was done well out on the course proper and the times suggested it had firmed somewhat, though there still seems plenty of moisture in the racing surface that will require considerable drying before it is firmer than it was on the first day. Guest Star (Metcalf) worked alone over a mile and a half. He went easily early but was bowling into his 'work at the 1600 metres and came from there in imin 45 2-ssec. It was two seconds slower than Sobeit’s 1600 metres. He ran the last 800 metres in 50 3-ssec and the final 600 metres in a strong 36sec.

Though Guest Star’s time was not the fastest, the striking part of his trial was the improvement he showed on his gallop of last Thursday, when Sobeit beat him by several lengths in Imin 44sec.

Sobeit (Wyatt) worked over the full 3200 metres. She ran the last 1600 metres in Imin 43 2-ssec, finishing very strongly in 49sec for the 800 metres and 36 2-ssec for the 600 metres.

Her stablemate, Harrisand, should be a better prospect in the St Leger than he was in the Thompson Handicap (1600 m last week, when he finished thirteenth. Ridden by Des Wyatt, he worked over the full St Leger distance of 2800 metres yesterday and saw it out well. He went freely early and ran the last 2000 metres in 2min 19 3-ssec but had enough left to finish with 1600 metres in Imin 44sec, 800 metres in 50sec and 600 metres in 36sec. He went to the post strongly and pulled up well. Kennan (MollOy) looked well after his impressive President’s Handicap victory. He worked quietly from the 2400 metres to the 1000 metres and sprinted from there, running the last 800 metres in 53sec and 600 metres in 39sec.

Ripbang (Wilson), who was disappointing in the President’s Handicap after his Wellington Derby second in January, looked well enough when he sprinted 600 metres quite comfortably in 36sec. Don Foley, who rode him in

the Derby, will again ride him in the St Leger. Ripbang’s stablemate Fraxable (Wilson) ran 600 metres in 37sec. His ability to stay 3200 metres may be a little doubtful, but he is well. Bruce Compton will ride him. John Doe, a jumper, worked well to shade Grey Way over 800 metres in 50sec, the last 600 metres in 36sec, with Tokyo Lad two lengths behind them. Tokyo Lad led to the straight, where Grey Way joined him. As Grey Way went to the front near the 200 metres John Doe was urged along a little and finished about a neck in front.

Jocasta, Battle Fury and Sugatariat, who have al! done well since Saturday, did light work. Battle Fury, who gave a good staying performance to win the Plunket, is as fresh as he was before the race. The three should make a great race of the $lO,OOO Wakefield Stakes along with Guest Artist, who took 50 3-4 sec for 800 metres. He did not start because of a wide draw last week and has drawn badly again.