Dashing trial by Hi Roona

Press, 25 February 1977, Page 1 (Supplement)

Dashing trial by Hi Roona

Hi Roona showed dash and sharp speed at Riccarton yesterday in his final trial for thi Autumn Handicap, second leg of the Otago Racing Club’s T.A.B. double tomorrow. The former northerner speo over 800 m on the trial grass, which gave firm fooling in 48.8 sec. Race rider, Brent Lee, found a ready response from the chestnut when he asked him for a bit extra in the straight. Hi Roona’s stablemate anil race rival, Kowhai Glen, was paired with Gotta Go for 1000 m and they ran their last 800 on terms in 50.2. Kowhai Glen will be back tc his best distance of 1400 m at Wingatui, and will give the best rd the southerners plenty to do. Tom Lalor had not engaged a rider for Kowhai Glen yesterday. Lalor's own colour bearer, the Ashburton-trained Great Blaze, will be ridden by David Walsh. Walsh will also ride Gotta Go in the Mosgiel Handicap, and this should be a formid ■ able combination. I Thrrnas Mellay, likely [favourite for the first leg of the double at Wingatui. was [booked to travel south yes

.lerday, and was let off with pace work on the sand. [ Lady Aristoi, one of the top fancies for the Otago Mannequin Stakes, was never above three-quarter pace on the grass. Franciscos put plenty of dash into his work while running 800 in 49.65ec. Tackle recorded s(>sec, and appeared to do her work well.

Nuriootpa did not have to exert himself greatly to return 51sec. He will return north next week for another campaign at Trentham Nuriootpa’s stablemale. Manuka Street, was up to speed near the 1200 m and ran in from the 800 in 50 4 He was keen to go on with it- . Stagdance broke away [clear of Sound Barrier and [Anthos and retained an advantage of several lengths to complete 800 in nicely in [so.4sec. I Deep Mystery finished his work by running 800 in !51 sec Godsend took 53.2 in .one of her first gallops after |a freshener. There should be 'bright opportunities for her when the tracks ease. Cyllenius picked up ground lin the straight to lead Joe l Khan by half a length after [running 800 in 50 B.ee.