Brilliant gallop by Tang at Hastings

Press, 17 February 1978, Page 10

Brilliant gallop by Tang at Hastings

Special correspondent Hastings

Another brilliant gallop by Tang at Hastings yesterday morning has stamped her as a seemingly unbeatable proposition at tomorrow’s Sapling Stakes at Woodville. Fast work was done on the plough (fast) and No. 1 grass (firm). Tang was ridden by the apprentice, Brent Smith, and accompanied by a stablemate, Dish, over 800 m. They worked on the No. 1. hard up against the outside rail, with Tang on the outside.

Tang edged ahead of her stablemate over the final 50m and had a good threequarters of a length advantage at the line. The 800 m took 48.65, the final 600 m in 36.65. The Woodville candidate, Chinkara, was let off with an easy workout. He worked

over two rounds at half and three-quarter pace and sprinted the final 600 m in 36.55. He continues to thrive. The Woodville sprint candidate, Al Donte, was a newcomer at the Hastings track. He has been at Palmerston North with Maurice Campbell. Yesterday the Sharivari gelding ran 800 m quietly on the No. 1 grass in 54.85, the final 600 m in 41.55. Dornoch suggested that he will not be long in returning to the winner’s circle with a 1000 m gallop in Imin 2.65, the final 600 m in 37.45. He was partnered by Cloudy Lease but had a clear advantage at the finish. Gai, which will be ridden by the apprentice, Lance Douglas, in tomorrow’s HiBing Handicap at T. Rapa, went a quiet 600 m in 39.85. She looks particularly well and should be in the money.