Chinkara fit for Awapuni

Press, 28 April 1978, Page 4 (Supplement)

Chinkara fit for Awapuni

Special correspondent

Hastings Chinkara looked a “ball of muscle” when parading at the Hastings track yesterday morning, suggesting a top effort in tomorrow’s President’s Handicap at Awapuni. The little black has obviously taken no harm from his two hard races at the Hawke’s Bay meeting and he should start a warm favourite for the 2200 m event.

Chinkara was let off with an easy workout with two rounds of pacework on the firm plough. He hit out keenly from the 1000 m on the second round and was timed over the last 800 m in 57.1 s and the final 600 m in 435.

Fog disrupted the timing of many of the early workouts, including the Woodville acceptors Blue Image, Flinders and The Fox.

Time honours went to the Awapuni maiden entrant Pretty Petrel, which scampered over 600 m on the easy course proper in 36.85. She galloped close to the running rail but it was still an excellent time in the conditions.