Cop This decisive winner at trials

Press, 9 June 1978, Page 9

Cop This decisive winner at trials

Bv

R. D. GARDINER

Cop This and La Tigue ran out decisive winners of their respective heats of the 1000 m qualifying trial for two-year-olds at Motukarara yesterday. Cop This, a son of Copsale and the winning Shifnal mare, Lady Willett, disputed the pace throughout his heat and was untroubled to keep out Spritely Miss over the concluding stages by a length. Admiral Cup made ground well for third, half a head in front of Communion. Cop This shaped promisingly at his debut when he finished sixth behind Lady Mahal in the Barn Handicap at Riccarton last month. Trained at Riccarton by Mavis Harris, Cop This is being prepared for the Ashburton meeting in a couple of weeks. La Tigue, riden by Coleen Christensen, showed sharp speed in winning the second heat by three lengths in Imin ssec on a soft track. La Tigue, a Forty Winks II colt, in Mike McCann's stable, was always in front and comfortably beat Leonardo and Majestic Return, both of which made ground well in the run home. McCann plans to start La Tigue in maiden company at Oamaru tomorrow week while his stablemate, Majestic Return, will be reserved for Timaru next month. The most impressive maiden qualifier was Taitan, a brother to the fine jumper, Terex. A four-year-old, Taitan was travelling effortlessly at the end of 1200 m in Imin 18sec as he held out Denali by a long head. Taitan is trained at Washdyke by Eric Jackson and will be tried over the fences at the Washdyke jumping trials on Saturday, as will Terex. Both are likely to start on the flat at Oamaru. j Denali, a half-brother by Belborough to Europium and Zing, shaped promisingly for second, clear of My Marie and Tarrsus. Supreme Asset qualified in ithe other heat after fighting iback to beat Gemastra by a .head in Imin IS.bsec.

Bellastoi, which was slow away, made ground for third seven lengths back with a head to Philshar (fourth). Hi Roona showed all his abundant speed when annihilating the Class-1, 2, and 3 field over 1200 m. Brian Hibberd shot Hi Roona clear as the gates opened and he waltzed away to beat Jutland by twelve lengths in imin 16sec. Ajaccio filled third, two lengths back, a nose in front of Gran Torino. Flight Master, Braque and Rosie’s Boy were next home. Party Godess showed her readiness for Ashburton when she held out Salonika by a head in the event for all classes over 1600 m. Party Goddess and Salo-

nika were both travelling well at the line two lengths in front of Or Boy, which tired over the final 300 m after seting the pace. Lord Fable and Coldor were close up next. Other results were:— Two-year-olds, about 450 m—- . Decree 1, Sarbarell 2, Good Way 3. J neck, 2 lengths, neck. Azemlss fourth. Time: 25sec. Eight started. Maidens, about 450m.—Grey Queen 1, Ojallax 2, Hula Rose 3. 3 lengths, 2J lengths, J neck. Time: 25sec. Five started. Class 4, 5 and maidens, IOOOm. —Double Vision 1, Santa 2. Royal Motto 3. Length, S length, 2 lengths. Star Drive fourth. Time: Imin 7sec. Six started. Class 4, S and maidens, 1200 m —Yum Seng 1, Major MrCann 2, Cairnbrae 3. Head, head, 2J lengths. Dictation fourth No time given.