Firpo in good shape for Ashburton

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 10

Firpo in good shape for Ashburton

It Is fairly hard to assess! the worth of gallops on the small No. 7 grass at Riccar-| : ton but if appearances andl general well-being count for] anything Firpo should play a| . dominating role in the finish I of the Gordons Handicap at 1 ■ Ashburton next Tuesday. I

Firpo, with his race-rider, | Michael Mein, up, was timed to run the last 600 m of his solo 1000 m workout in 39.2 s. ’ He stretched out boldly in the run home, and- appeared keen to go quicker. The fastest 600 m of the;

morning was recorded by Magellan, which was shading Keeko after reeling off the distance in 37.85. Magellan, a last-start maiden winner at Oamaru, is being prepared for the John Grigg Stakes on the second day at Ashburton tomorrow week.

(Keeko contests the open sprint there on Tuesday. ■ Gretna Green, which re- ! sumes in Tuesday’s sprint after a lengthy spell away from racing, took 40.55. for the last 600 m of her work, lit was discovered only recently that the problem which has kept this smart mare off the scene for almost 17 months was a tiny sliver of aluminium in a hoof.

Of the lesser-lights with engagements at Ashburton to work at speed none im-; pressed more than the laststart Oamaru winner, Karozshah. She gave Spedito . a start of two lengths from the 600 m peg but was up- 7 sides with her stablemate at the post after recording 38.25.

Karozshah is equal topweight for the Eiffelton Handicap on Tuesday. Big Wheel led El Cossack by two lengths at the end of their 600 m gallop in 38s and Spanish Ace was out by

almost the same margin from Nancarrow ending a similar task in 40.35. Precious Mac, which may tilt at Ashburton Cup honours on the. second day if he performs satisfactorily in the Members’ Handicap on Tuesday, was well clear of Monsieur Anton 5 after recording 40.4 s for the last 600 m of their work. : Grevilia was shading Up-1 rising after 600 m in 38.6?; El Pedro and Llala Rookh completed a similar task on terms in 40.6 s and Colpat’s| solo effort took 41.55. I

Ward Street gave Gala! Capri four lengths starts running into the last 600 m of their work but- they were, on terms at the finish in 40.2 s and Delargey was clear of Early Dance completing a! similar task in 40.45. j Brutus, an acceptor at I Gore on Saturday and alsoi at Ashburton .on Tuesday,! will not run at either meet-1 ing according to Ray Harris I who, in' partnership with ’his I wife Barbara, trains the) Balios five-year-old., . .1