Soft track will suit Rockford tomorrow

Press, 19 September 1980, Page 1 (Supplement)

Soft track will suit Rockford tomorrow

Special correspondent Awapuni Rockford could come into his own when he contests the Hatuma Handicap at Marton tomorrow. The prospect is for a heavy track and Rockford looked really sharp in his final trial here yesterday morning. The course proper has. not been firm since March and there was rain again on Wednesday. Soft to heavy ground is a certainty. Rockford and Solitaire worked on the inside trial. They galloped strongly all the way with rockford just in front at the end of 1400 m in Imin 375, the last 600 m in 425. Rockford has been waiting for a heavy track. He ran a fair race last start at Wanganui and holds a definite chance this week. On the plough Honey Bee looked very fit, running 1400 m in Imin 345, the last 600 m in 395. She did not do

well on her trip to Hastings last week and her failure might be best forgotten when she lines up in the first leg tomorrow. Hirelm was doing better than Peace Train at the end of 1200 m in Imin 265, the last 600 m in 42.65. Hirelm seemed to handle the ground well.

So did witchety, which shaded Camargue at the end of 1400 m in Imin 365, the last 600 m in 425. Witchety has freshened really well and holds one of the better chances in the Hurdles tomorrow.

One of the best workers yesterday was the maiden Sy Lady, which shaded Nun at the end of 800 m in 535, the last 600 m in 39.65. Shy Lady finished impressively and could go close in the Bonny Glen Maiden. Koiro Trelay was more impressive than Glister at the end of 1400 m in Imin

37.45, the last 600 m in 42.25. Koiro Trelay is coming along in fine style and will race next at Otaki.