Pleasing trials by southern jumpers at Ellerslie

Press, 27 May 1981, Page 32

Pleasing trials by southern jumpers at Ellerslie

Special correspondent Auckland Off ‘N’ On and his stablemate, Paulmont, made promising first appearances at Ellerslie during the Auckland racing Club’s organised hurdling and steeplechase; trials yesterday morning. Off ‘N’ On was specially pleasing when jumping five hurdles on the outside of the' course proper; Paulmont a | bit careful to start with but; thoroughly satisfactory once he got going over a round and a bit of the steeplechase course.

Both horses have been brought from Southland for the Great Northerns — the hurdles on Saturday for Off ’N’ On and the steeplechase on Monday for the other horse.

| Ridden by Angus Mavor, a i Southlander who will have j the mount on Saturday, Off I'N* On -allowed Kazan and 1 Burnaby a start, and came ■ home strongly down the outiside to lead them by a ; length after their 1400 m and five jumps. Kazan and Burnaby were about together with Young Jeff alongside. Off *N’ On I ran on as though he could ■ be a good stayer, certainly one to consider on Saturday. Matman shaped up well when winning one of the other three hurdles trials by a length and a half from Flightman, which was clear of Sarona. Matman made the running, at a strong pace, and carried on well to the finish. Shannon Lane had the

first hurdles trial to himself and Barderino was an almost equally clear winner in second.

! Patrone, a popular candidate already for the Great ’Northern Steeplechase, sei cured his following whenj first home in the last of six steeplechase trials, the one in which Paul mon t took' part. The steeplechasers were set 14 fences and about 2400 m starting and finishing with the four jumps through the middle. Patrone led with Sugar King for a while then ran the last 1800 m or so in front on his own. He led over the last fence two and a half lengths clear of Denby Fox, Sugar King and Paulmont

(R. Collett), which finished almost abreast.

I After having a good look at the early fences Paulmont settled down to a smooth display. He was h.ilf a dozen lengths or more from the pace when coming to the flat again, after the hill fences, then ran on nicely. Dual Purpose, in his first experience of the course, took the fifth steeplechase heat by a length and a half from Bardacin with Le Roy next of the three other starters.

Dual Purpose had a “life” or two misjudging several of the early fences but improved as he went along, clear in front always. Diwaili, a disappointment on the flat and new to jumping, showed high promise when he jumped boldly and led all through the first steeplechase heat. He was out by 20 lengths in the finish from Lisa Marie, which had a couple of lengths on Ca Bre, the next home. The other steeplechase winners were King’s Legend, All Heart and Call Nine.

King’s Legend made a particularly good impression, l much too quick for four others and out in front all the way.