Firpo fighting fit for hurdles debut

Press, 4 June 1982, Page 21

Firpo fighting fit for hurdles debut

By J. J. BOYLE Firpo embarks on a hurdling career at Wingatui tomorrow but he showed the dash expected of a top sprinter in his winding-up gallop at Riccarton yesterday. He had conditions that could have hardly been bettered in mid-suritmer — fast footing on the plough and a still atmosphere — and he capitalised on them to reel off 1400 in Imin 275. He hurried over the opening 800 in 48.2. Firpo's stablemates, Le Valet and Kelly Robe, sprinted from the 600 on the plough in 37.8. Le Valet has good credentials for the Brighton Handicap at Wingatui tomorrow. Arafura Sea and Octane were up to speed at the 800 m and bustled over the final 600 in 36. Arafura Sea shapes as if

she will be one of the improvers in the Silverpeaks Handicap at Wingatui. Octane gets her chance as a light weight candidate for the Prince Charles Handicap. Duvall, a runner for Michael McCann's stable in the Brighton Handicap at Wingatui. recorded 37.2 for 600. Camatoga and Full Floater followed in 36.2, and Indigod in 38.6. Tipsy Too and Gay Fripon ran. their 800 in 51.6 and the final 600 in 38.2. Tipsy Too is a form runner for the Pitman stable in the Mansfield Sixteen Hundred at Wingatui. Zarafa outpaced King's Robe over 1200, finishing two lengths clear in Imin 18.8 s. The Wingatui-bound GreyAppro was paired with Gin Time to run 1600 m on the No. 1 grass in Imin 49.25. the last 800 in 54.2.