Small Hastings team for Wellington

Press, 6 May 1983, Page 21

Small Hastings team for Wellington

Special correspondent Hastings

Hastings stables will have only light representation at tomorrow’s Wellington meeting with John Steed, Ice Blue, Stylish and Toltec all declared doubtful starters. John Steed lost some skin when he hit a fence in the Matahiwi Steeples at Woodville on Wednesday and his trainer, Norval Temperton, says he will not be running at either Trentham or Poverty Bay tomorrow. Ice Blue and Toltec, both placed third at Woodville, could be saved for races next week while Stylish may be reserved for the final day at Trentham. Nioami and Rojika, preparing for the Cuddle Stakes at Trentham, were let off with light workouts yesterday morning, as was Our Boyfriend, which runs in the Gloaming Stakes. Nioami was kept under a firm hold throughout 800 m and recorded 52.55, the last 600 m in 39.15. She looks to have done well since finishing third at Woodville last Saturday. Phillip Smith will ride her again tomorrow. Rojika ran the last 600 m of her workout in 38.15, a time she could have improved on had she been extended.

Rojika has also trained on well in the last couple of weeks and is ready for her big test tomorrow. The apprentice, Paul Worthington, has the mount.

Another apprentice, Mark Barnsley, will team up with Our Boyfriend in the Gloaming Stakes. Yesterday Our Boyfriend covered two rounds of solid pacework. He looks particularly well. The stablemates, Claymore Boy and Ponga, turned in one of the better 1200 m gallops of the morning, running home their last 1000 m in Imin 2.45, the final 600 m in 36.45.-

Claymore Boy is a candidate for the Poverty Bay Cup tomorrow with Maree Lyndon the rider. Whitole was another which worked well over 1200 m, running the last 1000 m in Imin 1.4 s and final 600 m in 3725.

Giovanni, entered for the Poverty Bay meeting, worked over 800 m in 51.95, the last 600 m in 38.85.