Dark Trophy attractive winner of Riccarton trial

Press, 27 July 1983, Page 38

Dark Trophy attractive winner of Riccarton trial

By J. J. BOYLE Dark Trophy was one of the most impressive of several two-year-olds to sprint from the starting gate at Riccarton yesterday. He has placed form in his racing from Michael Pitman’s stable and could break through for his first win in the Christchurch Hunt’s first Haldon Plate on Saturday. Trials from the starting gate were held on the No. 1 grass over a distance of approximately 600 m. They were delayed for a time to allow the ground to thaw after a stiff frost.’ Dark Trophy, ridden by Sharon Reid, won the third heat in 345, finishing comfortably clear of Jack Spratt. Dominion was third. Sea Poppy and Whistling Star, rival candidates for the second Haldon Plate, were other heat winners.

Sea Poppy led all the way to win the second heat, also in 345, by a length and a half from Just Battling. Thorabelle was third.

Whistling Star won the fourth heat by a length from Sub Poena in 34.25. She is by Streaming Star and is from

the Beri stable which might have eight two-year-old runners on Saturday. Cara Dancer, a three-year-old filly in the Beri team, won the first sprint from the gate yesterday. She sped clear early and won by three lengths from Gaffa, with Laughing Lover and Buffy Beaufort best of the others. The closest contest from the starting gate had Dairne, Moat and Royalda Queen as the main contenders. Royalda Queen finished a neck behind the other pair. Work on the outside of the course proper was notable mainly for a dashing sprint by Handsome Heir, the top weight in the Kennels Handicap on Saturday. The North Island-owned chestnut led Sharlanza by two lengths finishing 800 m in 51.85. Handsome Heir was showing signs of a blood disorder after he failed at the Waimate Hunt meeting, but the trouble cleared quickly. He should be close to his best for the third leg of the T.A.B. treble on Saturday.

Whirl was shading Fairway Lass and was clear of Prinz Eugen, which had led early, after running 800 in 56.25.

Fairway Lass damaged a heel in this gallop on a frost-firm track and could be out of action for some time.

Clansman, burly and bright and obviously thriving in preparation for a spring campaign, ran in from the 600 m in 40.25.

His stablemate, Charles Beaufort, reeled off 800 m in 51.35, a sprint that could have a bearing on the result of the Camla Handicap on Saturday. Lord of the Dance led Watese by two lengths finishing 800 m in 56.85.

Astral Row followed in 54.85, and Sunny Bird in 52.4 s in beating John Speed. Sunny Bird is one of the reserves for the first Haldon Plate on Saturday.

Lord Beaufort and McKendrick came up with 53.2 s for their 800 m, and Ariage and Auk Princess followed in 565. Rattle the Sabre was showing ahead of The Kid finishing 800 m in 52.25.

His Latest, another two-year-old in Peter Jones’s team, was paired with War Sabre for 800 m in 53.85.

God Free followed in 54.6, an effort matched by Kusadasi.

Tipsy Too sprinted from the 600 m behind Arafura Sea and Worldly Mist in 40.45, then was taken on for a second 600 m sprint, this time in 47.85.

Tipsy Too is a local hopeful for the Longbeach Hurdles on Saturday.

Upper Cut was restricted to 58s for his 800 m. He will resume in the Camla Handicap on Saturday. Marche Noir, a promising second at Washdyke last Saturday, recorded 41.2 s for his 600 m. He should be one of the top chances in the first Haldon Plate. Paulmont and Off An On did individual working gallops, each in the hands of the Riverton trainer, Bill Hillis.

The Wingatui trainer, Graeme Offen, was on the tracks with Bymai, Lord Venture and Melling Road, and Auditory will be brought north to join them tomorrow.