Solid work by Sky Beau

Press, 24 August 1983, Page 32

Solid work by Sky Beau

Special correspondent Hastings

A solid 800 m by Sky Beau highlighted a fairly quiet training session at Hastings yesterday. Hastings stables have only light representation at the Wanganui meeting on Saturday and Sky Beau could be one of their best prospects. He runs in the Gonville Hurdles. Fast work was carried out on the plough (fast) and the No. 1 grass (firm). Sky Beau hit out well in a solid 800 m on the plough in 48.95. He has weighed in in each of his four hurdle starts to date and certainly deserves to win one soon. Saturday will be his first

start over brush hurdles. Ploughman is the other acceptor from Hastings in the Gonville Hurdles but for the last few days he has been based at Woodville where the hurdle jockey, John McGifford, is taking him for his steeplechasing ticket. Providing he gets his ticket, ■ Ploughman could step out over the steeplechase fences on the second day at Wanganui. Hobnob, preparing for the Apprentices’ Handicap at Wanganui, sprinted two lots of 600 m and hit out well each time. She only had a light weight up but still impressed, clocking 36.9 s and 36.85.

Lance and Sement showed a good turn of speed over 1000 m on the plough in lmin 1.65, the last 800 m in 49.4 s and final 600 m in 36.55. Easy Going, one of only a few horses to gallop on the No. 1 grass, ran an easy 600 m in 395. Henton Sky was four lengths clear of Bantry Bay starting their 1000 m workout but held only a length advantage on the line. Her time for the 1000 m was lmin 1.95, the last 600 m in 36.95. Soothe and Sieko Boy took the time honours for the morning when sprinting 600 m in 35.65. They are promising members of Marlene Todd’s stable.