Stakes rivals sprint fast in training

Press, 12 October 1983, Page 34

Stakes rivals sprint fast in training

By

J. J. BOYLE

Hint sprinted fast in training at Riccarton yesterday to further her preparation for the Geraldine Challenge Stakes at Orari on Saturday.

She found her older rivals too strong at weight-for-age in the Woodfield Stakes, won by Clansman, on September 17, but will not have opposition anything like as formidable from her contemporaries this week.

The North Island-owned Three Legs filly was ridden by her race rider, Judy Hawes, when she sprinted 600 m in 36.8 s on the plough yesterday. Sea Poppy was another speedster on trial for the Geraldine Challenge Stakes yesterday, but she did her Eiece on the trial grass efore it was deadened by early morning rain. Sea Poppy returned 48.6 s

for her 800 m, and 35s for the final 600 m.

Pronto King showed he had thrived since winning the Dunedin Guineas by beating Donizetti by half a length and Estaner by close to three lengths over 600 m on the plough. Pronto King returned an impressive 35.45.

Marche Noir, unplaced when favourite in the Dunedin Guineas, was paired yesterday with Pronto King’s stablemate, Babooshka, to run 600 m on the plough in 365.

Handsome Heir ran 1400 m on the plough in Imin 35.25, the last 600 m in 38s. Dominion, in blinkers, beat Kara Dancer from the 600 m by two lengths in 38s.' Lord of the Dance ran 1600 m on the trial grass in Imin 49.85, the last 800 m in 52.25.

Saccone and Our Speed returned Imin 45.8 s for their 1600 m, easing near the end after cutting out the opening 800 m in 51.65.

Bianco Lad did well to return 48.4 s for 800 m in beating Zaneglenn by a length. They galloped towards the end of the training when rain was having some effect on the footing.

Sutch and Binkie’s Double recorded 50.85,' time equalled by Jan’s Nip. • Sutch, the runner-up to Clansman in the 1200 m all classes event at the Riccarton Turf Club’s race trials at Motukarara on Sunday, is a lightweight prospect for the Phar Lap Trophy, second leg of the Geraldine Racing Club’s T.A.B. double on Saturday. Astral Row, with better footing earlier in the morning, sprinted 800 m in 49s and the last 600 m in 36.25.