Amberley Cup rivals gallop impressively

Press, 9 May 1984, Page 45

Amberley Cup rivals gallop impressively

By J. J. BOYLE Top Blend and Handsome Heir, both winners at Rangiora last month, and rivals there in the Amberley Cup this week, were efficient workers in training at Riccarton yesterday. Handsome Heir showed he could muster a sharp sprint to finish a 1200 m assignment on the No. 1 grass. He idled over the opening 400 m in 30.45, but got down to business for the last 600 m, and hurried over that sector in 36.85. Top Blend was brought from Rangiora to gallop on the plough early in yesterday’s training. He was paired with Reckon So to run 1200 m in Imin 18s, the last 600 m in 38.95. Dreamville returned Imin 31.4 s for his 1400 m on the plough, finishing with 40s for the final 600 m. Pamdora hurried in from the 800 m on the grass in 48.65, a trial that could have pointed to an improved run next time out

Silver Print was never near full stretch while running 800 m on the grass in 54.35. Charles Beaufort, one of the top fancies for the Amberley Cup, was not timed when he galloped on the plough, but he finished his work with characteristic dash. He appears to have thrived since his Easter racing, which produced a second and a third at Riccarton. Channel Bay and Aqua Flight sprinted from the 1400 m on the plough in Imin 33.25, the last 600 m in 39.65. Mhorso recorded Imin 33.6 s and Dresden Blue and Matagouri followed in Imin 335. Marche Noir did well to return 37.6 s for 600 m when the plough was becoming tacky in light rain towards the end of training. Earlier, Anticipate returned 38.65; Nassella, in repetition sprints, 42.4 s and 39.85, and Durack and Watese 41s.