Chips are down for Riccarton trialists

Press, 4 July 1985, Page 30

Chips are down for Riccarton trialists

By

J. J. BOYLE

Riccarton’s new woodchip training track is coming under increasing attention from the trainers, and it was the trialling ground yesterday for Queen’s Pal in her winding-up sprint for her engagement at the Timaru meeting tomorrow. The star of the Prendergast stable sprinted in from the 600 easily in 40.4. She looks bright and strong for the Marac Handicap, second leg of the Timaru double, in which she is top weight with 57.5 but will be weight relief as the mount of the stable apprentice, Jan Cameron. Earlier Queen’s Pal’s stablemate and close relation, Young Nick, sprinted 800 on a firm No. 1 grass with Noble Note in 50, the last 600 in 36.4. Young Nick will race on the. second day of the Wellington winter meeting. Noble Note, a big winner for John Bourne’s stable, might resume in the 1200 m sprint at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting. Young Hawk, a runner for the Bourne stable at tomorrow’s Timaru meeting, sprinted pleasingly with Lockwood yesterday. They finished 800 on terms in 47.6, reeling off the final 600 in 35.

The stablemates Cahir and Tipsy Too started at the 1600, and ran their final 800 in 49.6. Upper Cut and Karayarkin got through their 1600 in 1.55, the last 800 in 50.8. Epping Valley dashed in from the 1800 in 48. She failed to run out 1600 at Ashburton, but is back to 1200 at Washdyke tomorrow.

Marche Noir recorded 50.8 for his 800. Blarney Fair was restricted to 51, an effort matched by Boots Again. Pronto King showed dash while running 600 with Cattle Lass and Raker In in 34.9. Pronto King might be equal to a bold run fresh up in the Marac Handicap at Washdyke.