Northern strength in Guineas clear in training

Press, 12 November 1985, Page 51

Northern strength in Guineas clear in training

By

J. J. BOYLE

There was little between Bonecrusher and Star Board in one of their important clashes as two-year-olds last season. And there was little to choose between them when they wound up for the Feltex Two Thousand Guineas with smart solo gallops on the outside of the course proper at Riccarton yesterday.

Bonecrusher, which, with a pull in the weights, beat Star Board by a nose in the Auckland Racing Club’s Eclipse Stakes last autumn, has also promising early three-year-old form going for him in his bid to win tomorrow’s 5100,000 classic.

The runner-up in the Winstone Great Northern Guineas was flown south in the care of his trainer Frank Ritchie on Friday, has settled in well, and showed plenty of enthusiasm for his work while hurrying over 800 m in 50.2 on the outside of the course proper at Riccarton yesterday. He came through his last 600 in 37.8.

Star Board worked away from the 1600, and quick-

ened going to the 1000 m. He was home from there in 1:0.6, and from the 800 in 50.6 — a solo trial that pleased the chestnut’s trainer, Barry Petley. Petley would have welcomed a gallop in company, but could not get a working companion for his Guineas hopeful. Page Boy, which will be attempting his second Churchill Stakes victory, joined Kaierau Prince to sprint 1000 m in 1.2.4, the last 800 in 50. It was good work by both members of the powerful Paddy Busuttin team. Kelly Boy led Go Henry by a length finishing 1400 in 1:36.6, the last 800 in 53.2.

The Cambridge-trained

Oasis Onassis also showed impressive speed in his winding-up trial for the Guineas.

He beat his race rival, Anteaus, by a length over 1200, cutting out the trip in 1:16, and the last 800 in 50. Ampac and Benlea Boy followed over 1200 in 1:8.6 the last 800 in 50.8.

Tippler, a keen worker with the outside running, ran two lengths clear of his stablemate, Fountaincourt near the end of their 1200, and finished in 1:18, the last 800 in 51.

Tippler pulled hard after starting wide in the Hagley Handicap on the first day of the meeting. Fountaincourt will have his first start at the meeting in the Churchill Stakes to-

morrow. Like a Memory captured attention for The Broomfield tomorrow in beating The Thief from the 800 in 50. The Wellington Guineas winner, Honour Bright, was restricted to 53 for his 800, but In the Glen was on business bent when she came up with 49.4 to beat White Lie by three lengths. In the Glen is in the Members’ Handicap tomorrow. Able Tim and Bijou Leigh returned 50.3 for their 800. Janse Lee sprinted clear of Kitango and Beks to record 36.7 for 600. Vrinsk led Athol Brose by two lengths ending 1000 in 1:6.8, the last 600 in 53.2.