Commissionaire looks back to best form

Press, 18 December 1985, Page 48

Commissionaire looks back to best form

Special correspondent Palmerston North

Commissionaire .is no “has been.” The top weight-for-age performer served notice on his Fletcher Steel Easy Steel Stakes rivals that he will be no pushover when he galloped brilliantly at Awapuni yesterday morn-

ing. ■ ■ ' Noel Eales’s pride and joy is in a first-class line-up in* one off the feature races on the first day of the Manawatu meeting. He will be ridden by Peter Johnson, although the top jockey, David Walsh, did the honours yesterday morning. He tides Abit Leica in the same race. Walsh was very impressed by the way Commissionaire worked his 1000 m with the fast improving Silyer Elm. Commissionaire has raced only twice this season, running second first-up at Masterton before finishing a good fourth at Ellerslie at the end of last month. He has obviously thrived since. Magnitude, in the hands of his race day rider, Noel Harris, worked in his best style over 1000 m on the course proper, while others to shine included Lomondy, Squire Gray and Irish Piper. Working on the plough Commissionaire and, Silver Elm clapped the pace on from the start of 1000 m which they completed in lmin 3s, the last 600 m in 395. It was the best of the morning and both finished strongly. Silver Elm seems over some problems, and is down to race on later .days at Awapuni. Lomondy and High Command covered 1400 m in lmin 335, the last 600 m in 40.65, with Lomondy going strongly. He ran a fine race at Trentham and will be hard to beat in the Sher-

wood Motor Inn Handicap. Walsh rides him. High Command looks well but has been rather disappointing. He is in the highweight Squire Gray ran 600 m in 38s and did it impressively. He is a top youngster down to clash with Auto Air and a few others in the big two-year-old race on Saturday. Tony Allan rides him. Irish ' Piper and .Wellson covered 1200 m in lmin 235, the last 600 m in 41.45, and they could have improved on the time. Irish Piper is right in form and looks a top chance in the Axis Handicap while Wellson’s bold race at Wanganui will win him friends for his engagement on Saturday. Super Tai, another engaged in the stakes, ran evenly over 1200 m in lmin 19.65, the last 600 m in 39.65. He ran a top race at Trentham and is another top miler to ponder over on Saturday. Mr Trick ran from the 800 m in 545, the last 600 m in 40s, and he looks fit for his Otaki engagement today. Fantastic, which continues to race well without much luck, ran 1600 m in lmin 45.55, the last 600m'in 40s. He was not far away at Trentham and must be a good' chance in the Sherwood.-

A later day runner, Tiroji, and Private Poppy did good work over 1200 m in lmin 20.55, the last 600 m in 40.55. Both look likely improvers. Star Hope completed 800 m in 525, the last 600 m in 395, and Definite Dee was timed over 1000 m in lmin 6s, the last 600 m in 40s. Jet Bet ran 1000 m easily in lmin 8s and Landsdowne was timed over his last 800 m in 55.65, the last 600 m in 41.25.

Logical Miss was impressive running 1000 m in lmin

4s, the last 600 m in 40s. He is in top form for the Axis Handicap after a grand last start second at Waipukurau Proud Seal, a winner at Waipukurau, was keen to go over 1000 m in lmin 4.65, the last 600 m in 40.65. She is in fine fettle for the United Building Society Handicap. Perlita and Inclusion were evenly matched running 1000 m in lmin 4.45, the last 600 m in 39.45. Both are engaged on Saturday. On the course proper, Magnitude impressed Noel ' Harris when he recorded lmin 6.6 s for 1000m,* the last 600 m in 38.25. . The star miler has a great record at Awapuni and he is .ready for a big race in the Fletcher Stakes. He has not looked - back since returning from ; Australia. -

Rapanella ran. from the ■ 1600 m in lmin 49.65, the last ' 600 m in 38.2 s being the fastest part of the gallop. ' Royal Vain required lmin 4.4 s for 1000 m, the final 600 m in 38.45, and Kiba ■ Dachi covered 800 m in 53.45, • the last 600 m smartly in 37.45.

Our Show and Mr Gilpin ran 800 m in 5L6s, the last 600 m in 38s, and Colonial March and Bai Volant ran 800 m in 50.65, the last 600 m in 37.25. •

. Axle and Anthropology completed 1400 m in -lmin 345, the last 600 m in 38.65. Axle looks a chance in the Marac ' Handicap, while Anthropology is in good order for a fresh start . against the maidens. • Kistan and Middle Hun ■ were paired over 1000 m in • lmin 6s, the last 600 m in 37.65.

French Polish was to work later. She came through her Otaki gallop in fine style and will add .a lot of interest to the Trumps Eulogy Stakes.