Mairo Sultan works well

Press, 15 October 1986, Page 54

Mairo Sultan works well

Special correspondent Auckland A fine workout at Pukekohe yesterday showed this year’s Rowe Cup winner, Mairo Sultan, is ready for a bold first-up race of the season at Alexandra Park at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting on Friday evening. With his owner-trainer, Keith Miller, in the sulky, Mairo Sultan ran 3200 metres in 4min 25.25, the last 800 m in Imin 4.8. It was an exceptionally good run considering the markers were out.

Mairo Sultan has not raced since his Rowe Cup success at Alexandra Park on May 17, but there seems little doubt he will give a solid account of himself in the Metropolitan Life Handicap Trot on Friday. Miller is concerned, however, about how Mairo Sultan will begin in the standing start race. “He has had two runs at Sunday workouts lately,” he said, “and he broke each time.” Mairo Sultan was’ tried three times from a standing start before yester-

day’s workout and he moved away safely each time. But Miller pointed out that there were no other horses with him. “I am hoping he will trot away as well in a field.” Mairo Sultan will next month attempt to complete the Rowe CupDominion Handicap double in the same year. Miller is trying to arrange air transport to Christchurch. “I do not really want to float him down,” he said, “but I will if I cannot get him there by plane.”