S.L visitors please in training

Press, 13 March 1987, Page 26

S.L visitors please in training

Special correspondent Wellington

Four of the South Island visitors, Dig In, Alberjon, Jonny Alone and Great Zeal did their prospects for the final day of the Wellington Autumn meeting little harm when they worked at Trentham yesterday.

Fast work was done on the plough and the inside of the trial. The going was just easy and presented a good surface on which to work. If rain keeps away in large doses, the course proper should present reasonable footing this week-end. Of all those which

worked, none was more impressive than the Chalmers candidate, Dig In, which skipped over a strong 1000 m on the trial. He came to the finish of his final 800 m in 48.85, the last 600 m in 34.65. Something of an outsider when he was fifth last week in the UDC, Dig In turned in a stout effort and was right up close at the finish. Yesterday he was ridden in his track trial by the Riccarton trainer, Tony Prendergast, so he had a decent weight up, which makes his effort much better. His owner-trainer, Myles Johnson, was yesterday still seeking a suitable rider.

Jonny Alone, the Jarden winner, gets a chance to atone for his failure last week in the Thompson when he tackles the D.B. 1600, and yesterday he was over 800 m on the trial in 51s, the last 600 m in 355. He gave the impression that he could have run a little faster.

The cut-throat early pace brought about his downfall and the trainer, Barry Jones, hopes that he will be able to race handier this time in the weight-for-age contest. Paul Richards returns to ride him.

Great Zeal looked most impressive when cutting out 800 m in 48.75, the final 600 m in 34.55, the fastest 600 m of the morning. The gelding worked on the trial and it was an impressive effort. He beat only a few home last Saturday, but looks improved by the run. Stablemate, Maestri, the winner of the Maidstone Handicap on Saturday, has become a problem for trainer, Ned Thistoll. He was sore for two days after and Thistoll has been unable to get as much work into him as he would have liked. For all that, Maestri may yet get to Trentham tomorrow. Maurice Campbell has been booked. Yesterday he was given a couple of easy rounds on the sand track.

Alberjon, which finished out of the money if not that far away in the Air NZ Handicap on Sat-

urday, looked improved as well as he skipped over 800 m nicely in 50s, the final 600 m in 355. Chris Johnson returns to take the mount.

Of the local runners, Scholar’s Habit continued to impress as he strode over 800 m on the plough in 52.85, the final 600 m in 36.25.

Another Prince, which failed in the Thompson, will be looking for better deeds when he runs in the class 2 Valley, though the distance is 1200 m. On the plough yesterday he eased over his final 600 m in an easy 40s.

Larry Cassidy rides him and Debbie Dee in the Eastbourne. Yesterday the mare hopped over 600 m on the plough in 35.25. She had a solid workout as well last Tuesday.

Fountaincourt was fourth in the UDC last week, and given the fact that he was without room at the top of the straight, it wasn’t a bad effort. He might run a big race in the Chalmers for Tony Allan. Yesterday he ended 2000 m on the trial with 800 m in 53.85, the last 600 m in 365. He doesn’t need much fast work to stay in shape.

Two other locals galloped. Laceration, which may resume at ' either Awapuni or Hastings, completed 800 m on the plough in 54.35, the last 600 m in 36.45.

Special Habit finished with 800 m in 525, the final 600 m in 37.55. He would have liked to travel quicker.