St James stars at Riccarton

Press, 24 July 1987, Page 25

St James stars at Riccarton

By DAVID MCCARTHY

St James was the star of the Riccarton workouts yesterday but Red Chiffon, Black Arrow, Baby Brown, Ampac and Willy Beleica all indicated they were ready for bold runs at the Christchurch Hunt meeting tomorrow.

St James does not run until the Aylesbury Handicap next Saturday and in the meantime a problem his trainer Peter Jones has, is finding suitable company for the brilliant youngster to work in. On Tuesday St James defeated Biko with ease. Jones altered the odds yesterday putting Sharon Reid on Biko in place of Gary Williams but the result did not alter. St James and Grant Davison sprinted in from the 800 m in 52s and the 600 m in 38.55.

Biko may have been overshadowed by his stablemate this week but he is still a useful chance in the Haldon Plate. The outside of the No. 1 grass was soggy but an early worker, Kaouru Prince, ridden by trainer Eddie Low, ran 800 m in 53.25. Maestri (Prendergast) and Applicate (Rickerby) were next and did well running 800 m in 52.65, the last 600 m in a tick over 40s.

Black Arrow (Gardiner) and Palakari (Davison) were sent over 1000 m together and finished on terms. The last 800 m came up in 54.6 s and the last 600 m in 39.55, so it was a useful final trial.

Baby Brown (Dowling), which looks poised to return to her best form, ran a solo 800 m in 54s (13) while Willy Beleica, which steps up to 1600 m this week, was holding Marwitzer (Prendergast) in 54.45, the first 200 m in 12.65.

Ampac again worked strongly going 1000 m, the last 800 m in 54s and the 600 m in 40.8 s with John

Dowling up. Rakau Tiffany produced one of the fastest 600 m of the morning running 38.75. The little grey filly invariably does well on the track but her recent racing has been removes below her best. Perhaps tomorrow could produce some improvement. Red Chiffon (Joyce) and Brit (Prendergast) ran a smart last 600 m of better than 40s, though the 800 m was a more leisurely 54.95, while Can-

zak (Morel) and Turi Del (McKenzie) ran in from the 600 m in 39.65.

Mitzi Gay (Morel) shaded Misnomer (McKenzie) over 600 m, late in the session, in 38.65.

Torchstar (Kenyon) shaded Dester (Diane Pitman) with his weight advantage in 53.9 s (13.4) while Macho Man and Extra Bright were not after time running 800 m in 57s though the first 200 m was at a much faster rate.

Pattacake (Cameron) and Palstep (Prendergast) were together in 55s (12.6) followed by Elizabethan (Biddulph) in 53.15.

Corrie Doon (Davison) and Tidemark (Jan Kerr) worked well, running 800 m in 53s home in, 4Qs. Tidemark looks forward for tomorrow.

Hot Century (Prendergast), by Century, ran a solo 600 m in 42.25. He was a winner from Laurie Laxon’s stable earlier this season.