El Capitan takes time honours

Press, 16 September 1987, Page 33

El Capitan takes time honours

Special correspondent Palmerston North

El Capitan stood out in training at Awapuni yesterday morning. The grey ran 800 m on a soft course proper in a time that was seconds better than anything else. El Capitan ran a bold race in the Wanganui Guineas after showing promising form earlier. He is a candidate for the Honda Civic Handicap at this week’s Marton meet-

ing and judging by his work yesterday he should

win. Maurice Campbell has been engaged to ride him.

With plenty of rain over the last few days the track was soft. Marton officials will be hoping for an improvement later in the week as the programme for the meeting at the week-end looks an exciting one, with the Highview Metric Mile drawing a high-class field.

On the course proper, El Capitan was most impressive running 800 m in 50.65, the last 600 m in 37.25. He finished full of running and is in great order.

Amorous, which missed a start at Hastings, is up against El Capitan this week. Yesterday she completed 600 m in 38s and was going well in the ground. She should run her usual honest race on Saturday.

Sophie’s Secret, looking none the worse for her race on Saturday, ran an easy 600 m in 39.55. She will be better suited by 2300 m this week, especially if the ground remains soft. She is in the Motorcorp Handicap, a qualifying distance for the Melbourne Cup.

Gritlass was never at top over 800 m in 59.45. She resumes in the Honda Civic Handicap at Marton with Jenny Harris having her first race ride.