Easy work for Ragatan

Press, 25 September 1987, Page 26

Easy work for Ragatan

Special correspondent Hastings

The Hastings ownertrainer, Danny Oatham, does not expect Ragatan to win the second leg of the T.A.B. double at Otaki tomorrow, but he says the gelding should not be far away.

Ragatan rounded off his preparation for the Gressier Stud Handicap with a relatively easy workout at the Hastings track yesterday morning. He looks in great condition.

“I think he has come back better than he was at the same stage last time," said Oatham.

Fast work was done on the plough (firm) and close to the rail on the course proper (hard). Ragatan (Ackland) worked in at three-quar-ter pace from the 800 m peg on the plough and was only let stride out at full gallop over the final 400 m, in 255. He was timed to run the 800 m in 52.55, the last 600 m in 38.15.

The apprentice, Mark Heaney, rides Ragatan in Saturday’s 1400 m race. Heaney was able to claim a 2.5 kg allowance up until Wednesday when he rode

Standing Ovation to win at Waverley. That win pushed his total to 31 wins and he can now. only claim I.skg. It will be some help to Ragatan, , however, as the gelding has been given 56kg. Oatham considers Lady Aloof the one to beat but is looking for a good run from Ragatan just the same.

Our Boyfriend (Sullivan) rounded off his preparation for the first leg of the T.A.B. double at Otaki by running a solo 1000 m on the plough in 1:8.45, the last 600 m in 39.15. He will also be ridden by an apprentice on Saturday — Matthew Woods.

Our Boyfriend needed the run when well beaten at Hastings last start and has improved since that race. He should go a lot better tomorrow, but has to have a firm track to show his best.

Thalia, on the other hand, is looking for a rain-affected track at Otaki to help her chances in the Hermeck Aluminium Handicap. Yesterday Thalia (Lines) ran the last 600 m of an 800 m gallop on the plough in 36.55. Grant

Davison rides her.

Noggin (Jones) completed 800 m on the plough in 49.65, the last 600 m in 36.6 s and this was the fastest gallop on this track. He flopped at Tauranga last Saturday, but came back this season very big in condition and needed the run. He may start to improve from now on and contests the open spring at Otaki.

Busy Bee (McGifford) worked with stablemate, Avanta (Tume), over 800 m on the plough in 50.85, the last 600 m in 38s. Busy Bee contests the final event at Otaki.

Sortee (Hercock) and Connery (Auckland) recorded one of the fastest times on the course proper when running 800 m in 47.65, the final 600 m in 35.35.

Alovera (Woods), an outside chance in the Puhi Maiden at Otaki, was let off with an easy workout. She ran 800 m at just a bit faster than threequarter pace, clocking 57.25, the last 600 m in 42.55. Matthew Woods rides her tomorrow. She fell when in a handy position at Gisborne last week.