Fast work from Standing Ovation

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 48

Fast work from Standing Ovation

Special correspondent Palmerston North Standing Ovation hinted that she could improve on last week’s failure at Wanganui when she recorded a fast time at Awapuni yesterday morning. The grey is engaged in the Newbury Park Stud Handicap at tomorrow’s Waipukurau meeting, and as her form before the Wanganui meeting was sound she

should be given another chance. Peter Ayres, resuming after a long suspension, will ride Standing Ovation, and also Ashmaran in the first leg of the double. He has a few other rides as well. Standing Ovation worked on the lightning fast inside track. She ran 800 m in 48s, the final 600 m in 365. Any easing of the ground tomorrow would be to her liking and there has been rain in the Waipukurau area. Trojan and Marc El, stablemates of Standing Ovation, looked sharp in running 1000 m in 12, the last 600 m in 375. Mark El failed to show up at the Rangitikei meeting, but is better than that and could go well at Waipukurau. Trojan is in the Andrews Mile, but is up against a smart fieldi Misty Pink and Resemblance had the pace on over 600 m in 355. Misty Pink was not at her best when she failed at Levin. She might go a lot better in the Weddel Crown Handicap. Resemblance, a winner two starts back at Hawera, is in the Andrews Mile. Lure ran 800 m in 50s, the last 600 m in 375. She races against the maidens at Waipukurau. Star Raider and His Relm ran together over 1200 m in 1:19, the last 600 m in 395. Both race tomorrow. On the plough Lutece was most impressive. She gave Secretive a start and finished just ahead at the end of 800 m in 50s, the last 600 m in 375. Lutece is very well and could win the Rob Andrews Mile. Secretive, now with Patrick Campbell, must have a chance in the Stockbrokers’ Maiden No. 1. She has not missed a beat since arriving at Awapuni and her last start third at Woodville was a good effort. Mr Milson, an impressive Waikato winner, completed 1600 m in 1.48, the last 600 m in 41s. He is a promising stayer with excellent prospects in the Lion Brown Handicap. Pararoa ran from the 1000 m in 1:6.5, the last 600 m in 38.5, but Merchant Banker was more impressive, taking 1:4, the last 600 m in 38s. He failed in the wet ground at Woodville but could improve in the Union Brewery Maiden. Golden Amethyst and Larrikin are doubtful starters at Waipukurau.