Empire Rose steals show at Trentham

Press, 29 January 1988, Page 22

Empire Rose steals show at Trentham

Special correspondent Wellington Empire Rose was the centre of attention when final trials for the $300,000 Foster’s Wellington Cup (3200 m were held at Trentham yesterday. But of the cup runners none was more impressive than the Matamata mare, Dungarvan. Work took place on the outside of the course proper, the trial grass and the plough. All tracks were in good shape. No rain has fallen for a week now and the sprinklers were soon in action once fast work had finished. The running rail has been moved back seven metres and the new ground is carrying a good cushion of grass. Empire Rose did her work on the plough. She teamed up with her race-day rider, Tony Allan, and after working a round, some 1800 m, she came to the finish of 1200 m in 1:21.4. the final 800 m in 51.6 s and the 600 m in 38.25. Her trainer, Laurie Laxon, was satisfied with the trial, but he remains cautious about the mare’s feet. She races in special shoes to cushion the pounding that her massive frame dishes out.

Dungarvan had Hypatia for company and the cup rivals worked a round (2100 m on the outside of the course proper. They came from the final 1600 m in 1:50s the'last 800 m in 49.55, and the 600 m in 365. Dungarvan was half a length clear at the end. It was good work by Dungarvan, which won the St Leger at Trentham last season. Michael Coleman rides the mare and she is expected to run the 3200 out strongly. She ran on late for third in the Terrace Regency on Saturday and the staying nature of Trentham should suit her. The odds about Hypatia will be handy as well. Second in the Invercargill Cup, she made ground late for fifth in the Terrace Regency and her rider, Chris Johnson, has had an experience of riding a Wellington Cup winner (Samesaan). Lu was the only other Wellington Cup runner to work. He was third in the race last year and his odds will be good again.

Yesterday on the outside of the course proper he was not hurried, but still recorded 48.8 s for his final 800 m, the last 600 m in 35.65. He gives his rider, David Skelton, the chance to become the third member of his family to ride the Wellington Cup winner following father, Bill, and uncle Bob. Of the others to work, none impressed more than Walkaway, which will bid to win the New Zealand Oaks. An Aythorpe filly from Taka nini which has won once, she had three lengths to spare over Lady Blandford at the finish of 1600 m in 1.455, the last 800 m in 48.6 s and the 600 m in 36.65. Walkaway ran on to get fifth in the Kircaldies Handicap on Monday and she should give her better performed rivals a run for their money. Camallino Star, which contests the $lOO,OOO Jarden Mile, would have lost few friends as she came to the finish of 1400 m, the last 1000 m in I.lls, the 800 m in 52s and the final 600 m in 38.55. She had half a length over her stablemate, Dancer’s Rhythpi. Camallino Star made grqund to finish fifth in the Wrightson Handicap. Her recent wins include the Timaru Cup and the Levin Cup stakes against a good field. Scholar’s Habit, which is in the Pinehaven Handicap ran 800 m in 47.45, the last 600 m in 35.15. A stablemate Taste, which is due to debut at Foxton next week, sprinted smartly on the plough in 375. Count Sian and Naisbie, stablemates in the Stars Travel Handicap, ended their work with 800 m in 495, the last 600 m in 35.55. Naisbie, which was fourth emergency, is back in the field and Count Sian needs a further scratching to gain a run. Hire Purchase, which has not had much luck in either of his runs at meetings, ended with 800 m on the trial in 49.5 s the last 600 m in 36.35. He contests the Telfords Handicap. Key Sian, which is in the same race, ended his task with 800 m in 51.55, the last 600 m in 36.45. The South Island visitors, Canterbury Star and Traffic Dancer, which raced on Monday in the St Leger, were both let off with an easy task on the plough. They are rivals tomorrow in the Pinehaven Handicap.