Heddawin given easy training task

Press, 12 July 1988, Page 37

Heddawin given easy training task

Special correspondent

Wellington Heddawin, which seems certain to be one of the favourites for the $75,M0 Steel and Tube Wellington Steeplechase ($55Mm) at Trentham next Saturday showed yesterday he had taken little harm from his first day run. The eight-year-old Head Hunter gelding was one of a number of visitors at the Trentham track yesterday. Despite the increase in horses at Trentham, there was little in the way of fast work. The going on the outside of the trial was very heavy after overnight rain and there was little in the way of speed work.

Heddawin was third in the Eric Riddiford Steeplechase last Saturday and yesterday owner-trainer John Bullock, of Te Kauwhata, was happy that at last the horse was beginning to settle into his temporary quarters. Apart from an overnight stay, this is the first time that Heddawin has been away from his home for any extended period. He was,'Bullock said, a little dehydrated over the week-end and the trainer had considered the option of a saline drench. But Heddawin has picked up, and yesterday with regular rider Wayne Hillis up was given an easy two rounds on the two-year-old grass. Bullock was pleased with Heddawin’s run. The changing nature of the figure-eight course and one or two of the fences,

particularly the water jump, produced cautious leaps, but Bullock expects Heddawin to show improved technique next Saturday. Pal O’Mine and Jimmy Te Cobai are also still at Trentham. Kevin Crawford said that Pal O’Mine had done well since his stirring win in the Trentham Hurdles and is now ready to face the challenge of Vincere and company next Saturday. He was let off with a light task yesterday. Jimmy Te Cobai will start in the Winter Oats tomorrow and given his race in the Whyte Handicap on Saturday he was given an easy time yesterday. The four-year-old ran a fine fourth on Saturday as he tried to win the race for a second time.

Rotorua trainer Kelly Thompson felt that reverting to 1600 m from 2200 m did not help his cause. Jimmy Te Cobai has an excellent record over ground.

When he won the Whyte Handicap last year, Roy McKay was the successful rider and Thompson hopes that McKay will be on him again tomorrow. While there was not much in the way of fast work, a two-year-old stablemate of Jimmy Te Cobai’s, Jimmy de Mestre, worked down the chute on the course proper. While not after time, he did speed up a fraction to finish his final 600 m in 43. He makes his debut in the first of the Juvenile events at Trentham tomorrow.