Alberjon in fine fettle

Press, 7 September 1989, Page 33

Alberjon in fine fettle

By DAVID MCCARTHY Alberjon, off the scene since the autumn, looked in fine fettle for a spring campaign when paraded at the Doncaster Turf Club trials at Ashburton yesterday. Alberjon, in the hands of Donna Hancock, scooted along the rail to win over 850 m nicely from The Rullah, which is in the care of Alex Cowan, and Mr Claudio, which jumped from the gates satisfactorily. The opposition may not have been formidable, but Alberjon won stylishly and looks the part to strike form quickly. He is likely to resume at Riccarton later this month. Alberjon been in the care of Cowan at Washdyke for hurdling education and showed potential in that role, but will continue his flat career this term.

Star Searcher, a recent trials winner at Riccarton in wet ground, showed firmer going holds no fears for him when he ran out an easy winner of his two-year-old heat. The Ray Pankhursttrained chestnut is a son of the good race mare, Marcel Maria, which was purchased by a southern syndicate, many of whom are also partners in the well-performed Royal Creation, the winner of the feature event at Avondale last night, for $33,000. Marcel Maria has a colt foal by Brilliant Invader and returns to Famous Star this spring. Melody Fox was the pick of the unqualified maiden 850 m runners, bouncing to an early lead and going to the post easily in the hands of Raymond Bruce. A Veloso filly, she had had one previous trial and looks to

have potential. Heaton’s Choice and Gold Bar were the maiden qualifiers over 1200 m. Gold Bar, trained by Graham Barr, at Riccarton, held out a determined bid from I’m A Madam, while Heaton’s Choice gave Donna Hancock her second of three winning rides on the day, scoring stylishly over Nanouska. Results: Track firm. Two-year-olds, 450 m; catchweights.— Heat 1: Pass The Jug (Jug-ular-Grey Dove) 1; Lyphard’s Trick filly 2, Brandon Bay 3. len, iy 2 len. Time: 27.3. Trainer: E. Corboy. Heat 2: Star Searcher (Famous StarMarcel Maria) 1, Haajii filly 2, Noble Car gelding 3. 1 len, iy 2 len. Time: 27.1. Trainer: R. Pankhurst. 850 m, maidens; catchweights.— Heat 1: Classy Lass (Pemberton) 1, Bell Hop

(Kenyon) 2, Reigning Prince (Stephens). 3. 1 len, % len. Time: 51.4. Trainer: N. Donald. Heat 2: Melody Fox (Bruce) 1, Irish Amber 2, Indian Ridge 3. 3 len, 1y 2 len. Time; 52.1. Trainers: P. and D. Williams. Heat 3: Araby (Clark) 1, Dougallen’s Choice 2, Rattle ’n Hum 3. 1 len, y 2 len. Time: 51.9. Trainer: G. E. Jackson.

900 m, all classes; catchweights.— Alberjon (Hancock) 1, The Rullah 2, Mr Claudio 3. Nine started. 2 len, l'/ 2 len. Time: 51. Trainers: A. and L. Prendergast. 1200 m qualifying —

Heat 1: Gold Bar (Pemberton) 1, I’m A Madam 2, Truly Forever 3. iy 2 len, nk. Time: 1.14. Trainer: G. Barr. Heat 2: Heaton’s Choice (Hancock) 1, Manouska 2, Hardy Oak 3. 1 len, y 2 len. Time: 1.13. Trainers: A. and L. Prendergast. 1600 m qualifying.— Paia Royal (Hancock) 1, Marching On 2, Kayzed Seven 3. y 2 len, 1 len. Time: 1.40.7. Trainers: A. and L. Prendergast.