AWAPUNI ACTIVITIES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 151, 23 March 1938, Page 17

AWAPUNI ACTIVITIES

Visiting Horses Work SOME SMART GALLOPS Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, March 22. The semi-final gallops of horses engaged at the Manawatu Racing Club’s autumn meeting this week attracted attention at Awapuni this morning, and interest was added by the work of a large number of the visiting horses who came straight on from Trentham. Heavy rain last night and showers during the training operations this morning made the going greasy and heavy on the course proper, where the flags were out about 40 feet. The Thompson Handicap winner Oratory was most impressive in her five furlongs, and Wildflower also went well over this distance. The South Island colt Defaulter dashed over three furlongs smartly, as did Florence Mills and Ivar. Ambition ran the best six furlongs, and Royal Choice the smartest seven. Quadroon impressed over a mile, and there were some good schooling bouts over hurdles, in which Bing Boy and/ Hirangi attracted attention. Royal Limond was another to shape well. As soon as the weather lifted Ambition (Howe) opened proceedings by running six furlongs in 1.21 2-5, after taking 55 for the first half-mile. He came home very nicely, and is much improved. Howe will ride him in the Woodhey Handicap. Great Hope and The Bigot were apportioned similar tasks, and Laughing Lass, who is not entered the first day, •worked on the inside grass. Oratory (Howe) hit out with her usual brilliance from the five furlongs post to clip 39 for the initial three, and she came home full of running _ to register 1.5 2-5 for the full distance. Oratory looks improved, if anything, by her two races at Trentham, and is in first-claw order to contest the Awapuni Gold Cup, in which she will have the services of S. Wilson. Hack’s Good Seven. Royal Choice (Howe) set the main for Hunting Queen (Tattersail) from the seven furlongs, and was going just as well as the mare at the finish, to run the journey in 1.37, the first half-mile in 56. They came home strongly, running the last six furlongs in 1.23 2-5. It was a good effort for a hack, as Hunting Queen appears to be in good condition. Howe will ride both on Friday, and will also pilot Great Hope in the sprint. Stretto (E. Pine) was not allowed too much latitude and worked fairly quietly over a couple of rounds, sprinting up the straight each time. She is holding her condition well, and in the Gold Cup she will have the services of P. Atkins. Rehearsal, with his trainer in jhe saddle, worked on the course. He impressed as being greatly improved by his initial outing at Trentham on Saturday and the half-brother to Chief Ranger looks a good colt. Icing and Chat, both looking well, worked on the inner grass. Icing is not a 'big filly, but she looks very solid. Clessamor (.Shaw) worked strongly over two rounds, pulling hard, and sprinted home from the three in 40 2-5. Wildflower (Brown) was always on the bit throughout her five furlongs,. which occupied 1.6 1-5, the first three* in 40. She had a big weight up anfl the effort was a good one. Jack Tar, who will be ridden by B. J. Ellis ’in the North Island Hack Plate on Saturday, worked well over two rounds, sprinting up the straight. He is a solidlooking hack. Forest Glow (Parkes) jumped smoothly over a round of the schooling hurdles. He is engaged the second day and will not be neglected if produced. Cletrac Shows Improvement. Cletrac (Thomson) always appeared to have the measure of Skyfull (Brown) over seven furlongs in 1.37 4-5, the first five in 1.8 2-5. Cletrac, who will be ridden by C. Thomson on Saturday, has been eating better lately and is carrying more condition than he did before the Taranaki meeting. After the breakfast interval Quadroon (Farland) ran a really good mile in 1.49, the last seven in 1.36 1-5 and th.e first five in 1.7. He was going well all the way and/revelled in the going. If the track is holding on Friday he will be in demand. Majority, who is to be ridden by 8. Wilson, worked evenly over a round and sprinted home the last furlong. He looks improved by racing. Gay Molly (L. A. Pine) ran home from the three-furlongs in 39 2-5. being on the bit all the way. She has done well since winning at Bulls. Dunmanway, whos,e form in. the North Island Challenge Stakes puzzled his connections, appeared to be none the worse for his races and worked keenly. Clarion Call (Lilley) ran six furlongs under a good hold, coming home the last three in 41. Ned Cuttie was let off with an easy task. The Champion Hack Cup winner is in great form for the big hack race on Saturday. ' Florence Mills (Farland) ran homo from the three-furlongs under a good hold in 38 '4.5. She was keen to go faster. Defaulter Looks Well. The Sires Produce Stakes candidate Defaulter (Anderson) ran in from the three-furlongs in 38 3-5, appearing to have a lot in band. He is none the worse for his hard races at Trentham, and will be a warm favourite on Saturday. Royal Limo»d (McDonald) jumped three schooling hurdles in good style. He will again be ridden bv McDonald on Friday. Later the Liciqnd gelding ran seven furlongs with Whistle Pinkie (Kowhai) in 1.38 3-5. W. Little has been engaged to ride the latter. Brazil and Sudan were given an easy task. Sudan is to be reserved for the Sires’ Produce Stakes. Bing Boy (McDowell) and Hirangi (Parkes) were responsible for a dashing display over four hurdles, having plenty of pace on all the way. Bing Boy took each obstacle in his stride and gainea lengths on Hirangi, but the latter stuck on gamely and was up with the New Plymouth double winner at the last fence. Hirangi’s jumping was steady without being brilliant. ’ t Ivar (Campbell) ran in from the three furlongs under a good hold in 39 3-5 after taking nearly 14 for the first furlong. He looks very well and will have a big following on Friday. FIXTURES March 25. 26— Manawatu Tracing Club. March 26—Birchwood Hunt Club. March 26. 28—Bay of- Plenty R.C. March 31. April 2—Hawke's Bay J.C. March 23, 26—Oamaru Jockey Club.,,