FINAL AWAPUNI GALLOPS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 152, 24 March 1938, Page 17

FINAL AWAPUNI GALLOPS

Stretto Finishes Ahead Of Royal Chief Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, March 23. The final gallops of horses engaged at the Manawatu Racing Club’s autumn meeting on Friday took place at Awapuni this morning on the course proper, which was in wonderful order after yesterday’s rain. Misty rain was experienced during the training operations, and the showers fell heavier after breakfast, deadening the track. The flags were out about 45 feet. The gallop between the Awapuni Gold Cup candidates Stretto and Royal Chief was the tit-bit of the morning's work, Stretto advancing her claims in the classic by decisively beating the southern colt and registering brilliant figures after a slow beginning. Another good trial was that staged by Icing and Clessamor over six furlongs; and Minga, Rehearsal, Lady Ina, Brazil and Old Surrey all shone over half miles. Rehearsal (Latham) and Minga (Shaw) were the first to gallop and these two-year-olds, after taking 27 for the first two furlongs, came home brilliantly to register 52 for the full distance. Minga had the better of matters at the finish,but Rehearsal shaped like an early winner. Icing (Latham) and Clessamor (Shaw) were jjgging about and slow to find their feet from the six furlongs, taking nearly 14 for the first furlong. When they did settle down they showed great speed to cover the next three in 38 2-5, and they finished full of running to record 1.17 4-5 for the full distance. Icing appeared to be shading Clessamor, and both could have done a little better had they been required. Icing seemed a bit tender before her gallop, but pulled up well. Rakahanga Strips Well. Rakahanga, who looks none the worse for her hard races at Trentham, did strong pacework on the inner and impresses as a very solid sort. Hirangi (Tattersail) ran a good six furlongs in 1.20 3-5, the first half mile in 54 3-5. It was a useful effort for a hurdler. Stretto (Broughton) had to be steadied for the slower beginner, Royal Chief (Shaw), when they went off from the seven furlongs and took 14 for the first furlong, but from that stage she set a merry pace to cliff off the first half mile in 52 2-5 and the five in 1.5 1-5. She drew away in the last furlong to beat Royal Chief home by a clear length in 1.31. It was a great gallop on the purr of the mare, and added considerably to her admirers for the Awapuni Cup on Friday. Royal Chief is not a good track worker, and is an unprepossessing type. Dunmanway (Dye), after taking 14 for the first furlong, came home strongly to leave his three furlongs behind in 39. He likes the sting out of the going. Jack Tar (Broughton) just headed Wildflower (Chaplin) over fieveu furlongs in 1.33 4-5, but they did not appear to be knocked about. The first two furlongs were run in 27, the hulf-mile iu 53 3-5 and the five in 1.6 4-5. Both were running on at the finish. Maiden’s Good Gallop. Scarf Dance (Latham) showed her usual track brilliance to run her five furlong\s in 1.5 2-5 after taking 39 3-5 for the first three. For most maidens this would be a winning gallop, but this fullsister to Veilmond has yet to live up to her track form. Aurora’s Love (Thomson) gave one of the best displays over a round of the schooling hurdles seen for a long time. She scarcely rises to jump but skims each obstacle like a bird and may be more forward than generally imagined at Hastings next week. Brazil (Johnston) and Old Surrey (Broughton) pleased in running their half-mile from a standing start in 52, the first two in 27 1-5. They finished brilliantly and the effort indicated Old Surrey's chances in the sprint the first day. Majority (Johnston) and Ned Cuttie (Broughton) were coasting along at the end of their five furlongs in 1.5 2-5 after showing a lot of early brilliance to cut out the first three in 38 3-5.. Both pleased. Lady Ina Steps Out. Lady Ina (Dye), after a slow beginning and taking 14 for the first furlong, brilliantly ran her half-mile in 51 2-5. She has improved out of all knowledge with her two races at Trentham. Catalogue (Johnston) just had the advantage of Conveyor (Broughton) at the end of their seven furlongs run in 1.33. The sectional times were 14, 27, and 1.7 1-5. but they finished well and the track at this time was possibly slower than earlier in the morning. Catalogue appears certain to contest the Awapuni Golf Cup,

Additional riding engagements for the meeting include: W. J. Broughton, Siegmund. Hunting Cat, Notium, Dunmanway. S’tudent Prince, Scarf Dance. Dancing Flame and Cherry Plum (Sires’ Produce Stakes) ; G. R. Tattersail. Roaming (51b. overweight), Copy Cat, Merryman, Puroto; J. Chaplin, Wildflower, Vadanoe: T. Tito, Kentucky Song; P. Atkins. Rakahanga, Conveyor; J. Forsyth. Lovelilt; L. J. Ellis, Rehearsal ;• S. R. Farloud. Race Call: C. Goulsbro, Catalogue; S. 'Wilson. Minga (Sires’ Produce Stakes) ; S. Anderson, Noisy Night, Clavercourt. Certain starters in the Awapuni Gold Cup are Royal Chief, Smoke Screen, Icing (for whom a rider has not yet been engaged). Oratory, Stretto and. Siegmund. Catalogue is almost certain to be reserved for this race.