WORK-OUTS FOR WINGATUI

Evening Star, Issue 26029, 18 February 1947, Page 6

WORK-OUTS FOR WINGATUI

SOUTHLAND CANDIDATES GREAT COON IMPRESSES (Special.) INVERCARGILL, Feb. 18. Great Coon was responsible -for a very impressive trial over a mile at Invercargill this morning, and Salmon Spear ‘ also shaped pleasingly over a similar distance. With a couple of exceptions, tho fast work was done on tho course proper, where the poles were 25 feet out froni tho rails and the going was firm and fast. The novice Haughty Dick and Rhine Lord ran two furlongs in 25 and completed the half-mile in 51 1-5. Haughty Dick shaded Rhine Lord at the finish and gave a very free display of galloping.'

Salmon Spear and Eriskay jumped away from the mile and a-quarter post, but there was no pace on until they reached the mile, - which was left behind in 1.49 4-5, tho last four in 54 4-5. Salmon Spear was always doing his work well within himself, and he pulled up particularly well. He has two engagements on the opening day of the Dunedin meeting on Saturday, but his trainer stated this morning that he would contest the Otago Handicap in preference to the St. Andrew’s Handicap. Salmon Spear was taken to Gore on Saturday, J)ut was not started on account of the greasy state of the going. _ Great Coon carried only a featherweight' when he went out to run a mile, with Gunther and Some Sal assisting from about the seven, but he ran the distance in 1.47 1-5, and was never at top. The first half-mile was cut out .in 53, and he came honje over the last half under a nice hold in 54. Gunther finished a couple of lengths away, but his effort was not without merit, as .he carried ’ over 9.0, and was not ■ knocked at the finish. The last seven furlpngs were run in the good time ef 1.32 2-5. Great Coon is in great fettle for his Wingatui engagements, but' Bis programme for the first day has Still to be finalised, though it is on the cards that he will contest the St. Andrew’s Handicap in preference to the Otago Handicap. Aurora Australis and Percy rah a mile in 1.49 4-5. There was no pace on over the first half, which took 58, but they came home over the last four in 51 4-5, with Aurora Australis in the van and doing it well. Black Light was always going better than the two-year-old Effervescence over half a mile in 51 2-5.

San Quentin took 1.53 4-5' for a mile. Secret. Course joined in near the six, and they came, home from there in 1.19 3-5, the last four in 53 4-5. Secret Course was doing it better over the concluding stages. Salad was given an easy work-out over a mile; The Salmagundi mare. is a doubtful starter at Wingatui, as ner connections may reserve her for theCromwell meeting. Pageantry . has developed thrush (a diseased' condition of the frog), but he showed no sighs of lameness when restricted to a round of pace work this morning, ■ and it may not seriously interfere with his preparation. Oil the plough Luminous Knight took 1.7 2-5 for five furlongs, but he was .under a steady hold throughout. He will strip a fit horse for his Wingatui, engagements. | Aganev is still beiiig treated for sore, heels and will not fulfil her Wingatui engagements. N. A. Crombie has been engaged to ride Red . Prize, Bath Slipper, and Defendant on the- first day of the .Dun-' edin meeting, and B. S. Wilson will have the mount on Aurora Australis. W. F. Ellis will ride Salmon Spear jn the Otago Handicap.