Latest Track Work at Riccarton

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1946, Page 5

Latest Track Work at Riccarton

Attractive Gallop by Kirkella [SPECIAL TO STAR.]

RICCARTON, Dec. 3.

The light rain which fell throughout to-day's track work at Riccarton did not interfere with training operations. The weather-change was welcome, as the tracks had become very hard, and although the going on. the course proper has not been slowed up to any extent, it will be improved.

The trial grass was open to-day and there were some gallops on the plough amongst the early workers. On the grass Denary finished in front of Denim after covering six furlongs in 1.18 2-5. Graeme and Bill Gundy took 1.21 for similar work. Peculate took 1.20, and Dark Arrow and All Quality 1.19. Smart Sprints. There were several half-mile sprints, including Carry On, 49 4-5; Blithe Spirit and Gay Fellow, 50 2-5; Tuis, 49 3-5; Dash o’ Dink and Stabilise, 50 1-5- Beautiful, 50 3-5; Harley and Gay Joy, 50 4-5; Sedgemere, 51 1-5; Cipher, 50 1-5; Bittersweet, 51 3-5; General Argosy and Tin Hat, 51 4-5; Lady Chips, 51 1-5; Sea Flower and Darius, 51 1-5; Mont Leigh, 52 3-5; Wane, 52 3-5; and Amorous, 52. Rockway and Battle Abbey sprinted three furlongs in 35 4-5, and Morning Watch and Erinmore took 37. Garry and Lowry Bay were together in front of Kashmiri at the end of three furlongs in 35 1-5. Kirkella and Lord Advocate kept abreast throughout seven furlongs in 1.29, the last half in 51 3-5. Kirkella carried more weight and was going very easily at the post, but Lord Advocate, nevertheless, did well in the face of his not having raced for some months.

On the plough Al Sirat was always in front of Desert Girl over half a mile in 49 4-5.

Deprive ran five furlongs in 1.3, and Avonbridge followed in 1.5. Riverview and Lord Elgin covered a mile in 1.44 3-5. the first half in 51 3-5. The former was nominated for the hurdle races at the meeting, but as be has defied all efforts to school him he is to be kept to flat racing. Kcronah and Detain ran-five furlongs in 1.5 4-5, and Montezuma and Handle took 1.6.

• Strong Gallop. Tremello finished well in front of Volomai at the end of six furlongs in 1.20. Royal Tan and Signal Officer were together in front of Eriskay after a strong gallop from the mile-and-a-quarter post. The last six furlongs took 1.18 3 r 5. Golden Souvenir and_ Bruce strode over five furlongs in 1.5 2-5. Abdicate jumped four hurdles fairly well. He will be ridden by R. Hawes. Pedantic and Tamerlane executed a similar task at a fast pace. Ruling Moment was responsible for an attractive showing over six hurdles. He promises to, take a prominent part in Saturday s hurdle Fine Art, who was not raced last week because of a family bereavement, will also be missing from next Saturday’s engagement.

Rough Race for the Oaks

Interference at Various Stages“ [SPECIAL TO STAR.]

CHRISTCHURCH, December 2. In the opinion of some of the riders, the race for the New Z eala ™. Oaks was the roughest staged at the present meeting, and although S - kuntala had an attractive win, thu result could easily have been deferent if all candidates had had as good a passage as the Hastingstrained filly. The pace was comparatively slow over the first half, or the journey because of the disinclination of many of the go to the front, and no doubt the restraint exercised on their mounts had much to do with the jostling and interference which took place at various stages. Privilege fought for her head lor the first mile, and it is possible she would have done much better if she had been allowed to make her own pace. Rahine was also struggling with her rider when she fell at the end of two furlongs and a half. Lovemorn did not pull as hard as this pair, but she met a good deal of trouble during the middle stages. It was stated that Rahine galloped on her heels before she fell, but Lovemorn was well in front of her at the time' and did not show any marks when she returned. Both Rahine and Lovemorn were on the tracks to-day and are expected to race again next Saturday. Wantwood was very'lame after his race on Saturday and is to be returned home to-day. He was under veterinary treatment for muscular treatment before the race, but was thought to be well enough to take his place in the field. He ran a fair race, but was palpably at a disadvantage.

Grill ran very disappointingly on Saturday? He had a track to suit him, but was never within reach of the leaders. He and his stablemate Whakawatea were returned home to-day. Leigh Barton showed the effects of galloping on hard ground in the past week and has been eased up for a while.

The three-year-old Fine Night, trained at Wingatui by F. Shaw, was not produced in his engagement last week because of a family bereavement. He is to have his first race at the meeting in the Stonyhurst Handicap this week. . Fine Night, by Nightly from Palantua, is credited with possessing a marked turn of speed.