EASTER RACING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 94, 19 March 1940, Page 8

EASTER RACING

AWAPUNI TRACK WORK. REST FOR OLD BILL. (By “Spectator.”) The outside of the course proper was open for work at Awapuni this morning, but the plough was incut popular. Faster engagements are now claiming the attention of trainers, and many horses were worked before leaving for outside districts. Sceptre was given a run, and Lambourn was not asked for fast work after his Wellington efforts. Beaupartir and Millamcnt were also in action on the plough. Colonel Bogey did seven furlongs and Atnyas Leigh was galloped over three furlongs, taking about 39scc. Colcrica was given a run, and Inform and Don Quex did pace work. Ciaseform was not worked hard. She will probably leave to-night to fulfil her Auckland engagements. Tidewaiter was out on the tracks, and will raco in the winter.

Gay Jean and Bonnie Bunsby did four furlongs in 55feec together. Selkirk galloped on the plough over six furlongs, the last five taking 1.11.

G. R. Tnttcrsall rode Goldburn at threequarter pace to the straight and then galloped him to the post. Tattersall is not yet certain where he will ride at Easter, but if ho goes to Keilding he will have the mount on Goldburn. He was also out this morning on Cetewayo, who was not galloped.

Shining Hours and Sleeveless were out on the plough, being given good long exercise gallops. Courting, on the course proper, did four furlongs in 55see. March Easy is returning to work after a spell, and was given three-quarter pace work. He and a stablemate, Lord Plato, an unraced two-year-old, arc not particularly forward yet, but arc showing fair form.

Old Bill, winner of the Centennial Cup and more recently of the Autumn Handicap at Trentham, will not be raced at Easter this year. He was entered for tho principal events at Christchurch, Keilding and Auckland. It is possible that he may race much this winter, though ho may be started in tho Awapuni Gold Cup on April 4. No decision has yet been reached about this. His trainer, T. L. Wilson, explained today that Old Bill was perfectly well, but the decision not to race him had been reached because of the high weights the horse would have lo carry. Old Bill’s big victories have put him up to top-weight in middle distance events and his recent Wellington victory earned him rehandicaps for Easter racing.