Track Work at Wanganui

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 45, 23 February 1938, Page 10

Track Work at Wanganui

(Special to * ‘Times.”) WANGANUI, Last I*lgfct. A smart mile gallop by two Wanganui Cup candidates in Master Cyklon and Middle, and a pleasing sprint over six furlongs by Icing and Scarf Dance, comprised the outstanding features of the gallops on the Wanganui tracks this morning in preparation for the opening day of the Wanganui Jockey Club’s autumn meeting. The fast work was done on number one grass track, which was faster than on Saturday morning, and the weather conditions were ideal.

Icing (F. Latham) finished threequarters of a length in front of Scarf Dance (W. Rayner) at the end of six furlongs, which the pair covered in lmin Issec, the first quarter taking 25 sec and the half-mile 49sec. It was a good display for Scarf Dance, who is engaged in the Kai Iwi Maiden. Alloa and Trebor, each with lightweights in ttte saddle, slipped over six furlongs in lmin 17 3-ssec, taking 25see for the initial quarter and 51sec for the half-mile. These two are in T. E. George’s Trentham stable and they will both run in the Petre Hack Handicap, the concluding event on the first day. Alloa will be ridden by L. J. Ellis and Trebor will have A. Bennet in the saddle.

Civil was responsible for a pleasing effort when she dashed over the first two furlongs of a half-mile in 24 4-ssec but was not kept fully up to her task, the four furlongs taking 50 4-ssec. Civil is engaged in the maiden race. Master Cyklon had a decided advantage in the weights when he and Middle jumped off at the mile post clear of Cuddle, who trailed them all the way and was still further back at the finish, not being extended at any stage. Master Cyklon was a good half-length in front at the finish, the mile taking a shade under 1.42, the half-mile taking them 50sec and the last six furlongs lmin 29sec. Master Cyklon won the Wanganui Cup last year with 7.8 ih. the saddle, and he appears to be well placed with 61b more to repeat that performance. Middle is an improved horse and following his Malone Memorial win at Stratford several good judges expressed the opinion that he would not be out of his element in such a field as the Wanganui Cup. Cuddle was not expected to make time, especially as her companions would be travelling fast. The Psychology mare appears to be well within herself but walked a trifle sore when leaving the course, although that has been the experience with her recent essays. However, she is getting on in years and in spite of her sterling displays at Riccarton last spring, one cannot but come to the conclusion that Cuddle is past her best, though the Cup field is such that she might just as easily stay in front or make a run from the rear.

Gaily, looking bright and well, slipped over five furlongs by herself but was not timed. The Siegfried filly has topweight in the Petre Hack Handicap but she is a class customer.

The Iliad-Countersign gelding Drachma, who is to run in the Juvenile Handicap, was not fully extended to run four furlongs in 50 2-ssec. He will be ridden by A. Bennet. Captain Treville ha/d it on Lady Hoanri at the end of four furlongs, which took them 49 4-ssec, the first quarter taking them 24 2-ssec. Nigger Mark, a Hawke’s Bay candidate for the Maiden Race, took 50 4-5 sec for half a mile, doing it nicely. Little work was done after the breakfast interval, when the track was a trifle faster than had been the case earlier. Golden Pam broke 24sec for the first quarter of a half-mil 6 spin, registering 48 4-ssec for the four furlongs. It was a smart effort for a maiden candidate.

Amatory, who will be ridden by bEdwards in his Victory Hack Handicap engagement, was not extended over five furlongs, taking 27sec for the first quarter and lmin 7 2-ssec. for the distance. He is in excellent order. Minga, who will not be racing till the Trentham meeting next month, went three furlongs in 38sec, the last two taking a shade under 26sec. TWO CUP DEFECTIONS CUDDLE AND TIGER GAIN WANGANUI, Last Night. After working this morning Cuddle appeared to be very sore, and tho trainer, T. R. George, stated that she could be regarded as an unlikely starter in the Wanganui Cup on Thursday. Tiger Gain was scratched for the Cup at 5.40 p.m.