BIRDMAN RECORDS SMART SPRINT AT TRENTHAM TRIALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27039, 25 March 1949, Page 8

BIRDMAN RECORDS SMART SPRINT AT TRENTHAM TRIALS

Special to the Daily Times WELLINGTON, Mar. 24. Trentham stables will be represented by 16 horses on the opening day of the Manawatu meeting at Awapuni on Saturday, and their work provided the interest on the Trentham tracks this morning. The best mile was credited to the hurdler Roman Duke, and Birdman recorded a smart sprint. The J. M. Johnston Memorial candidate Air Belle also pleased by the manner in which she worked. Conditions were ideal, and the trial grass provided fast going. Roman Euke was much too good for Mine Host, finishing three lengths in front after running a mile in lmin 42 3-ssec. the last Half taking 51 3-ssec, and the final three furlongs 37 3-ssec. Roman Duke finished well for third on the final day of the Wellington meeting, and a reproduction of that effort would give him good prospects in the Kairanga Hurdles. The Rip showed further improvement when he finished slightly ahead of Palissy at the conclusion of six furlongs in lmin 19. sec, the last four in olscc and the final three in 37sec. Balcherrie completed seven furlongs in lmin SOsec, the final four in 53s:c, and the three in 39sec. The two-year-old Birdman led his stablemate. Dowry, throuehout five furlongs, and was two lengths clear passing the post. He ran the last half mile in 50 4-ssec. and the final three furlongs in 36 2-ssec. Birdman had the better of the weights, but he galloped well. He did not get the best of passages on the first day at Wellington, and did well to finish fifth. He should race well in the Cloverlea Nursery Handicap. Abbotsford could have improved on the 51 3-ssec it took him to run half a mile. He completed the lasl three furlongs in 37 2-ssec. He will race next in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes. Howe made his reappearance on the tracks this morning. He has done a lot of road work, and is in good condition to commence another preparation. He was allotted light pace work on the plough and revelled in his task. Howe has not raced since he competed in the Auckland Cup on Boxing Day. P. teurgess has recommissioned the two-year-old Survivor, who showed a eood turn of speed when he was in training earlier in the season. Hormuz has been sent to R. Heasley's stable at Wingatui. where he will be educated as a hurdler. Rising Tide will not contest the Cloverlea Nursery Handicap owjng to her wide position at the harrier