WINGATUI TRIALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27345, 22 March 1950, Page 7

WINGATUI TRIALS

Best Halt Mile By ALL HURRY iN GOOD ORDER By Springfield A number of candidates for the first day of the Oamaru Cup meeting, which opens tomorrow, had their final gallops at Wingatui yesterday morning. Some horses' for the Birchwood Hunt Club’s meeting were also worked. Trainers had the Use of the sand and No. 1 grass, both of which provided good going. The grass track is a little shorter than the named distances, and times are slightly faster than they would normally be. The best half-mile of. the morning went to the' credit of Man o’ Kent, who was travelling easily alongside Royal Heather and Royal Windsor in 51sec. Man o’ Kent will probably have his next race at the Great Autumn meeting. On her own. Good Service recorded 51 3-ssec. after taknig 12 2-ssec for the first furlong. She looks in good order at present. All Hurry went over six furlongs, but he was only timed over the last half, which required 53 l-ssec, the last three in 40 l-ssec. He will have bright prospects at Oamaru, although he would be better suited by a longer journey than that of the novice race.

Roving Robin was travelling faster than Regal Voyage at the end of five.furlongs in lmin 7 2-ssec, the first two furlongs in 24 2-ssec and the last half in 55 2-ssec.

Hoop-la completed a quiet five in lmin 9sec, the last half in 54 3-ssec. String Band and Winning Gem were in front of Vain Lad, who was eased up over the last bit, at the end of nine furlongs in 2min 5 l-ssec, the first six in

lmin 23 3-ssec and the last half In 55 4-ssec. Vain Lad looks in good order for his engagements at Oamaru. Cricket Field impressed when completing three furlongs in 37 3-ssec. He has a good action, and may show up at Oamaru.

Duvaals, with a big weight up, took lmin 20sec for six furlongs. He is coming to hand well, and should show up when the tracks become easy. On the Grass

A large number of horses were worked on the No. 1 grass, and among those to impress were Arctotis and Royal Venture. Brockie was in front of Arctotis. Young Bob, Redlo, and Triumphal at the end of a mile, the last seven furlongs in lmin 32 2-ssec and the final half in 54 l-ssec. Arctotis trailed the bunch until the straight, and, with the worst of the weights, he finished on over the last bit. St. Columba was clear of Buttons and Bows. Shanks Pony, and Humdinger at the end of five furlongs in lmin 3 4-ssec, the last half in 51 4-ssec. St. Columba is to race at Riccarton at Easter, and he should give a good account of himself. Royal Venture, alone, went over half a mile in 51 3-ssec. He was blowing a bit at the finish, and should be improved by the gallop. \ Highthorne was in front of Subtraction at the end of five furlongs, the last three in 39 l-ssec. The former strode out well. Kildare Lad jumped safely over two flights of the schooling hurdles, and he looks as though he may be useful in this department. Libellula led Comeaway over two flights of hurdles and twice over the sod wall and double brush. Comeaway gave an improved display. Libellula looks a useful hack steeplechaser in the making. Arabian Night jumped safely over two hurdles and the sod wall and double brush. He should race well at Easter, when his engagements include, the Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton. Phantom Night and Tring, both of whom are on the big side, jumped two hurdles. Phantom Night did not jump too well at the last obstacle. Phil Boa jumped the sod wall and double brush in fine style. He pulled hard all the way, and looks in great fettle for his immediate engagements. Easter Engagements

Wingatui trainers are now preparing for Easter facing, and some of them will have teams at Riverton, Beaumont, and Riccarton, while there may be one horse at Ellerslie H. A. Anderton will leave Arabian Night, Libellula, Page’s Raid, and St. Bruno in the south after the Birchwood meeting, and they will go on to Riverton. Anas and Comeaway will also remain in the south.

A recent recruit to R. Heasley’s team is the Cardsharper gelding Hansel. He is to be raced as a hurdler. He made a good impression in his schooling efforts last season

Riding engagements for the first day at Oamaru include: —M. A. Skinner, Triumphal; B. R. Thomson. Humdinger, Hoopla; W. F. Ellis, Regal Voyage; R. P. Langford, Myme; C. T. Wilson, Cricket Field; L. C. Smith, Arctotis, Redlo; A. X. Powell, Royal Venture.

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