ON HASTINGS TRACKS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 134, 8 June 1937, Page 4

ON HASTINGS TRACKS

INTERESTING WORK NAPIER CANDIDATES Conditions were perfect for this time of the season for the semi-final gallops on Saturday at Hastings, for the Napier Park winter meeting, which takes place next week on the Greenmeadows racecourse. Most of the gallops took place on the No. 1 inside grass track, which was fast, writes “The Barb,” in the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. Pakanui (I. Briggs), who has brightened up considerably, was in best galloping form, reeling off the last five furlongs of his task in 62sec. This was a pleasing effort, although only a light-weight was carried. Puccini (H. Murray), not ridden out, registered 64isec. for five furlongs. The big brown gelding in Mr. G. D. Beatson’s stables gave another impressive display of Jumping for a novice. Quake (H. Murray), who did not appear to be relishing his job over the last two furlongs, took 1.18 to cover the six furlongs, the first two in 24 sec., three in 37sec. and four in 50sec. The full brother to Nereus (H. Young), just shaded Marching On (H. Murray), with Oha (J. Forsyth) a couple of lengths back, at the end of five furlongs covered in 643 sec. Star Lad and Anubis, two candidates for novice events from W. C. Griffiths’ stable, were not galloped, but in company indulged in pace work on the plough. Blygain (H. Murray), wearing a bandage on the near foreleg, went five furlongs in an impressive manner, when the clock showed 62isec. Cotsfield (J. Walsh) gave a neat and fast display over a round of the country. He will race at Napier in the hurdle events, but at Hastings will be at his own job—steeplechasing. Pladie was given a few lessons over the pony hurdles, and the way he shaped strongly suggested that this was not his first lesson.

The two stable companions, Dusky Crown and Lady Wessex, were given a work-out together over one round on the plough. Lady Wessex, wide out all the way, was in front at the finish, but had the better of the weights by at least a couple of stone.

Mercian Prince (E. Deslandes) and Tres Sec (J. Forsyth) hopped away at the once-round post, but it was only over the last five furlongs that any pace was clapped on. From the five-furlong post home occupied 67* sec.

Trailer (J. Forsyth), in running three-quarters of a mile in 1.21 i, had fully four seconds up his sleeve. He is in great heart. Lavina (H. Young) and Passion Flower (H. Callinan), on the plough, were only playing funs in their run along, as both could have done much better time if asked.

Marching Song and Pikete were sent over four of the school hurdles, but Pikete knew too much for her Gisborne companion, outjumping him at every fence. For hacks Gironde (C. Stratton) and Shani (H. Murray) did well to register a shade better than 63sec. for five furlongs, with Gironde, carrying a stone more weight, ahead at the finish by a couple of lengths. Blue Tiger was schooled over a few hurdles and made no error. He will not race until the Hastings meeting. Seattle (J. Walsh) had the edge on Panerua (H. Murray) all the way in a five-furlong gallop in 65sec. Buster Brown (H. Callinan), in taking 53isec. for half a mile, did not do as well as expected, but perhaps would have done better with a mate.

Royal Bengal (E. Deslandes) and Wykemist (J. Walsh) were sent a round of steeplechase fences, which was run in the very fair time of 1.40 Royal Bengal outjumped his companion at most of the fences, and for a beginner took his fences in a most confident manner. However, at the last fence, when a little careless, he failed to measure his fence correctly and toppled over, out the mishap had no serious consequence, and will do the Chief Ruler gelding more good than harm.

Fossicker (H. Callinan) and stablemate Gasman (J. Walsh) ran a smart five furlongs in 62isec. The first two furlongs were run in 23isec., which shows that the’xe two geldings possess speed. Cletrac (J. Forsyth) found in Joe Louis (H. Murray) on? with a little too much punch over five furlongs, which was clocked to bq run in 63*sec.