TRACK WORK AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27395, 7 July 1954, Page 4

TRACK WORK AT TRENTHAM

GLENKAY AND SPAWN IMPRESS PEASEBLOSSOM SCHOOLS WELL "The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, July 6. Peaseblossom provided the highlight of 'this morning’s trailing at Trentham for the first day of the WeHington winter meeting. She led Oklahoma and Light after a bout oyer five fences of the Wellington Steeplechase course. Peaseblossom jumped dashingly, and finished full of running. Oklahoma did not lose friends for his engagement on Saturday. He gave a competent display, and is obviously at his peak. Though there were a number of visiting horses on the tracks, most were restricted to pacework on the flat. Galloping honours were shared by three Trentham horses, Glenkay, Shaun, and Chattan. The going was sticky, after a hard frost. Peaseblossom (Shield) and Green Light (Nuttall) were warmed up by jumping two steeplechase fenced in the middle of the course, and then joined Oklahoma (Waddell) in a school over five fences on the course proper. Oklahoma out jumped his companions at the first jump, the boards, but Peaseblossom went ahead with a spectacular leap at the second (a brush), and Green Light dropped behind. Peaseblossom maintained her lead over the third and fourth jumps. She made a brilliant jump at the fourth, and took the final obstacle in her stride. In Hard Condition . Peaseblossom has not had much racing this winter, but she looks in hard racing condition. At her last 'attempt, she was a close second to Oklahoma in the Winter Steeplechase at Ellerslie. Oklahoma lost ground when he slipped into the second fence in this morning s school, but he recovered, cleverly. He was not bustled throughout. He then completed a round of pacework on the trial grass, and revelled in his task. Green Light could not match his companions for pace on the flat, and in addition jumped slowly. Gunpowder (Forward) and Manoeuvre (Sheild) gave a good exhibition for hacks over the same fences. Gunpowder, which gave a sound display, has not raced since December, 1952. He is owned by Sir Thomas Duncan, and has been with W. J. Bfomby at Trentham since the autumn. He is not too sound. Manoeuvre showed that the bigger fences hold no terrors for him. He has been making steady improvement in his jumping this season. With little pace on, Repayment (Potter) blundered at the first fence\of his school, but he gave an improved display over the next four obstacles. Put to the boards at the seven furlongs again, he slipped but scrambled over. Repayment has an excellent form background to support his Wellington Steeplechase prospects, having recorded three seconds and a third in his last four attempts. His best effort was when he finished second to Dunwold in the Great Northern Steeplechase. On the Flat

Galloping on the flat took place on the trial grass.

GJenkay had a lot in reserve when covering -Three furlongs in 38sec—the best effort Of the morning. Her effortwas the more meritorious, as she carried a welter-weight. She has done well- since she scored impressively at Wanganui, and with the benefit of another gallop on. Thursday should be capable of a bold effort in the Whyte Handicap. Though he has not done a great deal of fast work, Shaun (De Silva) showed that he is in good order to make his reappearance in the Woburn Hack Handicap. He finished ahead of Harleston (Perawiti) at the end of six furlongs in Imin 20 4-ssec, the last three in 41sec. Shaun looks much better than when he last raced.

Chattan (Wyatt) covered half a mile in 53sec, the last three furlongs in 39 3-ssec. If the track does not become any softer, she could cause an upset inj;he Stewards’ Handicap, which is run over her favourite distance, seven furlongs.

Indian Sue (Wyatt) was under restraint when running three furlongs in 41sec.

North Sea (Perawiti) sprinted from the seven furlongs to the three in 54 4-ssec. He looks improved as a result of his short speH, but he may be ail the better for an outing. Red Star (Barber) and Foghorp (Nuttall) were together throughout six furlongs in Imin 21 2-ssec, the last three, in 41sec. Foghorn was galloping better at the end. He has drawn badly in the Woburn Hack Handicap, but may race prominently.

Red Star has done well since* he finisned second to Saboteur on the final day at Wanganui, and he should race well in the Stewards’ Handicap. De Soto (Carbin) was not troubled to gallop half a niile in 56sec. The last three furlongs took 42 l-ssec. Mainlander (Carbin) travelled easily from the six furlongs to tlf& half-mile, and came home from there in 53 3-ssec, the last three furlongs in 39 2-ssec. / Pierre (De Silva) completed an easy seven furlongs by sprinting from the three in 39sec. His appearance and latest work suggest that he is not far from his best. Straight Lead (Wyatt) did well when he covered half a mile in 53 3*ssec. the last three furlqngs in 39 4-ssec. Straignt Lead is engaged in the Trial Plate on the second day.

Slelpnir’s Trial Sleipnir (Carbin) did not have to do his best to run half a mile in 53sec, the last three furlr ' in 39sec. The small

—longs size of the field in the Stewards’ Handicap will be to his advantage. Sugar Bowl (Nuttall) ran seven fur longs in Imin 36see. She picked up Im grudent (McKay) at the six furlongs, and ugar Bowl had a length advantage at the finish, after running the final halfmile comfortably in 55 4-ssec: The last three furlongs took 41sec. Sugar Bowl has raced honestly, but unluckily, in her latest outings. Barry (Wil»n) gave a satisfactory display over six schooling hurdles in the middle of the course. Santiago was let off with exercise in the middle of the course.

Fox Fun also was let off with pacework. Though he has had only three outings this season, his condition cannot be faulted. Last year he won the Mariri Hack: and Hunters’ Steeplechase easily at Tr entham.

Other visiting horses which were restricted to pacework included Saunter, Cogitation, Romily, Bhikoo, Master Gregory, and Sir Nicholas.