MERRIMAYES FIT

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28265, 1 May 1957, Page 4

MERRIMAYES FIT

Good Ashburton Prospect Merrimayes showed her fftness for Saturday’s Ashburton County Handicap when she sprinted the last four of six furlongs in 50 4-ssec wide out on the course proper at Riccarton yesterday. She was ridden in her trial by A. J. Stokes, but her race rider will be the Wingatui apprentice, H. T. Anderton. The form of Merrimayes has not been of much account on soft and heavy tracks, but she will be a formidable light-weight in the Ashburton mile race if the ground is firm. Belletavia (R. McDonald), Fern (B. W. McDonald), and Scarlet Pimpernel (R. W. Gould) sprinted from the half-mile in 52 2-ssec. Scarlet Pimpernel is engaged in the Lagmhor Stakes No. 1 at Ashburton and will be ridden by Gould. Fern is engaged in the Juvenile Handicap on the first day of the Marlborough meeting, and will be ridden by B. W. McDonald, who will return for the first day of the Ashburton meeting. Iroquoi (N. Hoy) sprinted from the half-mile in 55 4-ssec. Iroquoi’s stablemate, Adversary, also ridden by Hoy, sprinted his half-mile in 53 2-ssec. He should be one of the improvers in the field for the Ashburton County Handicap. Skyrider (N. A. Dempsey) ran six furlongs in lmin 22 4-ssec, the last half-mile in 53 3-ssec. He has been unable to improve on minor placings, but in his present form success may come soon. Equipage (N. Hoy) was a length clear of Lucky Time (J. M. Dempsey), and Neptune's Pride (E. G. Low) was In a gap at the rear after running six furlongs in lmin 21 2-5 sec, the last half-mile in 51 3-ssec. Equipage may take beating in the Eiffelton Hack Handicap at Ashburton if the track is firm. Solstice (R. Hobson) recorded lmin 35 4-ssec for seven furlongs and 54sec for the last half-mile. He should be one of the best lightweights in the Chatmos Hack Handicap at Ashburton. Curtain Raiser (D. J. Thistoll) led Leprechaun (E. G. Low) by half a length. Six furlongs were covered in lmin 23 2-ssec, the last half-mile in 54 l-ssec.

Shoal was taken north yesterday for her engagement in the Marlborough Cup, in which she will be ridden by A. J. Stokes.