Gurkha In Good Awapuni Trial

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30956, 12 January 1966, Page 4

Gurkha In Good Awapuni Trial

“The Press” Special Service

PALMERSTON NORTH. Gurkha, which ran an improved race for third over six furlongs on the firs* day of the Pahiatua meeting, showed his fitness yesterday when he strode over half a m?le at Awapuni with stablemate, Prince M;ahmoud. Gurkha looks sure to be better suited by the seven furlongs in today s Tararua Hack Handicap at the Pahiatua meet Ing. Narbada and AKgiit, preparing for the Marton meeting on Saturday, were response hie for good trials, Narbada in particular, being most pleasing when s-he shaded Ichtar.

The Awapuni trainer, H. J. Waller, said yesterday that he had engaged R. J. Skelton to ride Laramie in today’s “Sonny” Smith Memorial. Skelton’s other mounts are MendeH, His Lordship and Ben BeMa. On the inside trial Gurkha and Prince Mahmoud ran briskly over half a in 50 2-ssec. Slowness at the start has counted against Gurkha lately, but he bears a fit appearance and might be hard to

beat today. Prince Mahmoud looks well, but his latest form is not inspiring. Not at Best Goldtone strode over six furlongs in Imin 17 3-ssec, the last three in 38 4-ssec. This was a good gallop, but he is another whose latest form is nowhere near tits best.

PHnce d’Amour took 40sec for an easy three furlongs. He is thriving and his next appearance on a race track will be at Marton on Saturday when he will give an exhibition gallop after the third race. He is preparing for the Wellington Stakes.

Might, which was not disgraced when he raced at Ellerslie during New Year, excelled over six furlongs in Imin 15sec, the last three in 37 3-ssec. He is in the second leg of the double at Marton oh Saturday. Narbada looked good in shading, a rival Merton Cup candidate, Ichtar. at the end of six furlongs in Imin 20sec, the last three in 39sec. Narbada ran a good race at Hastings at her last start and Ichtar was placed at Tauherenikau.