Rapier Still Burning Up the Tracks

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 299, 9 March 1928, Page 7

Rapier Still Burning Up the Tracks

Fancied, for Thompson Handicap Next Thursday MONEY ORDER’S PROSPECTS (Special to THE SUN) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. That Rapier is fit to run the race of his life in the Thompson Handicap next week he plainly demonstrated at Riccarton this morning, when on a rain-soaked track he registered the phenomenal time of 2.12 for his tenfurlong gallop. For the first half-mile he was accompanied by his stablemate, Greyfinch, and over the last six furlongs was brought home by Lancer. It was a remarkable trial. Shalimar, who will leave for Wellington on Monday, galloped in encouraging style over a mile in 1.52 2-5. She was never doing her best at any stage, and it is obvious that she is unharmed by recent racing. May Run Well at Trentham Fair Exchange and Don Jose galloped six furlongs in 1.22 1-5, but they were not hurried and finished on terms at the end. Both are improved horses, and they should show to advantage in their Trentham engagements. It was surprising to find Quarterdeck, a moderate to date, defeating her stable companion, Sudden Storm, over a mile, run in time which was only once bettered during - the morning. The pair were together till a furlong from home, where Quarterdeck ran into the lead, and safely holding her companion over th elast 100 yards, beat her home by half a length in 1.48 1-5. Quarterdeck’s splendid gallop this morning shows that she is fit to contest her Trentham engagements, and the fact that she held a little in hand at the end suggests that she will be very hard to beat in the first High-Weight Handicap at Wellington on Thursday next. Rapier in Great Form All eyes were focused on Rapier when he came on to the track, and the great style in which he carried himself when trotting over to the ten-fur-long post afforded proof that he is in excellent condition. From an almost flat-footed start, Greyfinch led the champion to the six-furlongs post, where she dropped out. Here Lancer joined forces with Rapier, and showed the way to his stable mate till the

straight entrance was reached. Two furlongs from home Rapier headed Lanoer, and drawing away slightly over the last, bit, beat him home by a length. The last mile was left behind in 1.44, the last nine furlongs in 1.57 1-5, and the full journey was completed in 2.12, a remarkable performance in face of the heavy state of the track. It was not expected that such outstanding time would be recorded, but showing great brilliancy from the start Rapier galloped in his very best style, and held little in hand at the end. The fact that Rapier came home strongly, despite the fast time made in the early stages, indicates that he retains all his former brilliance, and if the track is at all on the soft side at Trentham, he will be in his element. The Greyspear he»\se is one of the popular fancies for the Thompson Handicap to be run next week, and now that it has been definitely decided that A. E. Ellis will have the mount, he is likely to become even more popular with backers. Eulalie on the Improve Eulalie got through a strong working gallop over a mile, and appeared anxious to increase the pace soon after the start. She is getting back to her best; again. Silver Coot was hard held to register 1.10 4-5 for the last five of a sevenfurlongs’ gallop. The best five furlongs of the morning was credited to the Psychology filly, Amourette, who covered that distance in 1.5 2-5. Amourette has made great headway since the Riccarton Summer Meeting, and her excellent gallop this morning indicates that she is going to be hard to beat in the Plunket Nursery Handicap at Trentham next week. Money Order, who is in excellent order to contest the Railway Handicap at the Wellington fixture, was allotted a strong working gallop over six furlongs. He moved with his usual freedom throughout.