TRAINERS ACTIVE AT RICCARTON

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 301, 12 March 1928, Page 10

TRAINERS ACTIVE AT RICCARTON

PREPARATIONS FOR TRENTHAM CANDIDATES IN FORM (Special to THE SUN) CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday. Rapier has galloped in such remarkable style during the past fortnight that he is now absolute favourite for the Thompson Handicap, and his track work at least points to him being very hard to beat at Trentham. He was again the star performer at Riccarton this morning, and by reeling off 10 furlongs on the outside of the course proper, 36ft out from the rails all the way, he registered a performance of great merit. Rapier lias shown to great advantage in recent track trials, but this morning he capped all previous performances, when, from a flat-footed start, he galloped in sensational style over a mile and a-quarter in the outstanding time of 2.11. SPLENDID EFFORT There was a big stir among track watchers when he walked over to the mile and a-quarter post with Battle Colours, and as the latter is an exceptionally good track galloper many expected him to at least keep Rapier busy for a mile. From a standing start Rapier was quickest to find his feet and he showed the way past the nine furlongs post to his companion, who was a little slow to begin- The pair were together at the mile post, but at the seven, where Lancer joined in, Battle Colours began to lose ground. Rapier in front at six, but at the five Lancer joined him in the lead, and the pair were still together when they turned for home. Up the straight Rapier was going comfortably alongside Lancer, and the pair flashed past the post together, with Battle Colours some distance .away. * Rapier ran his first six in 1-17, and though the last half-mile was left behind in 54, the Thompson Handicap candidate travelled very comfortably over the last bit. It is seldom that 2.11 is equalled at this time of the year for a mile and a-quarter on the course proper at Riccarton, and the fact that Footfall later took 2.13 for his 10 furlongs, affords proof of the merit of Rapier’s great gallop. He was not in the least distressed when pulled up, and though he carried only a light boy, his was a remarkable track trial, which indicates that he is better now than ever before. Though he only joined in over the last seven furolngs, Lancer galloped in very impressive style for a moderate, and the indications are that this young improving horse will show to great advantage in his Trentham engagements. EULALIE IN FORM The best six furlongs of the morning was credited to the Absurd filly Eulalie, ran the distance in 1.17. She was not bustled at any stage and, maintaining an even pace all the way, held a lot in reserve at the end. Phillipic ran a long way below expectations in the Peninsula Cup last week, but his excellent gallop over a mile in 1.44 4-5 this morning indicates that there was something radically wrong with him when he contested Motukarara’s important mile and aquarter event. Associated with Shalimar, he led the Sutala filly from start to finish, and at the end he held a length’s advantage over his stable mate in 1.44 4-5. Sudden Storm and Quarterdeck sprinted four furlongs in 50 2-5. The latter, who has made a vast improvement since the Riccarton meeting, finished very determinedly and, if anything, was doing better at the endAN ATTRACTIVE GALLOP One of the most attractive gallops of the morning over seven furlongs, was the effort of the Thompson Handicap candidate, Don Jose, who defeated Fair Exchange over that distance in 1.30 1-5. Silver Coot, who will leave for Trentham on Monday, galloped in an encouraging manner over five furlongs, with Amourette as a companion, The Paper Money gelding was never doing his best, and appeared to be just cantering alongside his stable mate over the last 100 yards. The time, 1.4 1-5, was only bettered once durirg the morning. The St. Leger candidate Satrap galloped nine furlongs in 1.57. He was joined over the last 5J furlongs by Amor, who was four lengths in front at the end. The best five furlongs of the morning went to Money Order, who ran the distance in 1.3 2-5 He leaves to-night for Trentham, and is in great order to contest his immediate engagementsWHAKATANE ENTRIES FIXTURE MARCH 17 OPOTIKI, Saturday. _ U,® S^°?' ing are the nominations for the Whakatane Racing Club’s meeting to be held on March 17: Flying Stakes Handicap.—Namutere, ’ o£ in S Romaa Abbey, The sion h ’ Cherry Girl * Eastbourne. DivirrJ^ id T n /j Pla A e *"* and . ic ap.—Ruhurnoana, lago, Lady Castlemame, Flying Foam kuna Uer ’ Wandering Boy, KaiOpouriao Handicap. Return, Lady Castlemame, Namutere, Mosque, Flying Foam, Roman Abbey, The Author, Nancy Lee. Taneatua Handicap.—Cherry Girl, Ruhumoana, Tago, Namutere, Mosque Kitty, Erin’s Last, Roman Abbey, Eastbourne, Division, Nancy Lee. Counties Handicap.—Return, Lady Castlemame, Flying Foam, The Author, Division. TROTTING FIXTURES Timaru T.C.—March 8, 10. Wyndham T.C.—March 14. New Brighton T.C-—March 15, 17. Oamaru J.C.—March 23, 24. Thames T.C.—March 24. Wellington T.C.—March 24. Wanganui T.C.—March 29, 31. Takaka T.C.—April 7. Hawera T.C. —April 7. 9. N.Z. Metropoliton T C.—April 7. 11. Taranaki T.C.—April 14. Ashburton T.C.—April 21. Te Aroha T.C.—April 21. Wellington T.C.—April 28. Forbury Park T.C.—May 3, 5. Cambridge T.C.—May 5. Oamaru T.C.—May 19. Canterbury Park T.C.—June 4.