Tuesday - August 17th
By RON GURNEY
Thorn Pass and Don'stopgirl, who are heading in different directions this Saturday, completed a very pleasing trial together at Awapuni this morning. Fast work took place on the plough (good) and on the heavy No 1 grass.
Thorn Pass and Don'stopgirl used the plough and were able to cut out a solid 1000m in 1.5.1, the last 600 in 37.4. Thorn Pass is an acceptor at Waikato (r75 2100m) and, despite a good record on heavy tracks, some of his best races have been on far better footing. Don'stopgirl is in a freshened state for a r65 mile at Wairarapa. Time honours went to two unraced horses from the stable of Mike Breslin, who had an Excelebration filly and a Savabeel filly go 800m together in 50.3, the last 600 in 36.8, while Lisa Latta-trained Lincoln Bay and The Rippa came up with 50.7 and 36.4. Raul and Son Of Surf were on terms throughout 800m in 51.7, the last 600 in 37.1, while their stablemates Miss Norway (Waikato) and Glengoyne (Wairarapa) did a quiet round (1400m) before galloping 1000m in 1.8.1, the last 600 in 38 even. Both horses have been working solidly. Itsagem, in at Wairarapa (r75 1400m), is holding her form well and covered 800m alone in 54.3, the last 600 in 39.3, and her race rivals Brad Thorn and Stephenstihls went 800m together in 55.9 and 39.9. Ozil and King Cougar, both in the r65 1000m, ended with 600m in 40.2, and Ozil was placed third at the Waverley trials recently.
Wanganui runner Des De Jeu (r65 2060m) gathered speed from the 1200m and was timed 1000m in 1.7.8, the last 600 in 40.5, while his stablemate Counter Attack (mdn 2060m) was set a similar assignment, covering 1000m in 1.9 even and 40.6. Mustafa, in at Wairarapa (mdn 1400m), gathered speed from the 800m to run home the last 600 in 40.8. Nom Du Beel, in on Saturday (r65 mile), was given a quiet 1000m in 1.12.2, the last 600 in 41.3, and Waikato entrant Leeds (r85 mile) had Wairarapa runner Missmosa alongside over an easy 800m in 55.9 and 41.2. The blinkers come off Missmosa for the maiden 1400m. Miss Interpreted (Wairarapa), a much improved third last start, worked alone over a quiet 800m in 56.9, the last 600 in 42.3, and Nasheeta (Wairarapa) sprinted 600m in 42.1. Rusty In Melbourne recorded 43.6, and Sweepstake 43.7. An Alamosa gelding and a He's Remarkable gelding, both trained by Lisa Latta, took 43.9.
On the No 1 grass, Platinum Edition was clear of Wanganui acceptor Margaux Glas (mdn 1200m) after 800m in 58.1, the last 600 in 44.5, while Lucky Snip and Duchess Of Lincoln, race rivals in the maiden 1360m, took 58.3 and 44.7. Wairarapa runner Bannockburn (r85 1000m) and Kathy's Lincoln, unplaced on debut last month, came up with 58.8. and 45.5.