In Rules

Thursday - September 7th

By RON GURNEY

Maiden jumper Paddy Owen looked well and truly ready for his northern trip to Auckland with a first-class final trial at Awapuni this morning. Fast work took place on the plough (good), with just three horses using the heavy No 1 grass.

Paddy Owen used the plough and warmed up from the 1200m to run 1000m in 1.5 even, the last 600 in 36.3, and he deserves the utmost respect in the first of the maiden steeplechases at Ellerslie on Saturday. He was placed over country at Riccarton two starts ago before pulling up in the Grand National itself three days later. Salamanca and Heni were paired over 800m in 54.5, the last 600 sprinting hard in 36.9, while Edwardian Lady (by Sufficient), unplaced on debut in  May, and Just Georgie (by Gold Centre) sprinted 600m in 37.1. Wafer and Tip The Dancer posted 38.2. Heavens Keep, in the open 1200m at Wanganui on Saturday, had trainer Lucy Tanner aboard over a nice 1000m in 1.4.7, the last 600 in 38.4, and his stablemate To Sir With Love was kept to 1.9.1 and 38.8. Windermere Lad did a quiet round then picked up Son Of Surf on the second circuit to run 800m in 52.2, the last 600 in 38.3. Platinum Diva (Foxwedge), who has not raced since the summer, was timed 1000m in 1.10.6, the last 600 in 39.6, and Mustafa recorded 1.9 even and 39.9. Grand National winner and Great Northern prospect Upper Cut had stable apprentice Tim Johnson in the saddle over 1400m, being timed from the 1000m in 1.11.1, the last 600 in 41.9. He looks in great order. Ollie's Note had trainer Laura Knight aboard over a quiet 1000m in 1.13 even, the last 600 in 41.3, and Prosecco was kept to 600m in 42.8.

On the No 1 grass, Wanganui acceptor Thorn Pass (r75 2040m), who worked in grand style on Tuesday, had Roc 'N' It for a partner over 800m in 52.4, the last 600 in 39.7, and Last Chance (r65 1200m) went alone in 54.6 and 41.1.