Samurai earns some respect

Most attention centred on Samurai in training at Woodville yesterday morning, when galloping was held on the No 1 grass, which was slow.

The rising 8-year-old is to begin his spring campaign in the open 1200m at Hastings tomorrow and worked the reverse way in two easy sprints from the 600 to the 1200m mark.

He was impressive galloping between races at Wanganui last Thursday in company with other Central Districts topliners as Our Umaga and Cape Cover.

On that occasion, Samurai, trialling on the outside of the trio, cut out 800m in 50.2, the final 600 in 37, in the hands of Noel Harris. In such form he should be one of tomorrow's leading chances from the centre.

Free Dreams, in the maiden 1400m, was not pressed to complete 1000m in 1.13.3, the last 600 in 41. Truce, who raced at Otaki on Saturday and also expected to contest the same race, returned 56 for 800m, the last 600 in 39.6.

Misty Diamond and Deep Pockets took 1.10.3 for 1000m, finishing off the final 600 in 38.5. Misty Diamond is another likely to run in the maiden 1400m.

Shot Silk, in the r70 1600m, went well enough over 1000m in 1.6.9, the final 600 in 39.2 while Bo Jangles Boy showed his usual keenness over 800m in 52.1, the last 600 in 38.7.

A newcomer to Shane Brown's stable, Natalia, had a Niallo gelding for company in a sprint over 600m in 39.4. Natalia is a Viking Ruler mare formerly with Ralph Manning at Cambridge, while the Niallo gelding has shown he could have a future by the manner of his work.

Most of the other gallops were over 600m and they included Kairanga 44.1; Private Moon 42.2; a Pupil gelding (Barlow) 39.4, a King's Chapel filly (Barlow) and an Elusive City gelding (Barlow) 38.7; and Crosby 39.7.

- © Fairfax NZ News