Art Major 3-year-old filly Spirit Of Art scored in a brisk time of 2:44.1 (2200m mobile) at the Gore trials today.

She finished eighth of 12 in a 2-year-old race at Winton in May at her only start last season. Spirit Of Art's win today confirmed she was ready to resume racing for Branxholme trainer Kirk Larsen.

The horseman will nominate her and Rockin Cullen for an $8000 maiden fillies and mares' mobile mile at Wyndham on Sunday week. Rockin Cullen finished second to Spirit Of Art today.

Its Ollies Excuse stood out among the 16 qualifiers. The Clark Barron-trained 3-year-old gelding paced the 2200m (mobile) in 2:46.8.

***

Blood tests have revealed Ted West was slightly dehydrated when he finished fifth in the Riverton Cup on Sunday. He is having an easy week, according to Ascot Park co-trainer Ray Faithful.

''We'll find a race for him next month,'' Faithful said today.

***

Trials at Gore today resulted:

Pacers' Qualifying Mobile, 2200m - Its Ollies Excuse (3g Bettor's Delight-Nice Bromac) (C Barron) 1, Tootsie Bromac 2, Jade's VC 3, Sokys Last 4, Phin's Twin 5, Whynottagrey 6, Justy Rusty 7, Shortys Desire 8; eight started and first seven qualified; 2l, 1/2l, hd; 2:46.8, 2:47.2, 2:47.3, 2:47.4, 2:48.3, 2:49.5, 2:51, 57.9, 29.7; winning trainer, C Barron.

Trotters' Qualifying Stand, 2200m - Galleons Instinct (4m Sundon-Galleons Telepathy) (C Gerken) 1, John The Fib 2; two started and both qualified; 2l; 2:59, 2:59.4, 61.1, 30.9; winning trainer, C Gerken.

Pacers' Qualifying Stand, 2200m - Nitro Under Fire (3f Courage Under Fire-Thrifty Anvil) (B Shirley) 1, Young Reggie 2, Dame's Son 3, Comeback Anna 4, Barrow Street 5, Coolest Easton 6, Arising Easton 7; seven started and all qualified; 1l, hd, nk; 2:53.6, 2:53.8, 2:53.9, 2:54, 2:54.4, 2:54.5, 2:54.9, 58.6, 29.7; winning trainer, B Shirley.

Trot, C0 Or More Wins Stand, 2200m - Lariix 40 (Nathan Williamson) 1, Superstarourwishes 40 2, Trade Me Now 3; five started; ns, 3/4l; 2:52.4, 60, 30.4; winning trainer, G McClymont.

Non Winners' Mobile, 2200m - Spirit Of Art (N Williamson) 1, Rockin Cullen 2, Ganesh Bromac 3; five started; 2 1/4l, 4l, 1/2l; 2:44.1, 57.7, 28.6; winning trainer, K Larsen

- © Fairfax NZ News

Comments