PLUNGE ASTRAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 139, 15 June 1938, Page 23

PLUNGE ASTRAY.

MALA FAILS BADLY. CONFIDENCE NOT JUSTIFIED. FORLORN OUTSIDER SUCCEEDS. T ] ie >Cew Zealand-bred Mala, wlio was purchased at £7000 by Mr. A. E. Cooper, was so heavily supported for the first division of the Rosebery Handicap recently that at one stage it was almost impossible to back him. He was never near the leaders, and finished a very moderate sixth. It was his first start since the Melbourne Cup last November. Since returning from a spell in Xew Zealand, Mala has done little solid work, anil he looked like a fat, lusty stallion, incapable of the racing brilliance necessary to defeat a field of smart gallopers, stated a Sydney writer. Nevertheless there was genuine stable support for him, and some very big wagers were made. Mala settled down second last, far behind the leaders, and was still third last at the home turn. He finished sixth mainly because a number of runners luul to be checked when Stuart M. fell a furlong from home. Mr. (_'oo[>or's object in racing him so early is. no doubt, to give him every chance to attain form for tlie early spring events. The race was won by Bellicose, a fol lorn outsider from Queensland. Xot one bookmaker confessed to having written his name.