PLANS FOR ROYAL TAN

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25796, 6 May 1949, Page 4

PLANS FOR ROYAL TAN

MAY RACE IN NEXT MELBOURNE CUP ' Preliminary plans have been made to race Royal Tan in the next Melbourne Cup. If all goes well in the meantime, he will be taken to Melbourne in August in charge of the Riccarton apprentice, N. Eastwood, with the trainer, C. G. Humphries, to follow later. The Riccarton horseman, C. T. Wilson, will probably ride the Royal Chief gelding in his engagements if the trip takes place. Royal Tan is being kept in light work, as he takes some time to come to his best after being spelled. Royal Tan, a younger brother to Bruce, which is in Australia, won the Wellington Cup in January, and was an unlucky fifth /in the New Zealand Cup. APPOINTMENT AS PRIVATE TRAINER J. McKerrow, who has been foreman for P. Spratt at Trentham for the last six years, has accepted an appointment as private trainer to Mr Andrew Grant, Fairlie, and will be quartered at Oamaru. Among his team will be the English-bred two-year-old colt by Big Game from Rusk, purchased recently by Mr Grant at a substantial figure. , McKerrow commenced his association with racing in Oamaru. where he was apprenticed to the late J. Ross.

Being Spelled . All Alone, winner of the Papanui Handicap on the first day of the Easter meeting at Riccarton, and an unlucky fourth in the Gimcrack Handicap on the final dav, has been put aside until next season. The Salmagundi filly has shown no aptitude for racing on heavy tracks, but she has more than average ability on firm going.

Artificer’s Record Artificer’s success in the Te Aroha Handicap on Saturday brought his earnings to Although now a seven-year-old. Artificer 'ias raced more this season than any other, and has had three wins for £2490 in stakes. When he won the Matamata Cup on February 5 he ran one mile and a quarter and 15 yards in the course record time of 2min ssec. To date Artificer has had eight wins, six seconds, and eight thirds in 38 starts.