MELBOURNE CUP TO-DAY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26263, 7 November 1950, Page 4

MELBOURNE CUP TO-DAY

ALISTER A FIRM FAVOURITE (N.Z. Press Ateociotion—Copyright; (Rec. 9 p.m > MELBOURNE, Nov. 6 After his easy win in the ViQtoria Derby on Saturday. Aiister has become a firm favourite for the Melbourne Cup. He is’ no v much firmer than before the Derby This is due to his impressive performance and also to the poor display of the former favourite, Playboy, in the L. K S. Mackinnon Stakes. \ Playboy disappointed his owner-trainer. Tommy Smith, and the jockey, Darby Munro. Smith stated that he had had some shocks since he had been training, but none as great as Playboy’s display. The horse had done extra well since his good race in the Caulfield Cup, and he thought Playboy was a certainty on Saturday. He pulled up well and there was nothing wrong with him. On that form he could not win anything, let alone the Melbourne Cup. i Smith added that he hoped it was only one of his off days. Darby Munro said that Playboy did not stretch out at any stage of the race. R. Heather, who rode Aiister in the Derby, said after he dismounted that the colt would win the Cup by a street. He, however, could not ride him in the Cup because he could not make the weight. G. Purtell. who will have the mount, expects to ride him about 21b overweight, but most racegoers expect Purtell to be a little heavier. \ It will be setting Aiister a severe task to win at more than weight-for-age, but it will be in his favour that the field this year if not as higlh class as in former years. Bhutan’s Rider R. Heather will ride the New Zealander. Bhutan, in the Cup. Bhutan finished on

well to run sixth in the Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday. He has done well in Melbourne, but there is a doubt whether he has done sufficient wo.k since his mishap to fit him fop a strenuous cup race. By hi* win in the Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday. Comic Court increased his stake earnings to £32,092. the highest of any horse racing at present. True Course, which probably showed her best form to date in winning the Wakeful Stakes, a mile race for tnree-year-old fillies on Saturday, with a 141 b penalty, will start in the Oaks on Thursday, and will then be spelled. She has won eight race* in 12 starts-. She cost 1100 guineas a* a yearling and has now won £17,841 in stakes. '

Canterbury J.C. Acceptance* for the final day of the New Zealand Cup meeting, to be held on Saturday n£xt, will cloae at 5 p.m. today. z Advt.

Metropolitan Trotting Club Withdrawals for all events on the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Cup meeting must be received by 12 noon to-morrow (Wednesday). —Advt.