DOOMBEN CUP BETTING

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27402, 15 July 1954, Page 4

DOOMBEN CUP BETTING

PAPER STRIP STILL FAVOURITE (N.Z.P.A. —Reuter—Copyright) BRISBANE, July 14. Paper Strip is still favourite for Saturday’s Doomben Cup, but his price has been extended by a point and a half in the last three days.

Because of incessant rain, known mudrunners are more prominent in the latest cup market. The most striking advance has been made by the Queensland horse, Big Spree, a noted mud galloper, which is now equal second favourite with Tesla and Euphrates. Bookmakers have extended the price on Lancaster, which is top-weight with 9-4. He will probably find this weight hard to carry on a heavy track. However, postponement of the cup will help Lancaster throw off all the ill-effects of his leg injury. A feature of the betting operations in the last two days has been the inquiry for Rising Fast, which drifted from favourite a week ago.

The New Zealanders, Tesla, Chief Admiral, and In Step, should be better for the extended preparation allowed by the postponement of the race. No matter what conditions prevail between now and Saturday, Doomben cannot present anything but extremely heavy going on Saturday. The latest cup betting order is: Paper Strip; Big Spree, Euphrates, Tesla; Gallant Archer, Glenvue, Persian Link, Rising Fast; Sea Sovereign; Lancaster; Silver Kingdom; Chief Admiral; In Step; Kev Mar; and Coniston. MATAMATA SCRATCHINGS (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 14. Best Man was scratched yesterday for the Te Poi Steeplechase, the main race at the Matamata Racing Club’s winter meeting on Saturday: Other scratchings are:—Arawa Hack Handicap: Richchase. Manory (Peter Colin re-enters the field). First Perla Hack Handicap: Cronin, Nauvoo (Mock Battle and Hudat re-enter the field). Kintruh became ineligible for the First Peria Handicap when he won at Avondale last Saturday. His place in the field will be taken by Gold Sceptre, which was originally balloted out with right of reentry.