ROYAL ZORRA IN FAVOUR

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28471, 28 December 1957, Page 6

ROYAL ZORRA IN FAVOUR

First Leg At Manawatu

“The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON. December 27. The Taranaki sprinters. Royal Zorra and Monogram will be strongly supported for the Freyberg Handicap, the first leg of the off-course double on the last day of the Manawatu Racing Club’s summer meeting at Awapuni tomorrow. The Freyberg Handicap is run over a mile for £llOO. Monogram was the winner last year, when the weather was bad and the ground heavy. Royal Zorra has not done much racing lately, but she has been working well at Awapuni, and is fresh and well. She has earned some concession in weight since the season opened, and is now down to 8-10, at which she should be very hard to beat. She carried 8-13 when she won the Thompson Handicap, one mile, at Trentham in March.

Monogram resumed racing on Thursday, and after being back in the early stages of the Wood Handicap, he ran on for a close fourth. Monogram looks very bright, and he raced on Thursday like an improver. The second leg of the off-course double is the Westbury Hack Handicap, run over six furlongs, and the pick of the field appears to be Bookful, King’s Rule, Articulator, and Ballador. The weather outlook is uncertain, but unless there is heavy rain the track is not likely to be affected. A few light showers would improve Selections:— 11.15 a.m.— Linton Highweight: Curzon. Lloma. Golden Offer. 11.55 a.m.—Trial Plate—First division: Ranganui, Dowbred. Second division: Battle. Ruby Marie. 12.40 p.m.—Freyberg Handicap: Royal Zorra, Monogram. Drum Roll. 1-20 « P-m.—Nursery Handicap: Bland Sprite, Loveable, Dewkist. 2.5 p.m.—Westbury Hack Handicap: King s Rule. Bookful, Articulator. 2.50 p.m.—Awapuni Stakes: Imitation, Savage. San Gold. 3.30 p.m.—Christmas Handicap: Port .Rush, Brookside, Man-’o-mars. 4.15 p.m.—Highden Hack Handicap: Sarabelle, Paulo, Bion.