OAKLEIGH PLATE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29139, 26 February 1960, Page 4

OAKLEIGH PLATE

Merry Polly Draws Well (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright/ MELBOURNE. Feb. 25. The Sydney three-year-old filly Merry Polly became pre-post favourite for the £4OOO Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on Saturday after she drew No. 6 at the barrier today. A snappy three furlongs gallop in 35Jsec by the Sydney sprinter Gay Port at Caulfield today brought him right into favour for the plate, but he drew 15. Other well-fancied horses to draw badly were Royal Artist, 17; Front Cover, 18; and My Peak, 12. Merry Polly’s trainer, Tommy Smith, said after the barrier draw he thought Merry Polly would lead all the way. The other Sydney three-year-old filly, Endure, drew well with 3, and the best of the Victorians were Planetoid, 7, and Hyleena, 4. Gay Port seems to have struck his best form at the right time and has settled down well. The Sydney jockey, T. Hill, will ride Gay Port in the Oakleigh. The New Zealand-bred Travel Boy will be ridden by Mel Schumacher in the St. George Stakes on Saturday. He worked in stylish fashion at Flemington today, running seven furlongs in Imin 39'isec, 30ft out on the course proper. Travel Boy is coming to hand rapidly. His next start after Saturday will be in the V.R.C. St. Leger Stakes, at Flemington, on March 12. The other star Sydney three-year-old, Noholme, worked over an easy six furlongs in Imin 20%sec on the course proper at Flemington, running the last half-mile in 52sec. Victoria's New Zealand-bred star, Lord, finished off his preparation for his clash with Noholme and Travel Boy in brilliant style at Caulfield today.