NERULA LIKELY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29651, 23 October 1961, Page 4

NERULA LIKELY

Trentham Today

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Oct. 22. Fair Filou and Nerula, the early favourites for the New Zealand Cup, will meet at weigh t-for-age in the Harcourt Stakes at Trentham tomorrow. There is every prospect of another keen tussle between these two high class horses, both now right at the top of their form. They met in the Wellington Handicap over a mile and a half on the first day of the meeting, Fair Filou mastering 9-6 to beat Nerula (9-1) by a neck. Yesterday Nerula proved Wellington Handicap form the best when he won the Watkins Handicap brilliantly under 9-4. Fair Filou will be ridden by L. G. Coles, who will replace G. F. Hughes. Hughes is under suspension for a month. The brilliant apprentice, L. K. Tinsley, will ride Nerula. Picaroon is another good weight-for-age winner in the field, and is fairly certain to be a strong contender for victory. Ma Cherie, Dashing Star and Top Rank make up the field. Top Rank is the lone three-year-old and does not apoear to be a one of top class. But he might do much towards making the race outstanding if he goes out to set a solid pace and make his older rivals carry their weight from the start. Top Rank will be ridden by W. D. Skelton. Tomorrow’s double will be on the Pearce and Nainai Handicaps. Moy, an unlucky fourth in the Wainui Handicap on the first day of the meeting, should take beating in the £2250 Pearce Handicap. Others with better than average chances are the consistent Gauntlet and the Winter Cup winner, Fairassan. Fair Merit, runner-up to D Day in the Shorts Handicap last Saturday week, should take beating in the Nainai Handicap. Others with strong chances in this field are Otematata. Outcome, Advance General and Marengo. If the weather holds, and M was brilliantly fine in Wellington today, there should be some fast gallops.