Sun Chief's Chances In Cup Heat

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29734, 30 January 1962, Page 4

Sun Chief's Chances In Cup Heat

(From Our Own Reporter)

DUNEDIN, January 29,

One of the most widely discussed topics regarding the Dunedin Festival Cup is whether the Oamaru fiveyear old. Sun Chief, will reach a place in the £2500 final, to be run on Saturday night at Forbury Park, or whether he will have to be content with a run in the Consolation Race. It appears as though he will have to gain at least a point in the second set of qualifying heats on Thursday to earn a place in the final Eight horses earned points in the first set of heats on Saturday and at present it seems there will be a maximum field of only 11 or 12 in the final. It will be unusual if at least four fresh horses do not gain points on Thursday, so Sun Chief will have to finish in the first four in his heat to be assured of a run in the final.

Saturday's race was his first since November and he could be improved On the other hand the heat in which he raced was run in time more Ulan ssec slower than that returned by Patchwork, winner of the other heat, and

he was well beaten in seventh place Excuses for Defeat

Among the excuse* advanced for his defeat was that he was one out from the fence without a trail for much of the race. However, he appeared to be hanging badly much of the way and was a beaten horse at least two furlongs from the finish While it must be accepted that improvement is likely it will have to be considerable for him to have much chance if the pace is solid in his heat on Thursday. He is a long way below’ the horse which finished a close second to False Step in the 1960 New Zealand Cup at Addington. Invicta, the 1961 New Zealand Cup winner, also needs to finish in the first four in his heat to be assured of a place in bhe ' final. He was far from disgraced when fifth in the heat won by King Hal on Saturday. Invicta started from 30 yards and was pacing comfortably towar-t® the rear of the field until the last two furlongs. The pace at that stage was very solid and it gave him Mttle chance of making up much leeway. At the finish he was making ground on the four to finish in front of him. Invicta looks fitter now than when he won the cup in November. With a clean start in his U-furlong heat on Thursday he should at least take part in the finish. He looks favourably placed on 12 yards for a horse with his performances. Va Vite* Zany and Gildirect all raced well enough in the first series of heats to be given chances of gaining sufficient points on Thursday to earn themseleves a start in the final.