Rochdale May Be Tried As Stayer In Sydney

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29937, 26 September 1962, Page 4

Rochdale May Be Tried As Stayer In Sydney

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SYDNEY, September U. The six-year-ola New Zea* land horae, Rochdale, will soon be breaking out as a stayer, according to Sydney turf writers. » So far, in a very successful career, he. has raced otd9 once beyond a mile. That was »t Rotorua in May last year, when he was unplaced over 10 furlongs and 183 trainer,. W. Clifton, was quoted as saying that a CauMeld * Cup start for Rochdale was planned. “I don’t see why be shouldn’t run out a mile and a half,” Clifton said.

“There's plenty of stamina in his pedigree and he gives me the impression that he'll stay. He’s not a tearaway type and although ' he's proved very fast over sprint courses he settles down well in his races.”

Clifton added that Rochdale’s New Zealand owners. Messrs L. N. Hodgson and W. Sanders, will be here this week to see Rochdale run in the Epsom. “After the Epsom we will work out the rest of his spring programme,” said Clifton. “At the moment I intend to run him in the Caulfield Cup.” Rochdale, the winner of 15 races in New Zealand, has 9-2 in the Caulfield Cup. His supporters have no balloting worries. He will be one of the first horses to get a run in the cup if the field is over the safety limit of 20. turf writers said. A. Mulley is to ride Rochdale in the Epsom but he has already been booked for Bogan Road in the Caulfield Cup. Bookmakers slashed Roch-

dale’s bsom price five points when Malley preferred him to the better fancied Mullala.

A comparative. Rpsoen outsider until Mulley ’ decided to ride him, Rochdale now is at lees than double figure odds.

The Epsom (one mile) will be run at Randwick on Saturday. Mulley had been offered five months in the Epsom, but had confined bis choice between Mullala and Rochdale.

After riding Rochdale in track work. Mulley said he considered the New Zealand horse a better miler than Mullala. Rcchdale lias raced twiqe in Australia for unplaced, but promising efforts. Mulley has never ridden Rochdale in a race.

Rochdale was withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup today. With the 25 withdrawals today the total entries are now 120.

Among others withdrawn today were Moviegoer, Hoa Hine. Nakuatu, Maidenhead. Tunku. Kwatcha, Corsair and King Tudor.