Sky High Chosen For Epsom Hcp.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29940, 29 September 1962, Page 4

Sky High Chosen For Epsom Hcp.

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright)

SYDNEY, September 28 Australia's leading galloper, Sky High, faces the toughest task of hls brilliant career tomorrow ,in carrying 10-2 in the Epsom Handicap, the first leg of the big Randwick double. A win tomorrow would take Sky High'S total winnings to more than £70,000 —he has already won £60,555 —and equal a long-standing weight-carrying record. The only horse to carry the record 10-2 to victory in the Epsom was Carbine's contemporary, Marvel, in 1891. Sky High, a grandson of the great New Zealand-bred mare. Flight, is outright favourite in spite of his great burden. The second favourite, after steady support in the last two days, is the New Zealand sprinter, Rochdale. Rochdale is still four points longer in odds than Sky High, which is at fractional odds against. In the last three days the combination of Rochdale and the New Zealand-bred and Adelaide-owned stayer, The Dip, in the Epsom - Metropolitan double, has been backed for more than £60,000. All the pointers are to a brilliant win for Sky High tomorrow. He is at peak fitness, the track is firm, and the race is over hls favourite distance of one mile. Sky High's wins Include the £lO,OOO A.J.C. Derby, the £lO,OOO Invitation twice, and last year’s Epsom Handicap. This time up he has not been beaten in four starts. He has won the Canterbury Stakes. Warwick Stakes. Hill Stakes, and last Saturday scored a brilliant win in the £BOOO Invitation Stakes with 9-7. This win earned him a 61b penalty which took his Epsom weight to 10-2. Since his Invitation Stakes win Sky High has worked brilliantly at Randwick. Skv High has drawn No. 10 at the barrier in a field of 15, but he has enough early speed to get a handy position in the early stages. Rochdale and the light-weight. Trace Call, may be the hardest for Sky High to beat Rochdale has a wonderful record in New Zealand. He

won 16 races before coming to Australia. At hls only two starts here he has shown good form. He finished stoutly in the Flying Handicap at Rosehill. He was heavily backed to win the Theo Marks Quality Stakes, but spread a plate and finished fifth. Rochdale has drawn No. 3 at the barrier. From there hls rider. A. Mulley, should be handy to the leaders all the way. Trace Call Is a five-year-old. but has only raced 10 times In his career. He has won four

times and has only 7-1. His jockey. A. Podmore, will probably ride him 21b overweight. Trace Call has worked brilliantly at Randwick. Mullala ran a splendid third in the Invitation Stakes to Sky High and Wenona Girl, and he must have a great chance. New Statesman has good form In Victoria, but he has not galloped well In Sydney. The champion three-vear-old, Bogan Road, is at odds-on to win the £lO.OOO A.J.C. Derby and Is sure to be heavily backed on the course in spite of his short quote. Bogan Road will be racing over a mile and a half for the first time and will be going for hls fourth successive win. He won his last start over 10 furlongs in the Rosehill Guineas and came home like a true stayer. Strongest challenge to Bogan Road could come from the New Zealand-bred Summer Prince, ridden by G. Moore. Bogan Road defeated Summer Prince in the Rosehill Guineas. The fields for the two main races tomorrow are:— 4.15 New Zealand Time.— A.J.C. DERBY, £10,000; Um.— My Rego (7) K. Smith; Summer Prince (10) G. Moore; King Roto (4) Clare; Bambi Wood (3) Bogan Road (8) Mulley; Garonian (5) Selkrig; Pengam (9). Marchant (2), Jerkin (1), Gay Glance (6). Arrogant Boy (11) Sanders 8-10. 5.5 p.m. New Zealand Time.— EPSOM ’ HANDICAP. £8000; Im Sky High (10) Moore 10-2; Persian Lyric (12) T. Hill 9-4; Fine and Dandy (5) HoodRochdale (3) Mulley 9-1; New Statesman (8) K. Smith 9-0; Wenona Girl (2) D. Weir 8-13; Mullala (9) J. Thompson; Friar's Peak (13) C. Clare 8-2; Bush Belle (6) H. Cope; Kandavu (7) Selkrig 7-13; Don Palatine (11) W. Camer 7-10; Gay Craig (15) Robinson 7-9; Birchwood (14) Sullivan 7-3; Trace Call (4) Podmore 7-1; Our Cobber (11) 7-0.