START FOR ROCHDALE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30103, 10 April 1963, Page 4

START FOR ROCHDALE

Owner To Make Decision

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright; SYDNEY, April 9. A decision whether the Epsom winner, Rochdale, starts in the £BOOO Doncaster Handicap at Randwick on April 13 hinges on a telephone cal] to New Zealand tonight. The trainer, W. Clifton, said today that he would call the owner tonight and tell him of Rochdale's progress. “I will not make a recommendation one way or the other and will leave it to the owner to decide,” Clifton said today. Clifton said he was quite satisfied with Rochdale's work at Canterbury today. Ridden by the New Zealand jockey, K. Nuttall, Rochdale worked with Nukuatu over five furlongs in Imin 7Jsec on the course proper 45ft out.

Rochdale has not started since he finished third to Woambra and Prince Regoli in the £lO,OOO mile at Flemington on November 10 last year.

Last spring Rochdale won the Epsom Handicap. Before starting in that race he had only two starts.

The Doncaster favourite, Prince Regoli, was at Randwick today, but was not out to make time.

Ridden by his race jockey, L. G. Coles, Prince Regoli was not at top speed over three furlongs in 44sec. He has done well since his third in the Malayan Cup at Randwick last Saturday. Punters who have backed Le Storm heavily tor the Doncaster have every reason to feel pleased with the gelding’s race and track form. He has been placed at his only two races after a spell and today worked in great style at Rand wick.

Hopeful Gets Ticket

Hopeful gained a qualifying ticket with a sound run over four hurdles at Riccarton yesterday and he will probably have his first racing experience as a jumper on his home course next Tuesday. Hopeful (N. Cowles) was accompanied by the experienced Sports Date (R. A. Williams), which jumped to a short lead at the second flight Hopeful ran up again quickly on the flat, and they jumped the last two flights together.