AUSTRALIAN EVENTS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30847, 4 September 1965, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN EVENTS

Small Fields In Main Races (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY. The results of races at Sydney and Melbourne today could be the first real pointers to form for the big spring carnivals in the two centres in the next two months. At Sydney one of the smallest fields on record—only four will face the starter—will contest the nine furlong weight-for-age Chelmsford Stakes, and at Melmourne nine runners, including several New Zealand horses, will run in the Memsie Stakes. Favourite for the Chelmsford at Randwick is the three-year-old son of Agricola, Pyramus. This will be his first start in open company but in a weak field he is expected to win. He will be ridden by G. Moore. The weight-for-age Memsie Stakes has drawn a much better class field at Caulfield. Among the New Zealand horses engaged is the stayer, Royal Duty. Last season Royal Duty ran a string of second placings, but because of a damaged hoof ran poorly in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

At present he is second favourite behind Matloch in the Caulfield Cup market and fourth favourite in the Melbourne Cup. Other New Zealand horses in the field are Captain Blue and Future, both of which have done well in training. Yangtze, surprise winner of last year’s Caulfield Cup, is another.

McLean Stakes In Divisions ?

“T/ie Press” Special Service DUNEDIN. The Dunedin Jockey Club is considering running the McLean Stakes in divisions. This would be unusual for a classic event, but the record number of 35 two-year-olds entered for the four-furlong event on the opening day of the club’s spring meeting would mean otherwise that a large number of horses would be eliminated. The safety number for two-year-olds at the four-furlong barrier is 16. If the number of horses remaining in the field at the scratching time on the morning of the race exceeds 22 it is proposed to run the race in two divisions. If there are two divisions the club will increase the stake for the race by £250 to £750. The owner of the winner of each division will receive £3OO, second £5O and third £25