Damian’s Pride Likely In Waikato Gold Cup

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30918, 26 November 1965, Page 4

Damian’s Pride Likely In Waikato Gold Cup

"The Press" Special Service

AUCKLAND.

Damian’s Pride, a six-year-old from M. C. Conway’s highly successful Waiuku stable, has a great chance to take his earnings to £6410 in the £3OOO Waikato Gold Cup, a mile and a half, at Te Raap on Saturday.

The Cup field is packed with possibilities. Damian’s Pride has the advantage of being a free goer. That should enable him to be well clear of trouble during the running.

He has thrilled racegoers in his recent races with his ability to go a hard middle distance in front. Judging by the way he has run out 11 furlongs lately he should have little difficulty in getting the extra furlong on Sat-rday. Damian’s Pride’s toughest rivals appear to be Apa. a hardy seven-year-old from Otaki, Tatua, who has a host of fine performances to his credit at middle distances. Aro, Summer Regent and Elkayel. Since 1940, six-year-olds have had a good record in the Waikato Gold Cup. They have won seven of the last 24 contests. Tatua and Aro are also six. Others in that age group are Clarendon, Regal Ruler, Golden Defoe. Garden Place and First Mate. Damian’s Pride, at his last start, scored a narrow but impressive win over his stablemate, Creemore, in the Bollard Memorial, a mile and three furlongs, at Avondale two weeks ago. The time before, carrying 7-9, 111 b less than he has on Saturday. Damian’s Pride beat Blue Lodge by three-quarters of a length in the Alison Cup at Ellerslie. On both occasions Damian’s Pride led from end to end. In the Bollard Memorial Creemore made him go hard, but he showed all the qualities needed of a stayer and fought back determinedly. • Damian’s Pride will be ridden by W. J. Mudford, who was successful in the 1947 Cup on the Takanini gelding Royal Charter.

Apa ran creditably for seventh in the Miller Mrl'le, on the first day of the meeting, over a journey which does ndt seem to suit him. He is A tough gelding and a proved stayer. In last year’s Cup Apa finisihed sixth. On the first day of the meeting he sihowed his worth by beating Yardstick, Apathy and a high-class field of stayers in the Hamilton Centennial Cup, 11 furlongs. He carried 8-2. Tatua Fit Tatua, a gelding by S-aJakeda from Te Awa, indicated a return to bis best form when he was narrowly beaten by Urupukapuka, to whom he was conceding 241 b, and Scbig in the weight-forage Foxbridge Plate, a mile and a quarter, on the first day. That effort was by far his best performance this term.

With the weight scaled down, Tatua is required to carry 8-8 or lib less than the top-weight. Summer Regent. That would be the lightest weight Tatua has had for a considerable time. Aro has been handled patiently since resuming from a spell and by his fourth in the Foxbridge Plate he promised to be at peak for the Cup. Since coming back into work with J. WickMff at Te Awamutu, Aro (Syntax—Taction) has had five starts for a second, two thirds, a fourth and a sixth.

Summer Regent and Elkayel, locally prepared seven-year olds, will have big followings. The weather is fine and tne track will be fast.

Selections: 11.15 a.m.—Fran kt an Handicap: High Haws, Htopiah, Wairar, Lass. Nosn. —Ruakura Handicap: First Divisicn: Dashing Lu, Bostock. Secand Division: Dot Doo, Toytime. 12.45 p.m.—Waikato Guineas: Urupukapuka, Farmer's Boy, Fairßeet. 1.30 p.m.—Sutherland Hurdles: Khoringa, Rtpeal, Starboard.

2.15 p.m.—Waikato Gold Cup: Damian’s Pridt, Apa, Tatua.

3 p.m.—Champion Handicap: Invincible, All Smoke, Treble. 3.45 p.m.—Grandstand Handicap: Boscar, Michael, Hilldole.

4.25 p.m.—Linley Handicap: Silver Sunset, Peter, man, Fontura.

Fields with form for the double are:—

2.15 p.m-r-WAIKATO GOLD CUP, £3000; Ijm.

Brackets: Carlynn and Passionate, Persian Star and El Khebira. Baleno and Bright Chief, First Mate and Magician

3.45 p.m.— GRANDSTAND HANDICAP, £1250; It.

Brackets: Boodle and Prince Menu. Faralevine and Anfao Dameelle and KarenL Overdale and »ynela.

st lb 0448 Summer Regent (7) 8 7 0211 Damian’s Pride (6) S 6 402 Elkayel (14) 8 6 0353 Tatua (4) 8 6 3234 Aro (11) 8 4 000 Calm Comet (10) .. 8 4 6805 Clarendon (2) ». 8 1 1735 Tardini (25) 7 12 1425 Blue Lodge <3) 7 12 4140 Kiwi Fox (21) 7 12 00 Patanga (13) 7 10 0004 EOgal Ruler (26) 7 9 0047 Apa (18) 7 8 0390 Golden Defoe (1) .. 7 8 9120 Old Parr (19) 7 7 0430 Ichtar (27) 7 7 0120 Dark Intrigue (15) .. 7 6 7230 Kamikaze (20) 7 6 13 Garden Place (8) .. 7 5 8020 Mi-Minx (23) 7 5 7973 Carlynn (5) 7 4 0120 Passionate (28) 7 4 900 Persian Star (9) 7 3 2200 El Khebira (17) 7 2 Balloted out with right f reentry:— 0607 First Slate (12) 7 0 0900 Magician (16) 7 0 3380 Bright Chief (22) .. 7 0 40 Baleno (24) 7 0

0 Fencourt <2S> ». tt lb 9 1 905 Impresario (28) 8 9 741 Michael (15) 8 8 600 YardsticK *3) 8 5 A Hilldale <19> 8 0 0702 Master Defence (91 8 0 61 Kangaroo Town (7) 8 0 110 Old and Bold (28) .. •7 12 4350 Otematata (17) 7 11 3594 Maria Mitchell <«) .. 7 10 Grand Filou (24) 7 8 2256 Umpah (4) 7 8 24 Wonderbar (13) .7 8 0270 Cherie Brizard (5) .. 7 3 Kay Filou (10) 7 3 246 Boscar (12) 7 2 Mavis Brae (1) 7 2 3621 Boodle (22) 7 1 0 Gina Lollobrigida (8) 7 1 50 Lerna (2) 7 1 0080 Misere (23) 7 1 0 Paralovine (14) 7 1 0 Prince Mann (27) .. 7 1 0800 Damselle (16) 7 0 Balloted out with right reentry • —— 1S70 Karent (18) 7 0 4760 Overdale <20) 7 0 «00 Synola (21) 7 0 9 Antao (11) 7 0