RACING Cup Candidates Please Trainers

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30938, 20 December 1965, Page 5

RACING Cup Candidates Please Trainers

"The Press" Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH. Which will win next Monday’s Manawatu Gup— Mairin or Bandon? That is the question many Awapuni racegoers have been discussing since Saturday when each of the horses ran outstanding cup trials on the first day of the Manawatu Racing Club’s summer meeting.

Not many are looking past these horses for the £2600 cup race. Bandon’s record may result in his going to the post a marginal favourite. Mairin ran her final race trial for the cup in the President’s Handicap. She finished an unlucky fourth, threading her way through to beat all but John Derry, Rashid and Laramie. Too Short Bandon, in the weight-for-age Manawatu Challenge Stakes, finished strongly for fifth over a distance too short for him to show his best form. The connexions of both horses were, pleased with the day’s racing. Mairin’s trainer (H. H. Mills) considered his mare would improve with her gallop. N. D. Eales said that the mile would “clean up” Bandor for his attempt at 11 furlongs. Mairin Blocked After the President’s Handicap T. J. Mullane said Mairin could have won but for being blocked at the furlong. “She was making ground fast and I was sure we were going to be in it. Then she ran into a wall of horses and there was nowhere to go,” be said. John Derry beat Rashid by a length with Laramie a neck away. Mairin flashed up to take fourth from Three Kings in a photo-finish. Narbada, Acis, Awaroa, Shady, Humber and Lucky Son were next. Special Plates The stewards, inquiring into Lucky Son’s form, accepted W. D. Skelton's explanation that Lucky Son did not run on. He raced in special plates. Bandon’s run in the Challenge Stakes, although hardly as colourful as Mairin’s, emphasised his fitness for the Manawatu Cup. Racing against speedsters like Grand Win, Devastation and Starlit, Bandon had no chance of matching them over a mile. But he came home with a bustling run; and a similar effort next Monday will take him close to winning the cup. Summer Choice Eales will base Bandon’s summer programme on next Monday’s cup run. His showing will determine whether he goes to Ellerslie for the Auckland Cup, waits for the Wellington Cup at Trentham, or attempts neither. The only thing likely to cross the big races off Bandon’s list would be an abject failure on Boxing Day. This seems unlikely because Bandon is bigger, better, and stronger than he has ever been.

It is not often that horses of Bandon’s calibre run in the Manawatu Cup. His class could be a deciding factor against Mairin’s potential and perhaps harder physical condition. Drew Attention

Other cup runners which drew attention to their

chances last Saturday were Sail Away and Might, both of which showed useful form in the Challenge Stakes. Sail Away, in particular, looked an immediate improver. Of those not seen in action at the week-end, Tilka, Gold Ruth and Worthy Chat are considered the most likely to trouble the two favourites.