Morris Francis Is Timaru Cup Fancy

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30943, 27 December 1965, Page 4

Morris Francis Is Timaru Cup Fancy

Morris Francis, Washdyke’s only representative, is selected to win the Timaru Cup on his home track tomorrow.

Mr and Mrs M. F. Billington’s versatile Prize Money gelding has had a busy year, but there was no hint of weariness or loss of form in his last-start sixth in stronger company in the Hororata Cup.

Morris Francis is in the Timaru Cup field with 7.11 or 41b above the minimum. In his latest win, the Claremont Handicap at Washdyke in July, he carried a stone above the minimum and beat some good performers including Golden Blossom and Fieldmaster.

Success has eluded Morris Francis this season, but he has kept a serviceable record “moving” with three thirds.

Won Last Year

Marlow and Baalbek, principals in the finish of the Timaru Cup last year, are engaged again. Marlow beat Baalbek by a head last year, but if recent form has the more accurate bearing on their fortuntes today the Gore gelding should come out on top this time. Baalbek has been second in three of his last four starts. His latest placing was in a high-weight at Tapanui where he carried 11.1. Riccarton’s strongest representative will probably be Chatsgay. This former North Island gelding has earned consideration after a fourth in a fast-

run Hororata Cup last time out Chatsgay is bracketed with Prince Callan, a winner over a middle distance against hacks at the New Zealand Cup meeting. Sprint Form Carester and Vivien Robe have earned favour for the second leg, the Gordons Gin Handicap, with good runs at the Hororata meeting. Carester beat the consistent Reefton mare by a length over

seven furlongs on the big Riccarton course and six furlongs might show her to even greater advantage tomorrow The Cranbrook-Fairlane bracket will have a solid South I Canterbury following. I Fairlane might be the stronger half of the bracket at this distance. Flying Trix, a stablemate of Baalbek, won three races for the Winsloe stable at about this time last year. She is a quick front-runner, though she will find Carester hard tc match for early speed. Newbrook and Status Symbol will probably be Riccarton’s best. There is an on-course double on the Temuka Stakes and the Pukaki Higlvweight. 3 p.m.— TIMARU CUP, £700; Ilf and 150yds.

Bracket: Chatsgay and Prince Callan. Scratched: Lanmal (6), Debater (8), Natter (7), Opportunity (13), Yankinvdlle (10). 4.30 p.m.— GORDON'S GIN HANDICAP. £600; 6f.

st. lb. 2202 Baalbek (2) . 8 9 3306 Morris Francis (12) 7 11 0465 Glenmorven (15) ..7 8 6359 Marlborough (4) ..7 8 2220 Clipper (1) ..7 7 3384 Chatsgay (9) ..7 7 06 Lady York (3) ..7 7 4007 Marlow (14) ..7 7 0246 Prince Callan (5) ..7 7 00 Scent (11) ..7 7

st. lb. 3290 Cranbrook (10) -.9 6 24 Flying Trix <12) .. 8 13 4230 Fairlane (8) ..8 4 1112 Vivien Robe <4) ..8 4 2201 Carester (13) ..8 2 4056 Newbrook (2) ..8 1 0662 Gold View (7) ..8 0 8 Etoile Este (3) .. 7 10 8910 Waitohi (5) .. 7 10 700 Deladana (14) ..7 8 Belle York (9) ..7 7 1098 Mister Bud (11) ..77 0 Sabell (1) .77 3486 Status Symbol (15) 7 7 Bracket: Cranbrook and Fairlane. Scratched: Warfare (6).