RACING MICHAEL MOLLOY HAS GOOD BARRIER DRAW

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31256, 31 December 1966, Page 6

RACING MICHAEL MOLLOY HAS GOOD BARRIER DRAW

“the Press” Special Senate AUCKLAND. Already one of the most popular fancies, Michael Molloy took a grip on favouritism for the Auckland Cup when barrier positions were declared for the big race.

To go with his very handy 7-5, Michael Molloy drew No. 3 barrier position and that allows him just about the most favourable starting place on Monday.

If he is able to raise ordinary pace over the two furlongs before the first turn, Michael Molloy should settle close to the pacemaking without having to cover extra ground.

Terriffic on the other hand, and several of Michael Molloy’s strongest other rivals are not nearly so well placed.

From close to the extreme outside, Terrific will have to go very hard indeed if he is to be with the leaders as they make the bend near the five furlongs. It is more likely that his rider, G. F. Hughes, a clever tactician, will keep back from the early rush and take his chance during the last mile. At Peak

Wide barrier positions have also dimmed the prospects of Royal Sheen and Apa. From close in, Apa would have attracted heavy betting. As it is. he will have a big following. He shows signs of being right at his peak again. Terrific won the Queen Elizabeth Handicap last Monday in spite of being forced over extra ground, but he was all out to beat Michael Molloy, which he will meet 41b worse this time. Michael Molloy, on top of that, looked a trifle unlucky on Monday because he was held up for a bit early in the run home.

Urupukapuka, a mare with 7-11, is the only four-year-old in the field besides Terrific and Michael Molloy. Her form has slumped and offers no

suggestion that she will beat the other two. One of the five-year-olds seems likely to be a better prospect They form a very strong group together, com-

prising as they do Honestly, Creolian, Arbroath, Geyser Land, Royal Sheen and Wonderbar. Creolian and Arbroath have already raced well at the meeting, Creolian for second behind Punjabi in the Summer Cup on Wednesday, and Arbroath for his win in the Clifford plate. Honestly was successful in a weight-for-age mile at Te Aroha two starts

Game Stayer

3 p.m.—Railway Handicap: High Glee, Tuam, Valiant Rebel.

3.50 p.m.—Resolution Handicap: Cambridge Fair, Kathey's Son, Irish Rover. 4.32 p.m.—King’s Plate: Ginza, Rainfall, Rochdale. 5.15 p.m.—Queen’s Plate: Tried and True, His Majesty, Waopoua.

back and fifth meanwhile at weight-for-age over a mile and a quarter at Paeroa.

Next to Apa, the best of the older runners promise to be Gold Chick and Lu Filou. Gold Chick is a game stayer with a liking for Ellerslie. A soft track would bring him right into favour.

A fair amount of rain yesterday and last night freshened the ground at Ellerslie and the going should be near perfect for final trials today of horses engaged on the third day of the meeting oh Monday. Fields, with form, for the double are:— Selections;— Noon.—Grafton Highweight: Corumba, Skymaster, Warea Boy. 12.40 p.m.—Midsummer Handicap: First Division: City Court, Sangtara. Second Division: Lassie’s Romance, Shoeshine. 1.30 p.m.—Auckland Cup: Michael Molloy, Terrific, Honestly. 2.15 p.m.—G.N. Foal Stakes: Brittanicus, Mannix, Ruakiwi Lass.

1.30 p.m.— 0514 AUCKLAND CUP, £15.000; 2m. Lu Filou (11) st lb 8 10 8868 Apa (21) 8 9 071 Terrific (22) 8 9 5909 Bright Chief (20) .. 8 4 2603 Gold Chick (6) .. 8 4 730 Golden Defoe (7) .. 8 4 4315 Honestly (5) 8 1 1042 Creolian (9) . 8 0 1023 Tara's Pride (18) .. 8 0 1200 Udare (16) .. 8 0 2291 Arbroath (13) 8 0 1205 Geyser Land (14) .. 7 11 3380 Urupukapuka (10) .. 7 11 0806 Midnight Kiss (15) .. 7 10 9183 Royal Sheen (23) .. 7 10 7389 Sail Away (1) 7 10 6202 Mukupai (8) 7 8 4005 Clarendon (12) 7 7 1540 Awaroa (4) 7 5 2112 Michael Molloy (3) 7 5 0505 Yardstick (19) 7 5 0123 Humber (2) ... 7 2 4008 Wonderbar (17) .. 7 2 3 p.m.— RAILWAY HANDICAP, £3000; Of. 2066 Alkaid (4) .. st lb 8 7 8180 Gene (11) ... 8 7 9173 Wavering (9) .. 8 5 1730 Barellan (7) 8 1 11 Tuam (2) 8 0 4000 Master Defence (17) 7 12 2411 High Glee (16) 7 11 2310 Captain’s Command (5) 7 10 00P0 Misere (15) 7 10 2412 Tipperary Tom (10) 7 9 9583 Silver Sunset (14) .. 7 5 4704 Summer Blaze (8) .. 7 5 2424 Valiant Rebel (1) .. 7 4 5305 Amie (6) 7 0 2000 Karin Belle (12) 7 0 6885 Prince Mahmoud (3) 7 0 Bracket: Barellan and Amie. Scratched: Kastrup (13).