Terrific May Miss Cup Tomorrow

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31519, 6 November 1967, Page 5

Terrific May Miss Cup Tomorrow

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) MELBOURNE. Terrific is a doubtful starter in tomorrow’s SNZ4B,OOO Melbourne Cup after pulling up lame after Saturday’s L. K. S. MacKinnon Stakes (lOf.) at Flemington, which was described by the trainer, M. Ritchie, as “the worst race he has ever run.”

Stewards ordered a swab to be taken from the New Zealand galloper, which was equal favourite for the cup before the race, after he had finished tenth in the field of 14 without looking a chance at any stage.

Taunton appears certain to get a run in the limit field of 26, as El Gordo, which has pulled a muscle, will not run and there are also doubts over starts for Swift General and Aveniam, which are both injured, and the three-year-old, Coronation Cadet, as well as Terrific and Del Charro. The cup field is;—

Ritchie stayed up all night working on Terrific's injured off-hind leg in a bid to get him to the post for tomorrow’s two-mile race. Its owner, Dr A. McGregor Grant, said: “I hope he can run. We’ve come too far not to have a run in it now."

The New Zealand-breds Red Handed and General Command, which finished fourth and fifth behind the weight-for-age star, Winfreux, in the Mackinnon Stakes, turned in the eye-catching runs of the days from a cup viewpoint. Red Handed, which is trained by the cups specialist, J. B. (“Bart”) Cummings is now a firm 3/1 favourite for the cup, with General Command on the next line at 4/1.

Another major shock was the poor run of the former New Zealander, Del Charro, which was third favourite for the cup on Saturday morning, in the Hotham Handicap (1| miles). He is also in doubt for a cup start. The Hotham was won brilliantly by the former rogue galloper. Midlander, which has come in to 6/1 third favourite for the cup.

With doubts about a number of cup fancies, racing experts are already talking of tomorrow’s race as being a “dead-set” quinella between Red Handed and General Command. Both drew wide in Saturday night’s barrier draw, but some observers said their wide positions could prove an advantage in keeping them clear of any early scrimmages for positions. Five scratchings reduced the number of acceptors to 27 before the draw was made, and V.R.C. stewards named Taunton as the only emergency. The scratchings were Prince Grant, Somerset, Te Parae, Romany and Young Brandy.

MELBOURNE CUP, $48,000: 2m. 000 Terrific (9), G. Hughes 9 1 001 Ziema (13). J. Miller 9 100 Fulmen <26) 8 13 141 Midlander (2), P. Hyland 8 11 224 Red Handed (19), R. Higgins 8 9 140 Stellar Belle (18), R. Shelton 8 9 102 El Gordo (1), R. Selkrig 8 8 520 Jay Ay (8) 8 8 305 General Command (17), G. Lane 8 7

026 Red Crest (14). R. 8 6 Taylor 3S2 Garcon (23), D. Lake 8 6 907 Swift General (25) .. 8 5 255 Del Charro (11), G. Moore 8 4 100 Aveniam (7), B. MeClune 8 2 450 Belliton (22), ll. White 8 2 183 Sunhaven (15), ■ Burgess 8 1 612 Prince Camillo (4), P. Gumbleton 8 0 510 Royal Coral (24) 7 12 300 Basin Street (20) 7 11 006 Blue Special (5) 7 11 054 Tupaki <10), G. Langby 7 10 147 Padtheway (16), F. Reys 7 9 144 Floodbird (12) 435 Special Reward ( 21). W. A. Smith 7 7 154 Swift Peter (6), w’ Camer 7 6 425 Coronation Cadet (3) 6 13 Emergency: — 147 Tauton 7 0