RACING Awapuni Stablemates Dominate Nelson Cup

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31669, 3 May 1968, Page 4

RACING Awapuni Stablemates Dominate Nelson Cup

“The Prtii’* Special Service NELSON. The Temperton-trained stablemates, Grand Coeur and Gold Mint, provide a virtually unbeatable bracket in the $2OBO Nelson Cup tomorrow.

The Awapuni pair completely dominated the open handicaps at Blenheim and stand out in tomorrow’s 11furlong event, which is the first leg of the Nelson Racing Club’s T.A.B. double.

Weather conditions will undoubtedly have a big bearing

on prospects for the 11-fur-long event If the ground is affected by rain, Grand Coeur will make most appeal. Gold Mint is more likely to add to his record on firmer going. There has been steady rain at Nelson, and consequently Grand Coeur may have an excellent chance to add to his already illustrious Nelson Cup record.

The nine-year-old Ruthless gelding first won the event in 1963, scoring again the next year and in 1966. In addition he has been placed twice in the other years. A Wellington businessman, Mr M. N. Manthel, has an interest in both Grand Coeur and Gold Mint so they will be bracketed in the Nelson Cup. With His Lordship, twice placed at Blenheim, considered an unlikely runner—his connections planned to return to the Wairarapa rather than make the Nelson trip—the remaining runners are well matched. Possibly the best could be Takatua, which finished third at the Riccarton Easter meeting when last produced, lie

can produce a fine finishing run so could be suited by the long Nelson straight. Jen Hal, with W. D. Skelton aboard, failed to fulfil expectations at Blenheim. He was fifth in the Deweid Gold Cup after racing outside the leading division for most of the race. Might is vulnerable on soft tracks so Jay Ribbon, although he failed at Blenheim, may rtfll be a better

proposition. Cumberland and The Medico would have to improve on their Blenheim performances to warrant a chance. Fresh Horses Fresh horses In the contest are the disappointing Sail Away, which started a Melbourne Cup favourite earlier in his career, and the recent hack graduate Port Bank. Colorado Boy easily beat the Blenheim sprinters earlier in the week so he should extend his record in the Wellington District Handicap, which will complete the double.

Most opposition should eome from Bourbon Lass, which won over the distance at Blenheim, and Debbie Marie, third in two, Marlborough attempts. Other leading contenders appear to be the Te Aroha visitor. Game Hunter, and the useful (South Canterbury three-yeatM>ld, Jay Ribbon.

OM-COUUI DOftIBLB

Hom— BHHIva HUROLM WM; ljm« ♦112 Roni AdmWOl (1) .. 1 0 Gilpin (4) .. 0024 Prlnco 4’Amour (4) rt lb 5 11 7

OOM Gayomana (11) . 0 8 8131 Agra (1) Warm Up (3) . 4 4 Mvr . 4 4 0400 Baellle (10) : 1 . 9 1 4800 osso X.M’lS) 7440 Ota io Bank (2> 9 1 4430 The Mitiionary Indian Chief (7) (9 ) 4 1 0540 . 4 0 1.10 WAIMHA IMPRdVMS* HACK HANDICAP 5112 8550; 71. st lb Ribbon (10) . 8 7 0531 Cheetah (8) . 8 1 7320 Solarium (5) . 8 1 13 Le Chapeau (12) Belle Sierra (4) . 8 0 5411 . 7 10 8940 Charlama (2) . 7 8 7350 Conway Stewart Gay Merit (15) (0 ) 7 8 7775 . 7 8 90 Academe (10) ■ . 7 7 7070 Alberta (0) .. 7 7 0732 Bevlyn (1) . 7 7 Golden Supreme (7 7 7 8659 Kowhai Princess (3 7 7 4070 Prince Magundl 14 7 7 8640 Sure Light (11) Proud Celt (IS) 7 7 9991 . 7 7 T.A.B. DBUBLB IM p.m.— NILSON CUP 42080; lit. at lb 2400 Jon Hal (3) .. 8 10 0231 Grand Coaur (1) 8 0 9121 Gold Mint (4) S 0 7870 Sall Away (0) Might <•> 8 4 3754 4 3 2123 Hia Lordship (2) 7 12 3303 Certain (5) . Cumberland (7) 7 10 7 ! 1150 Jay Ribbon (10) 7 0 1100 Port Bank (11) Takatua (12) 7 .0 2363 7 0 7970 The Medico (3) 7 0 Brackett: Grand Co Gold Mint, Gay Blbbon eur and and Carloin. IJt p.m.— WILLINGTON DISTRICT HANDICAP 012M; 77. St lb 3431 Bourbon Lass (5) ! ! 1121 Colorado Boy (1) 7 13 3031 Debbie Marie (10) 7 13 4000 Don’s Delight (5) 7 10 1150 2754 jay Ribbon (3) Wilma Rudolph .. 7 19 (9) 7 10 3420 Centaur (4) 7 3 SO Cumberland (11) 7 8 0044 Game Hunter (8) 7 8 SOM 0024 Jayees (2) Prince d’Amour ..7 8 (7) 7 8 Bracket: Don't Delight and Game Hunter.