Win In Cup Trial Gives Trainer Clear Lead

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31737, 22 July 1968, Page 4

Win In Cup Trial Gives Trainer Clear Lead

"The Press” Special Service PALMERSTON NTH. By winning the Winter Cup' trial at Awapuni on Saturday, Free Pass probably assured S. A. Brown of success in the training premiership this season. Brown drew further ahead of his Woodville rival, E. Ropiha.

With less than a fortnight to the end of the current season, Brown has prepared the winners of 46 races. Ropiha’s tally stands at 43. He failed to improve this score at the Manawatu Hunt Club’s meeting. However, Ropiha’s stakes tally of $78,460 exceeds that of the Brown stable, which has won $62,640. Between them they have won 89 races, 153 minor placings and $141,100 in stake money. This season Woodvilletrained horses have won 138 races. Ineluding some of the country's major prizes. The centre is likely to be strongly represented at the spring racing carnivals in Australia later this year. In the Winter Cup Trial Free Pass came from near the tail of the field, finishing fast down the outside of the track. He took the major prize from the outsider. Mystery Man, with the each-way favourite, Royal Theme, third. Free Pass will travel north for the Taumarunui Cup next Saturday. R. J. Skelton h«> been engaged for him in that event. If a suitable air trip can be arranged from Hamilton, Free Pass will go south to RlCcarton for the Winter Cup. Although beaten. Royal Theme was far from disappointing. He did not handle the holding track. Nor did he appreciate running rather close to the paee in the early stages. He win go north for the Taumaruaui Cup but he will not go to Riccarton. The stable will be represented by General Myth In the Winter Cup.

Kalkohe continued the outstanding run ef success I. P. Carter has been having with Ms small team ot jumpers. He ran away from the Pukehou Hurdles and earned a trip south for minor raees at the Grand National meeting.

But the feature of the jumping was undoubtedly the way I Grand Coeur won the Manawatu ] Hunt Cup. He was handled per- 1 fectly by rider, R. A. Jenkins, < who used the horse’s pace to i advantage. j

Grand Coeur. which has been placed well by E. Temperton throughout his career, will go south now for the Grand National Steeplechase. The country is stiffer there, but his trainer expects him to manage it well on drier footing.