Sydney Campaign Not Yet Certain

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32072, 21 August 1969, Page 4

Sydney Campaign Not Yet Certain

Honourbright, an impressive winner of the Johnston Memorial Handicap of about one mile and a quarter at Matamata on Saturday, will have to win another race or go very close before he convinces his Takanini trainer, C. M. Jillings, that he is worthy of a trip to Australia.

Jillings feels that although Honourbright finished two lengths clear of the rest of the field in Saturday’s race he beat only moderate middledistance horses in Ruakiwi lass and Corßassiere.

Honourbright is entered in the A.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap, worth $27,000 to the winner, to be run at a mile and five furlongs at Randwick on October 6. Before a trip is decided, consideration must be given to the cost of getting the horse to Australia and back, and more important, his fitness.

A slx-y*ar-old gelding by Comte De Grasse from Gay Suzette, Honourbright has had two major setbacks In his racing career. A fetlock injury as a two-year-old and then a knock on the cannon bone last year must have made him a slightly suspect horse. The horse's owners are faced with the problem of deciding if Honourbright will stand up to a hard campaign, and if he is good enough to win the race.

Honourbright’* chances are not considered high at this stage by Sydney bookmakers working on the Epsom Handicap - Metropolitan Handicap double. Should a definite start for Honourbright be made they would reduce hie odds. EPSOM FANCY New Zealand horses have better chances In the Epsom Handicap, first leg of the A.J.C. spring double to be run over a mUe at Bandwick on October 4. Nausorl, a very unlucky fourth in the rich A.J.C. Doncaster Handicap on April 5 this year, looks to have excellent prospects of winning, and has been Installed an early favourite. Nausorl was again unlucky when he was beaten in the All Aged Stakes over a mile on the same course two days later. Although he finished fourth, Nausorl was less than a length and a half from the winner.

CaugM on the ralle until inside the furlong post, Nausorl finished much stronger out wide than the rest of the field to catch all but the placegetters. He was then handed over to Bandwick trainer A. Ward and spelled. ENCOURAGING At his first run after the spell he ran a convincing third on a heavy track at Rosehill on July 3. At his latest start Nausori, after being caught near the rear of the field and taken wide on the home turn, ran a very creditable fourth. Bookmakers reacted sharply to the run and cut Nausorl'* price from 8-1 to 8-1. Zephyrus, which Is being preftared for the Epsom by the eading Sydney trainer, T. J. Smith, easily won his first race in Australia. Zephyrus has not raced since his win. He suffered a slight setback a week later when he caught a 24-hour infection. However, he recovered fairly quickly and has pleased connections since. Both Nausorl and Zephyrus

ar* entered for th* Warwick Stakes to be run over seven furlongs at Warwick Farm on Saturday. Nausorl has been given the maximum weight of 9-3 and will concede Zephyrus 131 b. Zephyrus may be scratched If h« is not completely back to normal after his recent setback. It Zephyrus contests the race he will need to run well as the race is considered an easy seven furlongs. Should he not perform well It would appear that the Randwick mile may prov* mor* than he can handle.