Ben Lomond Is Cup Favourite

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32118, 14 October 1969, Page 4

Ben Lomond Is Cup Favourite

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent) MELBOURNE. The New Zealander, Ben Lomond, has been promoted to s*l outright favouritism for the Melbourne Cup after his third in Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes.

Rain Lover, which finished a somewhat dis* appointing fourth in the stakes, now shares 7-1 second favouritism with Big Philou and Tails. Hamua and the New Zea-land-bred Fileur are on the third line at 10-1. Hamua has firmed sharply after his impressive victory in the Caulfield Stakes. The New Zealand jockey, W. D. Skelton, will ride Hamua in Saturday’s $56,250 Caulfield Cup. Skelton was to have ridden Daryl's Joy in the Cup, with the American. J. Sellers, on Hamua. Daryl's Joy was sold on Sunday, however. The Woodville trainer, S.

Blown, said he was very happy with Hamua's performance on Saturday. “It was a fast run event and Hamua went up the hill in great style,” he said. “Now I think be is well in the race with 8-9 after carrying M in the stakes.*’ Hamua earned an automatic start in the Cup for his Stakes win. Before the race he was in danger of being balloted out. The final Cup acceptances will be taken today, but the ballot or draw for barrriers will not be made until Thursday. At this stage it seems certain that today’s acceptors will be more than 20, the maximum number allowed to start.