PROUD CHIEF IN FAVOUR TODAY

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32304, 23 May 1970, Page 6

PROUD CHIEF IN FAVOUR TODAY

“The Press’' Special Service

AUCKLAND. The grand mudlark, Proud Chief, looks the most genuine prospect for the Autumn Handicap, the first leg of the T.A.B. concession double at Rotorua today. One of the hardiest gallopers for many years, Proud Chief looked as good as ever when he worked at Taka* nini on Thursday. In his last race, at Te Rapa, a week ago, Proud Chief came second (he was promoted from third) behind Skint Dip, on ground hardly soft enough to be to his liking. The time before, he won convincingly at Trentham.

The going today could hardly be anything but soft. If the rain that has fallen over the province this week were to continue the track would be slushy and very much in Proud Chief’s favour.

Proud Chief has the topweight of 8.13. Usually when he is up round that mark he finds the going tough, but his rivals today are not especially good so the scales are reasonably well balanced.

Chenab, which was equal first in the event last year, is chosen to win the second leg, the City Handicap. He has not been in particularly good form in his present campaign but worked in a style reminiscent of his best this week.

A four-year-old, by Pakistan, Chenab is a capable sprinter when at his peak and it might be that his recent failures can be attributed to his not striking the soft ground he prefers.

Pardon, another by Pakistan, and St Bruce, might be the hardest for Chenab to beat. Pardon resumed racing at Pae-ro-a on Wednesday and looked an improver. He is partial to the Rotorua course. St Bruce is a very smart local three-year-old. He should show something like his best after three races since a lengthy spell. He was in splendid form about this time last year, showing a liking for soft footing. LOCHCOURT BEATEN (N.Z. Press Association) , SYDNEY. The New Zealand mare, Lochcourt. could finish only fourteenth in the Elderslie Handicap over six furlongs at Randwick on Wednesday. Lochcourt, which started at 66/1, was well back in the field of 17 throughout the race. The race was won by L’Affaire (6/1) by a. length from Lady Cleves (20/1), with Singe threequarters of a length away third.

Noted Racing Writer Die? (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. The death occurred in Auckland last night of Francis Eugene McManemin, aged 77. He was widely known as a racing writer. Before World War I he visited Sydney and became attached to a leading Australian trainer at the time, James Barden. After the war he was a reporter for the former “Sporting Dramatic” in Auckland then for the “Referee” in Wellington. About 1940 he turned his hand io training In the old stables al Ellerslie that had formerly quartered the team trained by his father, he rounded into shape a string of good winners, headed by Broiedame. Master Ted. Lucky Alex and. for the early part of his successful career. Archbishop

Apprentices* School.— Mr P. D. Hall, a member of the ctflnmittee of the Canterbury Jockey club, recently addressed the apprentices’ school at Riccarton on the history of racing. Next week the apprentices will be shown a film sent by the Holly-’ wood Park racing authorities in the United States.