Heavy Ground At Ellerslie Today

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32382, 22 August 1970, Page 8

Heavy Ground At Ellerslie Today

“The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND.

An overnight change to heavy ground will keep several formerly wellregarded candidates away from the Pakuranga meeting at Ellerslie today, but the trainer, D. 3. O’Sullivan, does not consider it will make any difference to Sunseeker, an early favourite for the Hunt Cup.

“As long as the going does not become puggy I think my fellow will handle it well enough,” said O’Sullivan yesterday. “He has raced all right in the wet over hurdles and the slower steeplechase pace should make it easier for him.”

O'Sullivan is not perturbed over Sunseeker’s indifferent display over fences at Matamata on Thursday. A fast and clever race jumper usually, Sunseeker, according to O’Sullivan, is “just terrible in his schooling at home.”

In new surroundings Sunseeker is considerably better, and on that account he is sometimes taken away from bis home course for schooling. He has trained on well and will be brought to Ellerslie this morning. Kimberlite, which became, lame during the week, was scratched yesterday for the Hunt Cup and with a heavy track just about certain the field will probably be further reduced by the withdrawal of Macquarrie, which is not at all happy in such conditions.

Sifta Sam, the top-weight, is one of the Hunt Cup runners which will come further into favour because of the track conditions.

Foxrangi has showed him-

self capable enough in such going so he should hold his place as one of the bestbacked candidates.