II Tempo Well

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32392, 3 September 1970, Page 4

II Tempo Well

i (N.Z. Press Association) MELBOURNE. The champion New Zealand ' stayer. Il Tempo, is doing everything right as he prepares for his assault on the Melbourne Cup In two months time. Because of very heavy grass the eight-year-old gelding has bfien doing most of his work on the sand at the Mornington race track. He ia being put through paca work with some fast gallops. Mr B. Priscott, the ownertrainer. said II Tempo was likely to havt his first major run In the wslght-for-age Caulfield Stakes, one mile and a quarter, at Caulfield on October ' This Is the race that the New Zealand stayer, Hamua, wen last year from Big Philou and ' Ben Lomond. But 11 Tempo might have one ; run before the Caulfield Stakes. :Mr Priscott is hopeful of arranging an exhibition gallop between raees at Moonee Valley on September IS. “I’ll be discussing this with Mr lan McEwen (a New Zealander who is secretary of the Moonee Valley Racing Club) in 1 the next few days." Mr Priscott said.

If the exhibition gallop was not staged, Mr Priscott eaid. there was a possibility II Tempo would run In a six or sevenfurlong race. The champion appears to thrive on a light preparation. Last year he was successful in the Auckland Cup with only three conditioning runs. Il Tempo’s New Zealand jockey. N. Riordan, would fly to Melbourne on Sunday, Mr Priscott said. Riordan will ride the stayer in trackwork and in all his raees.