Sir Cullus unlucky

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32425, 12 October 1970, Page 8

Sir Cullus unlucky

“The Press’* Special Service AUCKLAND. Sir Cullus cost betters thousands of dollars when only third in the Mitchelson Cup at Ellerslie on Saturday—but should never have lost the big race. With any luck he must have won by lengths. As it was, he came from

last and failed by no more than a long neck and a head to collar Blue Winter and Forebrace. Always an early favourite, 1 Sir Cullus became an even stronger fancy when the going turned very soft. His win dividend would have been a little more than even money—and he dominated, likewise, betting on the T.A.B. double. Blue Winter was the eighth favourite and Forebrace the rank outsider but two in the 13-horse field. MIXED RECEPTION For the second time in a month or so Blue Winter came back first to a mixed reception, but once again the booing was almost certainly provoked by the failure of a favourite. The previous time, at Avondale, racegoers had been angered by Skint Dip’s not getting closer than third. They had every reason on this occasion, to complain at the manner in which Sir Cullus was handled during the race. His rider, J. F. Harris,, of Hawera, had the unhappiest of times from the very moment they began. Usually smart from the start, Sir Cullus lost much ground and was near last in the first furlong. For the next mile, Harris was mainly occupied with hauling his mount back from the heels of horses in front. On the home turn, with less than three furlongs to go, the favourite led only Nipawin, which makes it Ills habit to tail the field until the home straight. He was in trouble again, a little further on, when trying to get through the field. Even then it seemed he might overcome all this when he set out again in such great style to attempt to head Blue Winter

and Forebrace. The effort was only just beyond him. A win for Sir Cullus, in such circumstances, would have been remarkable. His getting as close as he did represented one of the best losing performances at Ellerslie for a long while. Blue Winter, a seven-year-old gelding from Cambridge, finished fourth a week before, over 11; furlongs in the Spring Handicap, after spoiling his chance by pulling very hard in front. For a change, he raced from the back in the Mitchelson Cup, being near Sir Cullus with six furlongs to go, but in nothing like the same trouble. By the time they made the home turn, G. F. Hughes had him up third behind Mac’s Pride and Forebrace, and he was in front outside the last furlong. Forebrace, which battled on well after chasing the pacemaker Mac’s Pride all the way, showed at last something of the form which made him so good this time last year. Behind Sir Cullus, the beaten lot were upward of two lengths and a half away. Very little could be said to their credit. EPSOM HANDICAP In a field reduced from 15 to nine through scratchings, Corrandulla won decisively from Harleigh March in the second leg of the double, the Epsom Handicap. Corrandulla has now had four starts after a spell for two firsts, a third, and a fourth. As good as he looked last season, he seems better now, as a four-year-old. He kept up close to the pace! from the beginning, and resisted! well a stout challenge from Harleigh March. The others fell away toward the finish leaving Corrandulla and Harleigh March out dn their own. Sharivari, not altogether happy in the heavy ground, did well for third. He was clear of Kastrup.