MAC’S PRIDE DESERVES VICTORY

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32459, 20 November 1970, Page 8 (Supplement)

MAC’S PRIDE DESERVES VICTORY

“The Preus" Special Service AUCKLAND. Good luck in the running is likely to be a vital requirement for success in the Thomas Handicap, the first leg of the T.A.B concession double at Dargaville today. In this case the way seems clear for the noted f ront-runner, Mac’s Pride, to gain an overdue win.

Unless there is a big number of scratchings the field will be uncomfortably large. Dargaville is a reasonably roomy course but in the run to the home turn there is invariably crowding. Those not well placed at this point have problems. Mac’s Pride, an eight-year-old which does most of his fast work at Ellerslie, has not won since the Whangarei Handicap 13 months ago. In his previous start he had

shared first with Forebrace in the Mitchelson Cup. Three starts back in this present campaign he went close to winning when he was an unlucky second, a head from Miss Defence at Stratford. In his latest attempt the Alison Cup at Ellerslie a fortnight ago, he came fifth in a blanket finish. - In view of Mac’s Pride’s loss of form earlier this year his owner-trainer, Mr M. D. McGrath, was of a mind to i retire him from racing.

What tempted him to keep him going was the knowledge that Mac’s Pride raced better in the spring than any other time. This will be one of the last chances for the gelding to recoup the cost of keeping him in training. One of the hardest for Mac’s Pride to beat should be Pacific Prince, which has a first and two seconds to his credit in similar events at Dargaville. Pacific Prince finished strongly for second in a highweight at Te Rapa last week under 10.7. This time he has

8.4, a pound more than Mac’s Pride. Te Moa and Master Simon are Takanini four-year-olds worth consideration. Te Moa is fresh from hack class but looks as though he will cope with this company. Master Simon is better than his latest showings might indicate. Supreme Miss, Mr Hing and Salima should fight out the second leg. the Clune Handicap. Mr Hing has been in wonderful form these last few weeks—at Ellerslie, Trentham and Avondale.