Golden Slipper entries

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32564, 25 March 1971, Page 8

Golden Slipper entries

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent) SYDNEY. The New Zealandbred Ardros will be a surprise runner in the $52,000 Golden Slipper Stakes a Rosehill on Saturday. The Melbourne two-year-old, accompanied by his stablemate, Abdul, was to have arrived in Sydney by plane yesterday. Andros (Sovereign EditionMeanda) earned a trip to Sydney with an impressive win at Moonee Valley on Saturday but after the race the trainer, G. Murphy, said Andros would start in either the Champagne Stakes or Sire’s Produce at Randwick at Easter and made no mention of the Golden Slipper. However, the final acceptance fee for Andros in Saturday’s rich six furlongs event was paid yesterday. Murphy said the gelding had done so well after Saturday’s race that he had de-

.cided to change plans and run Andros in the Slipper. Under the terms of the Slipper, Andros becomes the fourth qualifier. His win at Moonee Valley—his third success—lifted his stake eamings to $10,320 and places him behind Tolerance, $37,000, Captain Hayes, $16,295 and Regal Gauntlet, $ll,llO. Andros is expected to be ridden in the Slipper either by the Sydney apprentice, G. Shinn, or the Melboum jockey, P. Jarman. Andros has firmed from 20-1 to 12-1 after the news that he will be a runner. The presence of Andros in the field will give the New Zealand sire, Soverign Edition, two runners in the Slipper. The T. J. Smith-trained Royal Charger (Sovereign Edition-El Monte) is another certain starter and he is also at 12-1. Royal Charger is fifth on the list of qualifiers behind Andros. Sydney Turf Club officials consider they will have to conduct two ballots at final acceptances to decide the composition of the field. The first will be to reduce the field to safety limit of 16 horses find the second to determine the four emergencies. At the moment seven horses are expected to contest the ballot to decide the emergencies. One of these is the Christchurch-owned Prince Mellay. On present indications the field will be: Tolerance, Captain Hayes, Regal Gauntlet, Magnus, Andros, Royal Charger, Beau Rouge, Royal Intent, Nippon, Customs House, My Amazon, Fairy Walk, Finest Jade, I’m a Beaut, Sockerino and Swiftly Joy. The owner of Prince Mellay, Mr H. Kendall, who has

i been home on a brief visit left again on Monday for Sydney to see the Golden Slipper run. Prince Mellay has raced three times in Sydney and has registered a third. While some Australian opinions give the two-year-old a chance, his more immediate connections would prefer to see the distance seven furlongs instead of six. Prince Mellay is trained by J. J. Hogan, Kingsford, holder of a No. 2 licence.