N.Z. horses to fore in Melbourne

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32861, 9 March 1972, Page 9

N.Z. horses to fore in Melbourne

Naw Zealand horses held much of the limelight at Caulfield, Melbourne, last Saturday, when no fewer than four New Zealand-brods were suecostful. Hampton’s Pride, at odds on, won by the barest margin in the prestige three-year-old event, the Stanley Plate, over a mile and a quarter, taking, bls number of successive wins to four. Zambari (Pakistan—Cyfort), from T. J. Smith’s Randwick team, had an easy victory in the six-furlong Hawksbum Handicap, while Dark Suit, a five-year-old gelding by Follow Suit out of Fettercairn, improved greatly on his previous start at Werribee to win the Woodcliff Handicap, a mile and a half. Twelve months earlier he had won the corresponding race only to lose it on disqualification. The other winner was the two-year-old filly, Tymbal, bv Test Case out of Fyfe (the dam also of Abdul). She won the Teppo Stakes, six furlongs, foe fillies In Imin 11 4-ssec at the attractive odds of 86/1. Melbourne opinion seems divided about Hampton’s Pride.

Some rate him a rising champion, while others consider him only useful. Nevertheless his trainer, J. B. Cummings, has sent him to Sydney where he will have the benefit of right-handed racing before he is asked to contest the Australasian Champion Stakes at Randwick on April 1. He may race next at Rosehlll next week. Last Saturday, Hampton’s Pride just scrambled home from Persian Gamble. He appeared to have Persian Gamble well covered when he ran up to that horse half way down the straight, but Persian Gamble fought back strongly and backers of the favourite gave a roar of delight and relief when the number of Hampton’s Pride went into the winner’s frame. Zambari returned a first-class trial for the $30,000 Newmarket Handicap when he outsped his rivals over the concluding stages. He made light of his 9-3 and was ridden by H. White, who has won all three times he has ridden the gelding. Zambari will drop to 8-11 in the Newmarket, which will be i run on Saturday. White will have the mount again.