TROTTING Royal Belmer wins but Cup start in doubt

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33061, 31 October 1972, Page 9

TROTTING Royal Belmer wins but Cup start in doubt

Royal Belmer earned New Zealand Cup ranking when she beat the favourite, Robalan, by a nose in a spirited finish to the Kaikoura Cup yesterday. However, a start in next Tuesday’s $40,000 New Zealand Cup is not certain. Although her trainer, J. W. Smolenski, said he thought he would pay up with her, a decision will be delayed until this morning.

“We never really! planned to start her in' the cup,” said Mr J. M. G. Osborne, of Christ- ■ church, who races the ■ five-year-old in partnership with Mr M. G. Vermeulen, of Rangiora, “She’s only young and hasn’t had much racing.” Royal Belmer hesitated at the start of yesterday’s race, as did Lightsey, the other runner handicapped on the limit. Royal Belmer recovered quickly, leading for the first two furlongs, after which she! gave way to Lightsey. There was some skirmish-; Ing at the start. Royal Ascot; broke, as did Sassenach.' which checked Globe Bay and ■ Rauka Lad. The first seven furlongs was very tame, with Lightsey and Royal Belmer being followed in single file by Royal Trump, Socttish Charm, Berkleigh, Robalan, Royal Ascot, Rauka Lad and Globe Bay, with Sassenach tailed off after a second tangle.

Rauka Lad began to improve with five furlongs left, but several others went with him, forcing him three wide. Lightsey was still in front racing to the straight where Royal Belmer, Royal Trump and Berkleigh were together next, with Scottish Charm and Robalan just behind them and Royal Ascot close by. Royal Belmer soon moved up to Lightsey, with Robalan closing on them, wide on the track. Royal Belmer lasted to win by a nose from Robalan, which lost no friends for his New Zealand Cup engagement in which he will start from the front instead of 18 yards. Lightsey held on well for third, half a length back, two lengths in front of Royal Ascot, another to finish in determined style.

Scottish Charm, which had every chance, was a length away fifth, a length and a half in front of Royal Trump, with the same margin to Berkleigh,

three lengths to Rauka Lad and a length to Globe Bay. The winner paced the 12 furlongs in 3:6 4-5, the last half-mile in 59 2-5. Te Kao qualified for the i 2:16 class races at the cup meeting with an easy win over the pacemaker, Royal ; Lee, in the Hotelkeepers’ 1

Handicap. M. Holmes got Te Koa away well and settled her behind Royal Lee and False Angel after two furlongs. She moved up on the home turn and mastered Royal Lee just inside the final furlong. She was not pressed to beat him by a length.

: Sudden, close up over the I last mile, held on for third, I a neck back, with a nose to Curragh’s Dream, which did : not secure a clear run in the I straight. Wee Gold tired to i fifth, shading Guy Hanover, : with a gap to False Angel, which broke at the three furlongs when fairly handy.