CATTLE KING TRIES FOR FIFTH SUCCESSIVE WIN

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33626, 30 August 1974, Page 21 (Supplement)

CATTLE KING TRIES FOR FIFTH SUCCESSIVE WIN

(“The Press’* Special Service) AUCKLAND.

Cattle King, a four-year-old in fine form, is likely to repulse the challenges of three South Island horses and the others in the C. B. Clarke Memorial at Avondale tomorrow.

The outcome of the Sheriff Handicap, the second leg of the T.A.B. double, does not look as clear-cut.

The Sheriff Handicap att-l racted a wonderful field which has a long list of prospects. Prepak may be favourite if the ground is no worse than easy but is still likely to be at good eachway odds. Cattle King has won his last four races and looked a little better each time. In his last outing, at Ellerslie on August 14, he won six lengths from Cobland — a winner since — and Kutati, with Ballandine, Head Ruler and Pukepapa Lad, three of his rivals tomorrow, down the track. With 52|kg, Cattle King is about half-way down the handicap, and well placed to win again. Evidently he has taken no harm from his winter racing — his last four races have been spread over eight weeks — and could be (improving still.

The South Island gallopers are Ribaldo, Bel CalvalJo and Nip O'Scotch, all from Riccarton.

Ribaldo and Nip O'Scotch have been to Auckland

before, Ribaldo racing with

distinction at the 1972-73 Auckland Cup meeting. Though now an eight-year-old, he showed himself still capable of running boldly when fourth at Riccarton on August 10 in his fourth outing after an eight-month spell. A journey of 2200 m *on the roomy Avondale (course should suit hlti. admirably. Bel Cavallo's record suggests he is a genuine galloper, and he seems suited by most types of ground. Nip O'Scotch won at Riccarton two starts back and did not disgrace himself on a northern campaign last summer. Sakata and Head Ruler are tough, well-seasoned middle- . distance runners, each with a course and distance win to his credit, and Noel’s Pride (cotnmands attention as the (mount of D. A Peake In the (Sheriff Handicap Peake will j ride Prepak. which will be presuming racing after a six ■month break. She is top [(class and. while certain to jbe improved by the race, should be up to a dashing {effort while fresh ;| Soliloquy, a stablemate of tjPrepak's in R C. Verner's 'Hearn, is likely to have a big h following. having been one >'of the better two-’, ear-olds ■'of last autumn and having ’.had the benefit of a racr •this season