Chance for Oopik tomorrow

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33665, 15 October 1974, Page 8

Chance for Oopik tomorrow

(New Zealand Press Association) MELBOURNE. Oopik will definitely run in the Caulfield Cup if he wins the Coongy Handicap at Caulfield tomorrow.

E. J. Didham. who sent the stayer over a great l«0Um on the track yesterday morning, i scotched all rumours about Oopik’s connections being “not ' keen’’ about the Caulfield Cup. ij "They want to run Oopik all- / right. And he’s got a great winijning chance.” Didham said, ti Didham will ride Oopik in the 1 Cup if the horse gets in the ; field. A Coongy win would make Oopik a curtain qualifier. Oopik was scratched from the Caulfield Slakes on Saturday. The

e; official reason was the state of n the track did not suit him. Didham also has the offer of it the Caulfield Cup ride on Igloo, >t'Which returned to form on Saturday. I- ‘‘Oopik is my first choice but I i- wodld like T. J. Smith. Igloo’s trainer to keep the mounr open eifor me until tomorrow Didham e' said. Smith said he would discuss e the matter with Didham when he arrived in .Melbourne. e ”1 don’t like this waiting busiejness. You can finish up without “ia good jockey,” the top trainer 1 said. Turfcutter. Oopik’s New Zealand rival, had his first workout at FleiAington yesterday. Volleyball.—The United States women’s team squeezed to a narrow yictory over France in the first round of the world volleyball championship at 1 Guadalajara. The Americans won t 15-10, 17-15, 7-15 15-7. -I I Go-karts.—R. Patrese (Italy), 3 won the world go-kart championship in Estoril. Portugal. E.l Cheever fltaly), was second. F. Goldstein, of Belgium, the world] < champion from 1969 to 1972, was; j third.