RACING Mid Ocean has good chance at Kumara

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33739, 11 January 1975, Page 8

RACING Mid Ocean has good chance at Kumara

The scratching of two of the form runners in the field should make it a little easier for the consistent Riccarton mare, Mid Ocean, to notch the second win of her career, in the Arthur Clouston Handicap at Kumara today.

However, even with the defection of Greek Prince and Horatius, a useful field will contest the 2000-metre event for class three and four horses.

Mid Ocean had a frustrating run of minor places in maiden class earlier this season, but made no mistakes when she finally graduated, winning by seven lengths in the hands of Bill Skelton at Greymouth. This was followed by a good fifth over 1400 m at Riccarton, where the Mellay mare ran on strongly from the middle of the field. In her last start, at Kurow, she lost her rider shortly after the start when well supported. Tomorrow’s distance should suit the four-year-old well, and she promises to be hard to beat. Max Skelton will have the mount. The strongest oppostion will probably come for the former North Islander, Ruling Nector, which has had a first and a second in his last two starts, the latter being behind Smart Senator at Reefton on Wednesday. The consistent Luck, Chapala, and Yarmont, a runaway maiden wmner at Kurow, will also come in for their share of support. FOUR FORM RUNNERS The McCallum Memorial Handicap, the other race on the programme for class three and four horses, will see the clash of four form

runners in Extra Grace, Buzzin Along, Smart Senator and Robanna.

Extra Grace was a good second to Greek Prince on the first day of the Greymouth meeting in late November, and followed this with a useful fourth over 2000 m on the second day. Ruzzin Along was a con-

vincing winner over 1400 m at Greymouth, and flashed home for third over the same distance at Kurow last Saturday. He will appreciate the extra 200 metres today. Smart Senator won well at Reefton on Wednwsday, and the Mellay filly, Robanna, has been performing honestly without much luck.