A.J.C. DERBY TODAY

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33965, 4 October 1975, Page 8

A.J.C. DERBY TODAY

N.Z.-breds top chances (N.Z.P.A. Staff Crspdt) SYDNEY. New Zealand-bred three-year-olds have won 11 of the last 14 A.J.C, derbys, and they seem certain to add to that record at Randwick today. Battle Sign, Rafique, and Gold Pulse, all bred in New Zealand, appear to have the race between them, and no other horses feature in selections for the $100,500 classic. Gold Pulse is still a maiden, but this should be no bar to a win. His trainer, Tom Smith, has taken the race before with maiden performers. Battle Sign has scored two wins, two seconds, a third and a seventh in his six starts since coming to Australia from New Zealand in February. His young trainer, Terry Millard, is new to top derbys, but his recent wins at Caulfield and Rosehill indicate that 'Battle Sign is a high-class colt. Rafique has scored two wins, a second, two thirds and a seventh for Bart Cummings in his six starts. He was a $40,000 buy at Trentham. No other horses are given much chance of upsetting the big three, and the Queenslander, Our Cavalier (14-to-l) is the only other runner at shorter odds than 33-to-l. Other New Zealand-breds in the field are Valadero, Good Bond, Waterloo, Kwasind and High Ground. EPSOM HANDICAP Martindale and Consider Me are the two New Zealand-breds In the second feature race at Randwick, the $100,500 Epsom Handicap (1600 m Cummings has a strong chance of winning this race for the first time, since he is fielding the first three favourites, Leica Show (7-to-2), Cap d’Antibes (4-to-l) and Kingston Rose (7-to-l), as well as Martindale. But big sprints in Australia are always close, with any of 15 horses having good chances. Rangitoto should win the $BOOO Spring Quality (2000 m if he is to confirm his favouritism for the $100,500 Metropolitan (2600 m at Randwick on Monday.