Plans for Oopik

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34123, 8 April 1976, Page 8

Plans for Oopik

(N.Z. Press Association) SYDNEY. Oopik has settled in well at Warwick Farm in Sydney after his flight from New Zealand, and worked easily on the sand track there yesterday. His trainer, Dave’ O’Sullivan, has returned to New Zealand, leaving the Sydney Cup prospect in the care of his jockey. Roger I.ang, who put Oopik through easy work yesterday. Lang said Oopik would open his second Australian campaign in the $5500 Warwick Farm Autumn Handicap 2400 m on Saturday, rather than take on the $lO,OOO Chipping Norton Stakes (2100 m at weiglit-for-age. Battle Heights, which will run in the Chipping Norton Stakes, was the only New Zealand visL tor to work hard yesterday. He ran 1600 m In Imin 47sec, covering the last 600 m in 40sec in good going on the grass at Warwick Farm. His main rival on Saturday will be Taras Bulba, which rah Imin 39.55ec for 1400 m in dead going at Randwick yesterday, covering the last 600 m in 39 ssec. Tom Smith said Taras Bulba had thrived during his threeweek rest and would be challenging Balmerino for +he Sidney Cup favouritism after the Chinning Norton Stakes. Taras Bulba dominated Svdney Cun betting until Balmerino brilliantly won Us first two races tn Svdney. The colt is now the 5/2 fagon-ite, with Taras Bulba at 9/Z and Oopik on the third line at 8/1.