Oopik wins Sydney Cup

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34132, 20 April 1976, Page 9

Oopik wins Sydney Cup

(N.Z. Press Association* SYDNEY. The outstanding New Zealand stayer, Oopik, which cost his owner, a Hamilton farmer. Mr Don Wilson, only $llOO as a yearling, put up an outstanding performance to win the $125,000 Sydney Cup over 3200 m at Randwick yesterday. Ridden to perfection by his regular jockey, Roger Lang, Oopik finished brilliantly to beat Taras Bulba, an 11 to 2 chance, by half a length. Oopik was always first pick with punters in Australia and he firmed from 11/4 to 2/1 favourite. However, his supporters had manv anxious moments when it appeared that Kevin Langby on Taras Bulba had stolen the cup.

Rounding the turn Taras Bulba was at least five lengths in front of Oopik which didn’t appear to have much chance. When Lang cut Oopik loose with 200 m to go he set out after Taras Bulba but only caught him with 30m to go. A five-year-old, Oopik is by Saint Puckle out of Lady Venice. Trainer. Dave O’Sullivan, said that Oopik would run in the $20,150 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2400 m at Randwick before returning to New Zealand. Trainer Tommy Smith also hopes to saddle up Taras Bulba in a “return bout” with Oopik next Saturday. Oopik won $87,000 for the run. plus a trophy valued at $5200, and it took his record to 11 wins, three seconds and a third from 38 starts.

Taras Bulba won $22,500 for second, taking liis record winnings to over $311,000 from 30 races. He is a four-year-old gelding by Oncidium from Entrancing Bell and is trained by T. J. (Tom) Smith at Randwick. Result:— 2/5 OOP IK (1) R. Lang 1 4/3 TARAS BULBA (3) K. Langby 2 5/2 TOM'S MATE (8) N. Campton 3 Also started: 6/6 Battle Heights, 3/4 Analight, 8/7 Participation, 11/11 Gay Master, 10/10 Consider Me, 15/13 Joueur, 1/1 Donna Paree, 16/16 Hot Ray, 12/12 Major Battle, 9/9 San Michele, 17/17 Diuska, 7/8 Woolaway, 14/14 Offhand, 13/13 Lazy Pat. Win: $5.60. Places: $3.00. $2.85, $2.35.