Zebak should overcome bad draw at Oamaru

Press, 18 June 1976, Page 1 (Supplement)

Zebak should overcome bad draw at Oamaru

By

J. J. Boyle

A good case can be made for Zebak as likely winner of the Oamaru Winter Cup tomorrow. That, of course, carries the reservation that 1600 metres from a wide barrier position on the tricky Oamaru course is markedly different from 1400 metres at Riccarton. Zebak had both Butch (fourth) and William Brown (fifth) behind him when he ran second to the good West Coast sprinter Kowhai Glen over 1400 metres at the Hororata meeting at Riccarton last month. At Washdyke last Saturday Butch and William Brown put some gloss on that form from Riccarton by filling the; first two places in the first' leg of the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s T.A.B. double. The Washdyke race, like the Oamaru Winter Cup. was run over 1600 metres.

Zebak has done much of (his racing short of 1600 metires but, won over that disstance a three-year-old last I season, and was a good second behind Kauere Lad in the 'Canterbury Jockey Club’s August Handicap at the last (Grand National meeting. Zebak has sharp early speed, and before they go far Stuart Ching should have him in good position close to the pace, for which Mr Chisholm might be responsible. William Brown runs a good many of his races on good ground from a good way back, and, it is expected, will have to find his best finishing speed to triumph on a course more to the liking of

those able to take closer order. Maurice Jones, the Washdyke trainer of William Brown, will also put one of the top chances into the Ellerslie Handicap No. 1, second leg of the T.A.B. double.

Weight corrected.—The handicapper. Mr S. G. Tonka, has stated that King Aly, in the first division of the Pikuru Maiden at Te Awamutu on Saturday should have been weighted with 53.3 kg not 56.—Auckland.

After being away from racing since February, Royal View camo back on the scene encouragingly with a second to Brown Dod at Washdyke last Saturday. This Grey William gelding will again have Brown Dod lin opposition, and this pair 'might quinella the race. The one most likely to lake some gloss of latest form is the Rex Cochrane-trained Emcee.

Cochrane has made some rewarding visits to Oamaru iin the last 20 years, and Emcee might improve that good record if he immediately ’finds the good form that gave him two wins and three seconds in as many starts on southern courses last spring.!