Trial for Balmerino

Press, 19 October 1976, Page 29

Trial for Balmerino

NZPA Melbourne. A decision will ne made todaj about the future ot Balmerino He will gallop 2000 m with Shaitan before his trainer. Brian Smith decides whether to accept for the W. S. Cox Plate and Mel bourne Cup Smith arrived Horn New Zea land late on Sunda> night and yesterday saw Balmerino for the first time since the champion missed a place in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield "I’m here to clean up the final details,” Smith said, ‘u’m in a tough situation. I have to do the right thing for the horse, the owner and the public. "I’ll admit Balmerino has fallen away badly behind. It’s the pain making him lose weight from the scientic nerve trouble. But otherwise he’s fit. I’ll be guided on how he runs home the last 600 m today.’’ Smith said. "I’ll know by that, and then I’ll decide whether to pay up in the Cox Plate and the Cup.” Smith appeared pessimistic about the outcome of the gallop, and trackmen say they will be surprised if he pays up at second declarations for the Melbourne Cup today. But he could decide to give' the horse another chance in the, Cox Plate Smith desperately wanted to| give the horse a trial at Moonee PENALISED The New Zealand stayer. Van der Hum, has been penalised 1.5 kg for the $155,600 Melbourne Cup Van der Hum got the extra weight for winning the Herbert Power Handicap and four other races since weights were issued for the Melbourne Cup With the added weight Van der Hum will now carry 54.5 kg in the Melbourne Cud

.1 Valley but the M V.R C will not * stage its usual Cox Plate trials I this year. Tlie club is still racing against I time to have the course appoint, i ineiits constructed for the reopening of the track on Saturdax. Bart Cummings wants to start I Aehbah in the Cox Plate, but his - chances are remote I 1 Asbbah's record does not enH title him to being left in th* i field in preference to othei betI ter performed horses The M.V.R.C, reserves the right to select the Cox Plate field, and i only the proven horses will get • a crack at the $125,000 weight for- . age prize. i