Balmerino back in business

Press, 24 February 1977, Page 20

Balmerino back in business

From J. J. BOYLE > Te Rapa Balmerino came back into; racing brilliantly with a close second in the starstudded field at the Waikato Royal meeting yesterday. In his first start since the spring last season’s champion three-year-old showed the worthiness of his position as early favourite for the Sydney Cup at Easter.

. Balmerino just went under yesterday to a brilliant chaiHenge from Soliloquy which ■ I was completing a rich double for the dav for the powerful Verner stable. , Good Lord’s stablemate was last from the starting gate but ran the race of her life to snatch a half-head victory. This was Soliloquy’s fourth successive win for Messrs R. E. and R. W. E. Moore.

Soliloquy was sired by the champion New Zealand-bred stallion, Sobig. Her dam, Princess Patine, was got by Pakistan 11, another source of brilliant speed, and descends from Ann Acre, a producer which helped to establish the fame of the Trelawney Stud at Cambridge. Ray Verner, the highly skilful trainer of Soliloquy, did not have to take a long look back into history for another famous stable double.

Good Lord and Blue Blood won the Wellington CupTelegraph double in January. Blue Blood was in the line-up against Soliloquy yesterday but a disappointing, weakening ninth, after being given every possible chance. An even greater disappointment was the champion three-year-old filly, La Mer. i She was backed down to ] odds-on in a great flood of I off-course wagering but came lin a struggling sixth, failing to make any headway in the final 200 m. La Mer finished close behind the South Island’s lone runner. Grey Way, which had his chance in a trailing position but lacked the vital acceleration for victory in this company at 1400 m. I Battle Eve. one of New [Zealand's most talented race 'mares, came up with one of I her best runs for third, little i more than half a length from j the winner. She was unchallenged for that position.