Balmerino gets big weight

Press, 25 May 1977, Page 26

Balmerino gets big weight

NZPA Washington Balmerino has been given second top-weight of 1251 b for the $200,000 Invitational Turf Handicap (2400 m at Hollywood Park, next Tuesday. i The only runner which will i carry more is Caucasus, the 1975 I Irish St Leger winner, which I has been alloted 1261 b. j Brian Smith expressed some l surprise about Balmerino’s i weight. *‘We thought he'd get 1221 b but there’s no foundation really for i 125 for a horse which hasn’t raced here.” Smith noted that New Zealand-1 bred, Australian-owned Taras Bulba is in the field with 1221 b and said he was puzzled Balmerino had been given more weight than him. Taras Bulba, five by American standards and a year older than Balmerino, has been on the West Coast several months and has run three times for a win. a second and a fifth. The only time the two horses met, at Randwick. Sydney, at Easter last year. Taras Bulba beat Balmerino in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Smith said he didn’t think •

Balmerino should have got more than Taras Bulba, “there’s not a lot between them.” But Smith added: “We’re not growling about it although it will make his task in the race more difficult and by giving him this much they don't seem to be asking us to keep him here.” Meanwhile, Balmerino appears to have made a good transition from New Zealand. Smith said the horse is progressing well and causing him no problems.

Maurice Campbell gave the horse his first proper workout on Monday since his arrival .10 days ago.

Smith said he was pleased with the way Balmerino stretched out and the horse came home the last 800 m in 51sec.

Smith, who has been watching . a number of Balmerino’s likely opponents, said the American . horses are very fast. “It’s asking a lot of him to come straight from New Zealand and take on the best here in his first race. It’s a- big task but we’ll just have to wait and see how he fares. “I know he’s a great horse and there aren’t too many in his class.”