Balmerino faces stiff task today

Press, 31 May 1977, Page 33

Balmerino faces stiff task today

NZPA-Reuter Los Angeles British, Australian and New Zealand horses wall compete today in a wide-open SLS2OO.OOO Hollywood Park Invitation Handicap.

The French-trained American-owner four-year-old, Properantes, was slightly ahead in the betting yesterday, but the New Zealand champion, Balmerino, was tipped to score a possible upset. A battle raged throughout the week between a number of trainers to try to get the “star” jockey, Willie Shoemaker, for the race. Shoemaker, with a total of 7223 wins to his credit, carried out a tactical ride to bring Dahlia to victory in last year's Invitational. Shoemaker was sought for the Australian champion, Taras Bulba. But because it was thought the American jockey might have to ride Forego in the New York Metropolitan Handicap today, he was finally dropped and Panamanian, Ruben Hernandez, was picked tn his place. Balmerino, as usual, will be ridden by the Awapuni jockey, Maurice Campbell. The British horse in the 12-horse field is Anne’s Pretender, owned by a London financier. Sir Charles Clore. The field is:— 12.30 p.m. (N.Z. time).— HOLLYWOOD PARK INVITATIONAL HANDICAP $200,000; 2400 m. 112 PROPERANTES (11). Won

13$ CAUCASUS (»). One of the top grass horses in the United States last year. Won SIOO,OOO San Luis Key Stakes at San Anita on March 20 before third to Properantes and Top Crowd in San Juan Capistrano and fifth in Century Handicap. Top-weight in the Century and again here. Second in last year’s invitational. 11l BALMERINO (4). Champion New Zealand-bred making American debut. Comfortable winner at last three starts in New Zealand, all over 2000 m, at Auckland on March 5. Manawatu, March 26, and Hawke’s Bay April 23. 215 TARAS BULBA (10). Won a minor race at Hollywood Park on April 24. followed by fifth in the South Bay Handicap at Hollywood Park on May 18 to No Turning. Was pulled out of the Century to concentrate on this. 162 ANNOUNCER (5). Won SIOO,OOO Golden Gate Handicap in San Francisco before sixth in Century Handicap and second in Lakeside Handicap at Hollywood Park on May 15. 532 EFFERVESCING (7). Third In the Century Handicap to Anne’s Pretender and Properantes. second in the South Bay Handicap to No Turning, but finished ahead of Taras Bulba. Still without a win this season. 11l NO TURNING (12). Wins at last three starts here but meeting toughest field to date. Won South Bay Handicap by a length and a quarter from Effervescing here on May 18.

$lOO,OOO San Juan Capistrano at San Anita on April 10. Second in the Century Handicap at Hollywood Park on May 1. 421 ANNE'S PRETENDER (4). Beat Properantes by a length in the Century Handicap Hollywood, at last start on May 1. Was a stakes winner in England and France in previous years

114 TODAY 'N TOMORROW (2). Won San Bernadino Handicap at San Anita and Inglewood Handicap at Hollywood Park before fourth in Century Handicap behind Anne’s Pretender, Properantes and Effervescing. Excels over long distances but must still prove himself with top company at cup distances. 328 TOP CROWD (8). Third St Luis Key behind Caucasus on March 20. second to Properantes San Juan Capistrano April 10, and eighth in Century Handicap at Hollywood Park May 1. Consistent place getter. 321 VIGORS (3). Placed behind Announcer in Golden Gate Handicap in San Francisco before minor victory in Rolling Green Handicap on May 7. In much tougher company here but has been running consistently. 153 BYNODE RM (1). Frenchbred five-year-old. Last start third in Lakeside Handicap. Beaten home by Announcer. Others look classier.