M.B.J. ties for first

Press, 26 September 1980, Page 1 (Supplement)

M.B.J. ties for first

NZPA Melbourne My Brown Jug turned in his best Australian performance to date to dead-heat for first with Waitangirua in the $30,000 Underwood Stakes (2000 m at Caulfield, yesterday.

My Brown Jug had appeared beaten by Waitangirua with about 50:n to go but his new jockey, Roy Higgins, managed to’ urge the horse to fight back for the dead-heat.

Third, a- length further back, was last year’s Melbourne Cup winner. Hypemo. Higgins and My Brown Jug made their run on the turn into the home straight with about 450 m to go when the colt came on the outside to tackle the pacesetter, How Fast. The New Zealand-bred Waitangirua (Retained 11Phase) went with them and they battled neck and neck up the straight.

The Riccarton coif was expected to regain favours • itism for next month’s Caulfield Cup after yesteri dav’s run.

The other main New Zealand contender. Our Epilogue. ridden by Bob Skelton, was a disappointment, finishing well back after [being up with the leaders with about 650 m to go. The New Zealand-bred Torbek ridden by the Nevi Zealand jockey, Maurice Campbell, continued his grinning way in the $103,750 Marlboro Cup (1400 m The Palm Beach gelding, which finished half a length clear of Countess Marizza, equalled the race record of : 1 min 22.85.

Third, a length further back, was Watney. The Marlboro Cup was the first- leg of the $50,000 triple crown, the other two races being the 575.000 Toorak Handicap (1600 m and the $205,000 Caulfield Cup (2400 m

UNDERWOOD STAKES About 2000 m. MY BROWN JUG 57 R. Higgins 1

WAITANGIRUA 59 Ai. Johnston ? HYPERNO 59 H. White 3 >■ Dead-beat for first. Others in finishing order: Ho-.* Fast. iVarri Symbol, Regimental Honour. Big Print, Brava Jeannie. Arwon. flashing Light, Our Epilogue. Rang Again. Bohemian ' Grove. Dead-heat. len. Time: 2:02. .