Higgins worried about Kingston Town
!ZPA Melbourne The champion jockey, Roy Higgins, admits ne is worried about Kingston Town in the $205,000 Caulfield Cup (2400 m “Kingston Town has a lot of problems but is too good a horse to take lightly,’’ he said.
Higgins, who opposes the Sydney champion on Riccarton’s My Brown Jug in the cup, has a first-hand knowledge of his ability as he rode Kingston Town in the Victorian Derby last November. ; / ■
To say the least, Kingston Town was unlucky but showed Higgins he can handle the Melbourne way of going at Flemington. “Before he was checked at the 800 m he was galloping perfectly,” Higgins recalled. “Then he pulled a shoe and broke half his hoof when he struck trouble.”
Kingston Town still ran Big Print to a photo finish. However Higgins has his doubts about the “King” at Caulfield. “After all he has had three attempts at the track and failed each time,” he said. “I could see after going 100 yards last Saturday he wasn’t happy and was trying to lead with his wrong leg.” Will different riding tactics in the Caulfield Cup suit Kingston Town? “Maybe the previous experience will benefit him but I don’t think the faster pace in the Caulfield Cup will help,” he replied. * “It was a slow tempo in last Saturday’s race and I’d say they ran their first half niile in 52, which gave Malcolm Johnston a chance to help him into each corner. “Wherever Malcolm has him this time it will be tougher.”
Before Kingston Town was announced as a likely starter, the jockey had a short list of cup prospects that could beat My Brown Jug. “Take Hyperno, Amarla and Waitangirua out of the race and it's only an ordinary handicap,” he said. “So how can you wipe a horse like King.ton Town — lam not.” The trainer. Tommy Smith, rates Kingston Town an outstanding bet at 4-to-l for the Caulfield Cup if the weather remains fine. “I’ll be having my own on at that price,” Smith said in the t blazing sunshine at Flemington on Thursday. “Kingston Town would be at even money if the race was run in Sydney.
“I don’t think he’s as good here but he’ll prove too classy for them on a good track in the cup.”
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Press, 18 October 1980, Page 21
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386Higgins worried about Kingston Town Press, 18 October 1980, Page 21
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