Didham’s hopes rise for Cup victory

Press, 15 October 1982, Page 13

Didham’s hopes rise for Cup victory

NZPA Melbourne “Midge" Didham has confessed he had not been optimistic about bringing off the hat-trick of Caulfield Cups - "until about six o’clock on Tuesday night." Didham said he had all but conceded tomorrow’s $252,000 race to one of the trio of star three-year-olds Grosvenor. Veloso and Cossack Prince. That was before Wednesday night’s all important barrier draw, when the former New Zealand jockey's hopes of completing the Caulfield Cup treble in successive years were given new strength.

Didham has won the last two cups on Ming Dynasty in 1980 and Silver Bounty last year. It is Silver Bounty who he has again pinned his faith in this year.

The strong three-year-old contingent all fared badly in the ballot for starting posi-

tions, while Silver Bounty drew ideally at barrier six. "It was not so much that Silver Bounty drew well." Didham said yesterday. “He will be a good way back in the field anyway." “The younger horses have been brought back to the field a fair bit with their wide draws," he said. Both Didham and Silver Bounty will achieve rare feats 'should they take out the Caulfield Cup. Only two horses in the history of the race have won in successive years — Poseidon in 1906-07 and Rising Fast in 1954-55. No jockey since “Scobie" Breasley in the 19405, has ridden more than two successive cup winners. Didham said Silver Bounty did not have the same good form behind him as last year

but he added: “I don’t think the field is as strong as last year."