Testing time for Cup candidates

Press, 27 October 1982, Page 38

Testing time for Cup candidates

From

ALLAN BROWN

Melbourne

Three New Zealand horses — Nazman. Azaking and Focal Point, will be all out in

the Werribee Cup this afternoon to qualify for the Melbourne Cup.

One of the many conditions of the Melbourne Cup. several of them complex, is that entries of four-year-olds and upward, need to have fin-

ished in the first four over 2300 m or further in open company on a city track or have won a similar event in the country. The Werribee Cup is 2600 m but rated a country race, though carrying a stake of $50,000. so a win is required by any of the Melbourne Cup

entrants to qualify for a start next Tuesday. Horses in this afternoon's race with their places already secure in the Melbourne Cup field are Lancelotto, Dealer’s Choice, High Drifter. Warri Symbol, and Noble Comment. Old Magistrate, an Il-year-old from Morrinsville, has all the qualifications for a Melbourne Cup start except that for all his remarkable record — 15 wins and

$426,965 in stakes — he has so little, weight that he could

be in a ballot if one is required to reduce the field to the limit.

Magistrate was given only 49.5 kg in the Melbourne Cup. That is 10.5 kg less than

weight-for-age and in any ballot it might be necessary the oldest horses most below weight-for-age go out first.

Besides the three New Zealand runners. Sir Galahad, a New Zealandbred but Bart Cummingstrained four-year-old needs to win this one to stay in the Melbourne Cup field and it is generally expected that he will, or at least go very close. •

The likely favourite, though, is Lan'celotto. a New Zealand-bred (by Zamazaan) four-year-old in Tommy Smith's team. He was one of the Caulfield Cup failures, but finished second the previous time in the 2600 m Metropolitan at Randwick on October 4. Lancelotto already has a Melbourne Cup following. A good win this afternoon would promote him sharply in favouritism for the race.