Prince Kumai favoured

Press, 30 September 1988, Page 31

Prince Kumai favoured

It will be no surprise to see Prince Kumai as an odds-on favourite for the Real Estate Handicap at Riccarton today but a real shock if he fails to justify that favouritism. In theory, at least, the stoutly bred grey has little to fear. As a Melbourne Cup prospect, he can be expected to carry the 55kg allotted to him comfortably and in a small field should be able to adopt the tactics of racing handy and applying the pressure in the run home which served him so well in the Ashburton Cup two starts back. He adopted similar designs on victory at his home track at Wingatui subsequently and notched another easy win and one also at odds on. Prince Kumai has only had one blemish on his impressive record this season and that came, ironically perhaps, in an 1800 m race at Riccarton, the distance of today’s contest. He could only manage fourth in the Eastwood Lodge Handicap on the final day of the National meeting after settling

further off the pace than usual. Dester, today’s lightweight upsetter, was the winner then. Prince Kumai is bound for the Mitchelson Cup at Ellerslie on October 15, the race which could enable him to qualify outright for the Melbourne Cup by placing in a race over further than 2300 m. It will be a surprise if he hiccups on the way to that assignment here. If he does, there are many chances in a small field but Robinski will be poised if the event turns into a sprint home and Polacca and Eye Full should also be handy. Bright Prelude and Palatable Prime form a likely combination in the second leg, the Hagley Handicap, another small field but one not lackin betting interest. Alberjon, Peach Melba, Exchequer and Hypatia are all resuming and should sprint ably fresh but the other pairs liking for Riccarton should stand to their favour.