Alister, Favourite For V.R.C. Derby, Firms In Melbourne Cup Market
MELBOURNE, Oct. 30 (Rec. 7.5 pm).—After his impressive win in the W. S. Cox Plate on Saturday, Alister has firmed considerably in the market for the Melbourne Cup.
Alister is now second favourite behind Playboy, and the Moonee Valley Cup winner, Benvolo, and Chiquita are the most fancied of the others. Bhutan, who surprised by running third in the Cox Plate, has also firmed considerably. Victoria's leading jockey, J. Purtell. rode Alister In the Cox Plate, and immediately after the race was engaged to ride the coif in the Cup. He will undergo a special training course to try and reduce his weight to 7.8 and ride the colt 21b over. His usual riding weight is 7.10 or 7.11. Only four three year-olds have won the Cup with more than weight-for-age, 7.6. They are Newhaven (7.13), Prince Foote (7.8), Hall Mark (7.8), and Skipton (7.7). The New Zealand horse Bhutan, which caused his trainer Sam Pyper some anxiety during last week, pulled up well after his race. Bhutan’s next race will either be the L.K.S. Mackinnon Stakes or Hotham Handicap on Saturday. A decision will be made later in the week.
Bhutan has never tackled a twomile race, but at his last start in NewZealand he defeated Beaumaris over a mile and a-half at weight-for-age. m Martin, who rode him on Saturday, will have the mount next Saturday and probably in the Melbourne Cup. Benvolo, winner of the Moonee Valley Cup, has been penalised 31b for the ’Melbourne Cup. bringing his weight to 9.0. This is 71b more than he carried on Saturday. Most racegoers consider that the penalty is harsh as it is generally considered that the Melbourne Cup field is 101 b better than the Valley Cup. Mr W. W. Ryan, owner of Benvolo, states that despite the penalty Benvolo is a certain starter in the Cup. Benvolo received several cuts on the legs during the Valley Cup race, but they are only superficial and will not interfere with his preparation.
Matterhorn, which easily won the Greenvale Handicap on Saturday, will start in the Derby and will be ridden by Ron Hutchinson. The Derby, however, is generally regarded as a certainty for Alister.
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Wanganui Chronicle, 31 October 1950, Page 3
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375Alister, Favourite For V.R.C. Derby, Firms In Melbourne Cup Market Wanganui Chronicle, 31 October 1950, Page 3
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