THEY'RE OFF (NEARLY)

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 190, 8 December 1941, Page 5

THEY'RE OFF (NEARLY)

ELECTION RACE TACTICS NEXT SATURDAY'S BUG GALLOP The two odds-on favourites lor the Bay of Plenty (Hie) Cup race en Saturday appear to have equal claims for tlie public's money, and it is hard to say whether Sawdust Bill or Doughboy Charlie will be first favourite when the tote closcs down and the balloon goes up. Supporters of the National horse just can't see how he can be beaten. On the other hand the connections of the Pale Pink stable say that Pete Fraser's Colt is another Phar Lap and will outstay the best of the opposition. The big race may resolve itself into a battle of tactics, with a great finish as Sawdust Bill and Doughboy Charlie gallop necft ancl neck up the Wliaka straight. Last season Sawdust' Bill was looked on as a good thing for this race, and lie flattered the hopes of his backers by leading all the way-until within a few lengths of the Whaka finishing post, where, he shied at thu" Paper Mills puffing billy. Will Sawdust Bill again try to win i'rcflii start to finish? He is a smart beginner, and may show a clean pair of heels to Doughboy Charlie as they race round the coast to the Opotiki six furlong post. The question is whether he can hold the lead if Doughboy Charlie puts in a strong finishing run coming through Whaka. Recent, track form suggests that Doughboy Charlie will be going Strongly over the last few furlongs, as his jockey will be using his special union whip. Trainer Nordmeyer is reputed to be preparing his candidate with a dew to going "health-for-leather" from the start, in which case the pace will be on all the w r a 3', and a; new race record for the course may be made. "I have had a health of a time getting Charlie ready for the cup,"' he said, "!but I have a lot of confidence in myself. Why look how I trained and rode Free Physic to victory in the BMA hurdle race."