Saltan Regarded Cup Prospect

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31005, 10 March 1966, Page 4

Saltan Regarded Cup Prospect

[From the Australian correspondent of “The Press.”] SYDNEY. There was a time when horses owned by Michael Moodabe, the New Zealand picture theatre magnate, were a big force in racing in Sydney. Trained by M. McCarten, they notched many important wins; in fact scarcely a carnival went by without the Moodabe colours being in the winner’s stall. Now it is only occasionally that they are seen and T. J. Smith is the trainer. On Saturday at Warwick Farm, Mr Moodabe was represented by a winner, Saltan, a five-year-old by Pride of Kildare from Mokoio. But this time he is in partnership with a former bookmaker, T. Powell, a regular patron of the Smith stable. Saltan had won three hack races in New Zealand, but had been unplaced at his last five starts there, the last of them early in December. On Saturday Saltan raced away to an impressive two-

length win from Patient Polly, with another New Zealandbred, Able Sal, a close third. The race was run at one mile, and Saltan was handy all the way. But the ease by which he streaked away in the last furlong surprised even Smith who said: “He was a hack horse and not outstanding even in that class, but today’s run makes it look as though he is a Sydney Cup prospect.” It may turn out that way, too, for Smith’s judgment is often sound. By the time the big race comes round probably another runner in Saturday’s race from the Smith stable will be preferred. This is Pyramus, a young stayer by Agricola, which has had three runs in sprints since he was brought back to training and is now taking on the Smith polish. As Three-year-olds Round about this time last season it was conclusive that there was an outstanding crop of two-year-olds, and that their racing as three-year-olds

would be full of interest. So it has turned out, and the three-year-old stars of last autumn are again centre stage, with the exception of the Sydney filly, Reisling, which has not made a return to form. Citius won the Lightning Stakes at Flemington and the Oakleigh Plate, and with a 51b penalty has excellent prospects of sweeping the board by winning the Newmarket Handicap. Midlander is the three-year-old stayer of the moment and is the logical favourite for the Sydney Cup. Star Affair is back to his best again, and on Saturday created a record for a three-year-old by winning the Futurity Stakes with 9-12, which is 51b more than any other three-year-old has carried to success. In Brisbane, Eye Liner won again, bringing her record to 11 wins from 12 starts and she is to tackle the Doncaster Handicap at Randwick in which she is handicapped at 8-1, or 71b less than Citius,

which was third to her in the memorable Champagne Stakes of last autumn.