ONCE AGAIN OUT OF IT

NZ Truth, Issue 1185, 16 August 1928, Page 13

ONCE AGAIN OUT OF IT

Success In Winter Gup Beyond The Favorite

Backing" favorites m the Winter Cup does not pay— -and again this year the first fancy got it m the neck.

T'HE last twelve years have only seen '•■*■ one favorite win the race — -that , was Le Choucas, which, coupled with, Nippy, won m 1926. This week the crowd sorted out Panther to win for them, but he let | them down badly and was well back at the finish. ' He was nicely placed when they settled down, but over on the far turn he went back with a jerk* Just whether there was interference or not, it is hard to say, but over the last half-mile Bert Morris was urging his mount on — with little success. He was just holding his own, not any headway, as he should have. . Another Trentham candidate, Royal Damon, was well m the boom, too, but was .nearer at the finish than at any other stage. V It was his great track work that ••■'•"■ . ■ ■ . /

brought him into public favor, but before the race he did • not look at all pleased with the business before him. In fact, his trainer, Gage-Wil-liams, told "N.Z. Truth" before the race that he thought the chestnut I was funking it. First Sight was third' favorite — and he also missed the money. Hq gave a little trouble at the post, but nothing to. talk about. When the tapes lifted, he failed to go away and was second to last to move. This was, of course, fatal to his chance — and he was finished, with there and then. • , ' ■■'-.•■■ \ Past history is so much against favorites that it is. strange' to see the crowd rushing m, but, of course, something has to be favorite— then, again, I punters are always' hoping against hope the favorite may turn up for them one day. .■ . . ,