SOUTHLAND CUP HORSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26617, 13 November 1947, Page 5

SOUTHLAND CUP HORSES

PLANS FOR SALMON SPEAR UNDECIDED Special to the Daily Times INVERCARGILL, Nov. 12. F. W. Ellis will decide at the week-end as to the Riccarton programme of Eriskay and Salmon Spear, both of which will make the trip, however. Present intentions are that Eriskay should take her place in the Cup field, and, with 7.0 on her back, she will be a light-weight possibility. She is a fine stayer and she is right at the top of her form. It is possible that Salmon Spear will not be asked to contest the Cup. There is nothing wrong with his condition, but on paper he appears to be held safe by Signal Officer. Salmon Spear will contest the Southland Handicap over 10 furlongs on Saturday, in which he has been raised to 9.2. He receives 71b from the top-weight, Lord Dundonald, who, however, receives lib from Salmon Spear in the Cup race. Salmon Spear at 7.10 has his full share of weight in the Cup, particularly as he is required to give both Palm Bearer and Lord Dundonald, who have won up to a mile and a-half, lib. Signal Officer took no harm from his hard race at Winton, and R. E. McLellan will take him through to Riccarton on Monday. R. J. Mackie will ride him in the Cup. McLellan will also take

Pageantry, a winner at Winton and a useful staying hack. Desert Girl will also go north on Monday. She is in great order, and H. N. Wiggins has been offered the mount on her in the Stewards', even if he has to ride a few pounds over. Some interest will be shown in the reappearance of Special Flight at the Southland meeting on Saturday. Although she has yet to appear in open company, she will be an interesting Stewards’ candidate. In her last appearance, at the Grand National meeting, she won a hack sprint over seven furlongs with 10.1. There is not the slightest doubt about her class, and she is credited with having made good progress since being taken up by A. E Didham.