Spring Cracks Looking Bright

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 908, 27 February 1930, Page 14

Spring Cracks Looking Bright

TIDAL AND RAMULUS AFTER BIG A.J.C. DOUBLE J’reedom with which both Ramulud and Tidal have moved in early stages of their preparations *for the Doncaster and Sydney Cup lias undoubtedly raised stable hopes that they will atone for the disappointment for which their inability to race in the important spring events was responsible. But as neither horse has settled down to serious galloping it might be a little early to predict that they will safely come through the strenuous training necessary for a big handicap, says a Sydney writer. Only when Ramulus and Tidal commence "to move along at their top can any idea be gleaned of the possibilities of the injured legs standing the strain, and until they have something tangible on which to place hopes bigger punters are unlikely to invest on either. Ramulus has been given every opportunity to recover from the injury sustained in the Tramway Handicap when favourite for the Epsom. Tie might have run in the big race despite the trouble, but rather than risk the possibility of a complete breakdown, his owner, Mr. J. E. Brien, scratched him. Ramulus’s trainer, Price, did not risk sending him away from the stable, but kept him under personal supervision, with intermittent steady tasks at Randwick to prevent his putting on superfluous weight. The result is that Ramulus looks in great heart, and those closely connected with the stable are confident there will bo no recurrence of the trouble. Cup is M ission Judged from the finishing ability he showed in his spring races, the Australian Cup would have been a typical event for Tidal, and he was one of the early favourites. But Price did not relish the idea of rushing Tidal’s preparation, even though his weight, 7.10, must have proved a temptation, and concentration will now be made on the Sydney Cup. Tidal improved with every run in the spring, and it was bad luck for his connections that a breakdown in the Tatt’s Spring Handicap, prevented his taking advantage of his 7.2 in the Metropolitan. If, however, he continues that improvement, there is no saying what he might accomplish among the present somewhat mediocre handicap stayers. Price would no doubt appreciate rain to soften the tracks for the preparations of these two doubtful horses. But even without that help appearances do give foundation for the hope that each horse will atone for spring infirmities. GAY CREST SOLD The two good races by Cay Crest at Riccarton last Saturday impressed Dr. M. G. Louisson, who purchased him on Tuesday. Gay Crest will probably carry his new colours at Motukarara on Saturday.