TIME THEORY

SOLABIO AND MANNA.

Solario's victory in the. St. Leger niakes the following of interest. Although the theory in some measure has been borne out by the later facts, there are some • phases of . the argument that are open to doubt: — :" There are few more interesting writers on breeding topics than Mr. F. Becker, who contributes to the "Lexing. ton Thoroughbred .Record," but when it. comes to the Bubjecf of time~in connection with races he is scarcely so happy. Discussing what is wise to learn and unlearn in respect of racing, he wrote as follows after Solario, in.receipt of 101b, beat Manna ai Ascot:— ■' ■

"I do not admit'any longer that the time in which a horse wins an important race may' serve as a pointer'for ascertaining his class and for comparing it with that of former winners. Manna won the Derby in 2min 40 ;3-sseb. He was not challenged in the last furlong, and Donoghue therefore had no reason to drive the colt and get him to produce a final outburst of speed. As matters turn out now, it becomes obvious —to me, at any rate—that Manna had in the Derby merely the advantage of fitness, but not of, class, and that he would have been beaten at Epsom had Solario been just as forward in condition and able to engnge Manna in a tug-of-war. In this, ease the Derby probably" would have been run in time bet?\veen 2min 3Ssec and 2min 36sec, and it is more than doubtful whether Manna would have won." i '

This drew the following comment from "Pilot" :— •■•■'■'■•,'

"The above statement is certainly'remarkable from an authority on racing. It is suggested that Solario, if in the same trim as at Ascot, would have made Manna put up 'at least ssec faster time to win the Derby. According tp^all accounts: the race was soundly run, Manna setting such a fast pace that the second horse finished approximately twenty-four, yards behind him. Yet, ac? cording to Mr. Becker's calculations— '■ allowing about sixteen yards a second—. ;Bolar'ioj' at his .best, would have, forced ■Manna to draw away another eighty yards from Zionist;in order to win. It would certainly, have been c remirkable light if two Hones had fought out the

Derby finish at least a hundred yards ahead of the remainder of the field."

Now comes the result of the St. Leger, Solario a good winner, and Manna beaten out of a place. '■' .■ :.