AUSTRALIAN TURF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 206, 1 September 1936, Page 14

AUSTRALIAN TURF.

BACKED FOR £10,000. CUDDLE AND EGMONT. A.J.C. SPRING DOUBLE. The stablemates Cuddle and Egmont were backed to win £10,000 last Friday for the Epsom-Metropolitan double, and the commissioners were prepared to go 011 with the work at a satisfactory price. The result was that Cuddle's Epsom price shortened a couple of points, and she joined Painelus in the first line of favouritism. Cuddle's owner, Mr. R. J. Murphy, is still in New Zealand, and no definite announcement has yet been made about Cuddle's spring mission, but the support seemed to have a genuine ring about it (says a Sydney writer).

Cuddle ik an entrant for all the big spring handicaps in Sydney and Melbourne, and although it lias been realised that she will probably tackle two important events, there lias been a lot of doubt about her first mission. Willi 9.12 Cuddle is equal topweight with Silver Ring in the Epsom, and if she wins she will have to be ranked with the best mares that have raced in Australia. It is 30 years since a mare has won the Epsom, the last being Maximize in 1906, and she carried only 7.7. The highest weight that a mare has ever carried successfully in the race is Djiii Djin's 8.9 in 1899. The latest order of favouritism on the A.J.C. double is:—

Epsom Handicap.—Pamelus, Cuddle; Cabalist, Charles Fox, Silver Jubilee; Cereza, High, Heritor, Panax, Silver Ring, Sarcherie; Biniilla, Barak, Capris, Egmont, Gay Sheik, Gay Lover, Gay Blonde, Heroic Faith, Ivinnoull, Prittle Prattle, Queen of Song, Regular Bachelor, Silver Streak, Windbird, The Maine. Metropolitan Handicap. — Egmont; Allunga, Wykehanj; Kinnoull; Contact, High Cross, Loud Applause, Pamelus, Royal Messenger, Sporting Blood, Sylvandale, Salamander, Sarcherie, Silver Ring, Young Crusader. NEW ZEALAND SUCCESS. VICTORY FOR GOLDEN TREASURE.

New Zealand owner-trainer H. E. Russell lias had no luck with Mala, but Golden Treasure assisted to pay some of his expenses by winning the Rosebery Handicap on August 19 in good style from Vaalmore and Irving. The bookmakers opened Golden Treasure favourite, but he eased slightly at flagfall, as a result of the strong demand for Vaalmore. Irving's jockey was evidently instructed to do the pacemaking, as lie shot the chestnut away with a good lead seven furlongs from home. Between the five and four furlongs pole Vaalmore's jockey became anxious, and rode his mount hard to decrease the gap. Cook, on Golden Treasure, was awake to the move, and wisely allowed the country jockey to do the "bullocking" on Vaalmore. Turning for home Irving was slightly ahead of Vaalmore, while Golden Treasure, on the outside, was going so well that he was proclaimed a winner. Over the last furlong Golden Treasure came away "to score by two lengths from Vaalmore, with Irving one length and a half away. A.J.C. DERBY ASPIRANTS. FAILURE OF GUSTOS. Aspirants for the A.J.C. Derby provided an exciting finish in the first division of the Cape Solander Handicap at Rosebery on Saturday, August 22. Displaying pace .and stamina,, Tonga, Champagne Stakes winner, had a narrow win over Shakespeare and Bobby. Grand Boy was a close fourth, the horses' flashing past the,judge almost in line. The enterprise of the "Rosebery Cl,ub in including the race with a 9.0 minimum in its spring programme had its reward. Most of the leading Sydney three-year-olds and the outstanding New Zealand colt Custos were attracted. Almost a last-minute dash was made by the New Zealand jockey A. E. Ellis to ride Custos. He arrived from New Zealand that morniflg, and liacl to secure the necessary clearances to fulfil the engagement. Contrary -to expectations, Tonga was not favourite. The Randwick trainer G. Price was represented by Ilium and Grand Boy. The latter was all the rage. He had won four races in succession last season, and the demand for him caused several of the others to recede in 'the market," among them being Custos, who . Jiarderied again. Custos was the centre of attention in the parade in the enclosure. 1 He is a good,,sqlid colt of style, with white markings. He was not altogether at home, and in the race was inclined to lug out. Tonga won nicely, while Custos, who was about sixth, was stretching out at the right end. He was somewhat astray on the course. F. D. Jones, his trainer, stated that lie was disappointed with Custos' finishing effort. . ' FELDSPAR INJURED. (Received 11 a.m.) - MELBOURNE, this day. Feldspar, winner of the Victoria Derby last year, was withdrawn from all spring engagements owing to a leg injury. Feldspar is the second important spring candidate owned by Mr. A. Creswick and trained by Lou Robertson to break down during a preparation. Garrio broke down last week.