EASY WIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 219, 16 September 1939, Page 14

EASY WIN.

AJ AX AT CAULFIELD. THE MEMS IE STAKES. Ajax's winning margin in the Memeic Stake* was but two lengths and a halt', but actually it was one of the easiest wins of his career (says an Australian writer on September 2). He simply bowled along in front all the way. and IJnd«er really did not ask him to gallop until the straight was entered. Allowed to stride out then. Ajax, finishing very truly and not leaving the rails on this occasion, had no tromble in defeating El Union, with Ortelle's Star a moderate third.

Ajax holds the Caulfield record for a mile and- a furlong, 1,50%. To-day the nine furlongs took 1.58, and it was not until the half-mile wag reached that the paco was at all fast.

From the half-mile post to the winning post Ajax took 50V4«, a time which the could materially have improved upon hod he been challenged in the straight.

It was thought that, for the first time, Ajax would stifle all straight-out betting, just as I'bar Lap did on ten occasions, but evidently tho bookmakers consider Ajax is more vulnerable than Phar Lap. and when betting opened 10 to 1 on was freely called, and one backcrr laid £200 to £20 on twice. Dash To Front. , Ajax, who was quickly in front, had a lead ot' about three lengths from El Uolen racing over the tap of the hill, with Ortelle's Star next and Elanage last. At the three furlongs Elanage improved bin position, and, approaching the turn, he was on terms with El Golea, about two lengths behind Ajax. Soon afterwards Elanage was beaten, and then Ortelle's Star made her run between El Golea and Klamvgc, 'but he could not trouble El Golea, who defeated her jiMt as easily as Ajax deefated him. Many great horses have won the Memsie Stakes, and several of them have won it twice. Ajax how joins that'select group. Tho value of the Memsie to the winner was £700, which makes Ajax's Winnings £.12,5W He is now in ninth place in the list of great Australasian stake winners, passin# Nightmarch as the result of his victory to-day, Provided Ajax continues his winning sequence—to-day was his fourth in succession—it will not be Until the V.R.C. spring meeting that Ajnx earns sufficient money to step vp another rung in the stake-winning' liit. CaaHHttf S«qu«nro. ' An interesting point about Ajax's win was that it was his eleventh successive victory at Caulficld. He has never been beaten on this trdck, and as there are no really long-distance w6ight-for-agc races run at the heath, it is unlikely that he ever will meet with defeat on his home track. Nino hundred and seventy-nino fiokcts tiiken out on Aja.t represented £244 1.3/. The total of backots for the other three runners was only 244. equalling £61. Of these Elanage was tho best backed, 80 tickets being issued for him. Ajax paid 5/fl for a win. A RECENT PURCHASE. Mr. J. Clothier, of Matamata, owner of Royal Dance and To Haka, recently purchased n yearling chestnut colt by Hunting Song—Billikins. He is a well-grown youngster and it is intended to race him as a two-year-oH. Tho same owner's brood mare by Cape Horn from Lilock produced n colt foal to Siegfried last Tuesday. This is n particularly well-bred youngster, as his dam Liloek is by Limond from Lovelock, Ono of Lilock's sons realised 1400 guineas at the national yearling sales last January. MAKING GOOD HEADWAY. The two-year-old filly by Tideracc from Marion's Birthday, is making good progress under W. Stephens' guidance at Avondale. This filly may be given a run in tho Nursery Handicap on Monday. ENGAGED ON SECOND DAY. It is intended to givo Mahala a race in the Grey Lynn Hurdles on the second day at Avondale. During the last couple of weeks this marc has done plenty of solid pace work, and her condition will stand to her at tho end of the mile and three-quarter journey next Monday. GIVEN EVERY CHANCE. If Peter Pun does not make a successful sire, which is unlikely, it will not be because of lack of good chance. His owner, Mr. R. R. Hangar, is in England, and during tho stay there he purchased tivo wellibred mares for the express purpose of mating them with the dual Melbourne Cup winner. WILL SOON BE READY. Although Silver Quex has only been reroininissioned for a brief period, she has corns on fust and will soon be ready to race. This sister to Round Up shaped well in a work-out over half a mile this week, and it is quite evident that she linn lost none of hor fiporrl. As Silver Quex has shown winning form up to a mile she should not be hard to placc L when properly seasoned.