Sleepy Fox Astounds The Railbirds

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 304, 24 December 1941, Page 4

Sleepy Fox Astounds The Railbirds

Some brilliant sprints were witnessed this morning on the middle grass track at Takanini and aided by the fact that horses were only asked to gallop the exact distance and the track was very fast, some excellent times were registered. By far the most impressive effort was that of Sleepy Fox, who astounded trackwatchers by running five furlongs in 60s dead. His first two furlongs took 235. The excellence of the trial is emphasised when it is mentioned that few gallops as good as this one have ever been recorded at Takanini, and a repetition of this effort should give him a great chance of winning the Great Northern Foal Stakes.

The Cup candidates Cornish (Home) ana Round Up (Dixon) were associated over a mile and a quarter, the pace being on all the way, the first half-mile being ™ in 50s, the first six in 1.15 3-5 and the full distance in 2.12. There was little between them at the finish and right on the post Round Up got his head in front, finishing with more determination than formerly and seemingly having the upper hand of Cornish.

There was no fresh light thrown upon the prospects of Railway Handicap candidates, Route March and Proud Fox running five furlongs in 1.1 3-5, Route March defeating his companion rather comfort- ? . a length, while Foxola was defeated by the Christmas Handicap candidate River Plate in her sprint over five furlongs in 1.1, River Plate working n improved style and finishing half a length in front. Cambria had little difficulty in finishing in front of First Edition over five furlongs in 1.2. _ Th e , ** es t half-mile of the morning was recorded by Grandora, who, after breakfast, dashed over this distance in 48 2-ss. out. Kraal and Miss Gay both worked pleasingly over five furIn 1.1 4-5, finishing together, but moo rt=Xf S i g ? m § > he easler - Indian Princess dec sively defeated Lady Pep in 1.2 n iP eaU i .^ a al ls and R °yal Merit ' i i Beau Vaals showing su Periority to finish a length in I % s K five furl °ngs on the &iss g Jose 14 3?5 ' 63 taking 14 and

to^ r thl X ,n U . rI °" gs , Ga yJax worked well t? r V n the distance in 1.15 3-5, while Ever nuSifn I Sh little difficulty in defeating publln Show in 1.16 3-o, Verus and Fox|fs e r a U Kf I gofng ,aS 'bette° U thw? mtSoiat. in 145 ' the first half "