THE COLOUR IS BLUE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 262, 4 November 1944, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE COLOUR IS BLUE

Son Of Gold Bar May Be Worthy Opponent For Slavonic In The New Zealand Derby

(By WILLIAM J. BYRNE)

Slavonic, winner of the Canterbury Three-Year-Old Stakes and the Wellington Stakes, is claimed by his admirers to hare something in the nature of a mortgage on the New Zealand Derby, which is to be ran at the Metropolitan Trots at Addington next Saturday; in fact, they are already hailing him as the champion of his age: As money for nothing for the Blue Riband. And these ardent adherents may be quite right, too, but it should be remembered that Worthy Gold, a son of the champion, Gold Bar, was within a half-head of Slavonic in the Canterbury Stakes; also, that he did not start in the Wellington Stakes, in which Slavonic met but a small field, one including only three of those he is likely to meet in the Derby. The trio was composed of Jackie Guy, Bohemian and Little Warmie, the last two unplaced.

IT must be recognised that Slavonic's performance in the Canterbury Stakes was outstanding, if for no other reason than that, because of the conditions of the race, he was compelled to give away as mnch as 24 yards start to others of his own age. In addition to the handicap, he surmounted other obstacles in the event; in other words, was good enough to triumph in the face of adversity.

Perhaps it might be just as well to recall the running of the Canterbury Stakes, like this: From 24 yards behind in a field of fifteen Slavonic dashed out of the barrier to be fourth before half a mile had been completed. Going along the back straight the last time he got pushed back, and approaching the home bend he had Lady Spray, "Worthy Gold, Jack's Son and Jackie Guy in front of him.

The five three-year-olds came home In fine style, and in a fight for positions it looked as if Slavonic would not get through, but he finished with great determination and got up in the last stride to win by naif a head from Worthy Gold, with only heads separating the next three horses—Jack's Son, Lady Spray and Jackie Guy. Neither Jack's Son nor Lady Spray are in the New Zealand Derby. Related to Country Belle Slavonic paced the first four furlongs in 1.8 2-5, the mile in 2.17 4-5, and the mile and a half in 3.22. He is a grand type of gelding by Lusty Volo from Rustic Maid, by Rey de Oro from a champion of her day in Country Belle, 4.22 1-5. Although Rustic Maid never raced, she produced several very successful pacers, three being classic winners in Highland Scott, Scottish Lady and Slavonic. The others were Gallant Maid, 2.46, Arawa Lad and Scottish Lord. "Worthy Gold, which did not race in the Wellington Stakes, forced Admiration out to beat him a length in the Timaru Nursery Stakes, one mile, and although he failed badly in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, won by Slavonic, his performance in the Canterbury Stakes emphasised that he was improving.

In the Canterbury Stakes he I started from 12 yards and raced into ! third place with a mile to go. He held his position to the straight and. in a fighting finish, was beaten by half a head by Slavonic. race at a matinee meeting at Addington, and at her next start she led | the field home in the Timaru Nur- ; sery Stakes. That was a mile race. She is a handsome, reliable pacer, and a member of a very successful family of pacers. She is a sister to : Coquette and Bonny Bridge, and a half-sister to Captain Morant and Bayard. She has as much speed as any of her age, but a mile appears to be as far as she can go. She will improve with age. and next season she will probably be seen to advantage. Jackie Guy, a son of Jack Potts, improved to be second to Slavonic at * Wellington, whereas Bohemian was again unplaced, so that it looks as though Worthy Goid is the one to challenge Slavonic for supremacy in the New Zealand Derby, 1944. looking Backwards Although a perusal of past winners of the Derby reveals the names of many briiiiant pacers, it is interesting to note that only two of them, Author Dillon f1916) and Wrackler (1928), later went on to win the New Zealand Cup. Wrackler was probably the best double-gaited horse to race"in the Dominion. Author Dillon won three Free-for-alls. Acron, a brilliant pacer and winner of the Derby, subsequently established a record of 2.3 3-5 for a flying mile, and this stood for several years. In 1932, Taxpayer, owned by Mr. J. R. McKenzie, downed a screaming hot favourite, Indianapolis, brit the latter had gone to a break going out of the straight the last time. In the following month the pair met in the Great Northern Derby at Auckland, and Indianapolis had his revenge, winning easily. Later Indianapolis made history by winning three New Zealand Trotting Cups in succession. That great mare Haughty will attempt to equal this record this month, as she has already two to her credit. War Buoy, another Derby winner, established what is probably a Dominion record by winning ten races in succession.