SPRINT FAVOURITE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 302, 21 December 1945, Page 11

SPRINT FAVOURITE

SPEEDY THEOPHILUS

GRANDSON OF CLEMENCY

The speedy Theophilus, who has arrived at Ellerslie to contest the Railway Handicap, for which he has been favourite since the declaration of handicaps, is a brilliant beginner, and although the son of Theio only graduated to the Open ranks at the beginning of the season, he has already won twice in this class at Ellcrsiie. His record of five wins and two second placings in his 10 starts to date is impressive.

Theophilus looks in great heart at present. He recently was given a course of swimming exercise at Tauranga. Ha'fbrother to the Stratford Cup winner Chief Lord, he is out of Huntaway, an unraced half-sister to Baran and to Kindheart. Huntaway is by Hunting Song out of Clemency, who is by Limond from Sweet Charity, the latter being out of a halfsister to the dam of those good English winners, Tetratema and The Satrap.

At his first start this season, Theophilus led all the way to win the Admiralty Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting. He was in front till the straight was reached in the Flying Handicap at the Avondale meeting oh September 15, but th™ weakened and finlshd out of a place. start, he led to the straight in a sprint at the Poverty Bay meeting, but then ran about and was beaten to the post by Killeymoon. He had an end-to-end win in the Shorts Handicap at Ellerslie on October 13, Neenah running second to him. Nine of the horses who will line up for the Railway Handicap on Boxing Day finished behind him. Theophilus has been ridden by G. Hughes at each start this season, so it seems likely that this horseman will again have the mount.