THE DERBY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19368, 21 July 1928, Page 16

THE DERBY.

GREAT DAY AT EPSOM. VICTORY OP AN OUTSIDER. SIR H. CUNLIFFE OWEN'S FIRST CLASSIC.

(rsou oua own cobbespokdest.) LONDON, June 15. "Derby Day" was. from many points of view, a wonderful day characterised by brilliant sunshine. And every individual of the hundreds of thousands present—(the official estimate is that there were over a million people there) —seemed to be unanimous in their verdict, "We would not have missed it for anything." : All New Zcalanders seem to be in agreement, for they, too, "would not have missed it for anything," whether they went to the course by motor-bus, or motor-car, or to the more select grandstands, or whether they went purely to experience the holiday joys provided on the crowded Downs, where merry-go-rounds, switchbacks, coconut shies, fortunetelling gipsies, and gaudily dressed tipsters were going' hard from early morning' till late afternoon. Mingled with the fun-providers were the usual seriously-disposed people whose banners were reminders that there is a world beyond the present one. To experience a cooling breeze away from the enormous crowds, one had to seek refuge in the paddock, a beauti-. ful, leafy, and exclusive spot, open only to the few hundreds who cared to pay the extra charge for the privilege of seeing the horses before therv arrived on the course for the public parades. The horses, too, seemed to be cool and composed while there, but some of them subsequently were quite upset by the noise and the pressure of the crowds. This was the case with Fairway, Lord; Derby's fine colt, the result being that the favourite made no showing at all in the running for the big prize, which went to an. outsider—Sir H. Cunliffe Owen's Felstead. .The dresses seen in the paddock reminded one more of the gossamer charms attaching to the Ascot Meeting than belong ordinarily to the earlier Epsom fixture. The officials had considerable difficulty in making a way through to the grandstand entrance for the Royal cars. The Kin? and Queen, with the Prince of Wales, Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles, the Duke and Duchess of York, the Duke of Gloucester, and the Duke of Connauorht and Princess Tnsrrid, of Sweden, were in the Royal hox.

The Horses. There was all the usual preliminary speculation for weeks ahead as to the likely winner and the best outsiders. Fairway was always favourite, Sir L. Phillipps' Flamingo was always in a prominent place in the public estimation, Sir F. Dewar's Sunny Trace was the hope of thousands more, while "Steve's" mount, Gang Warily, reputed to have made much neadway after a course of violet ray treatment, was thought to be one who might at least get a place even if. he did not, with "Steve's" "assistance; get first past the post. There was a last minute fancy for Mr J. B. Reid's Black Watch.

However, as all the world knew a few minutes later. Felstead was the winner, trained by Captain 0. Bell (formerly of Australia) and ridden by H. Wragg'; Flamingo ((Elliott up) came second, a length and a half away; Black Watch (C. Srairke) was third, six lengths behind the. second. Then came Fernkloof, followed by Gang Warily, with Camelford sixth, followed by Scintillation seventh, Palais Royal. 11., the French horse who ran well (one length off) eighth, Bubbles ,n. (another French hope, , three-quarters of a length) ninth, Sunny Trace (two lengths off) tenth, Ranjit Singh (six lengths) eleventh, Advocate twelfth. Fairway (never prominent after a mile), thirteenth, Porthole (ran well for six furlongs) fourteenth. Royal Minstrel (failed to stay) fifteenth. Grange View (not disgraced) sixteenth, and Yeomanstown last, except Royal Crusader, who was left and cantered in some time afterwards. Surinv Trace was first round the important "Corner," but then faded away entirely. As for Fairway, in the middle division at the mile post, he was from that stage done with; in fact, said T Weston (jockey), "he was beaten after going six furlongs, probably because he had had so much taken out of him before the actual start." Like all the sons of Phalaris, he is highly strung, and the noise of the crowd and heat of the day upcet him more than his rivals. No horse; however, cooler in the parade than Felstead, arid O. Bell has been tremendously, congratulated upon the condition In which be sent the colt to the post. It is interesting to know that, in his trainer's opinion, Felstead stands nearly 16.1 hands, and has f ullv I eight.inches of bone under the knee. Felstead was hot unduly distressed I after his victory, considering the pace at which the race was run. Sir Hugo Cunliffe Owen told a "Sporting Life" representative that Felstead had not since Christmas been a 'very robust feeder, that he had. therefore,'been fed.on Bemax. It was onlv decided to let him remain in a week before the race, as he was not thought good enough.' to win the Blue Riband of the racing world. . Harmful Parades. Sportsmen were at first dumbfounded at the result, which seemed to be unaccountable, and after a few days it was generally agreed by critics that wrong riding tactics had been indulged in. Steve Donoghue and J. Ohilds both said that it was the fastest-run Derby tnev had ever ridden in, and the time, 2m*34 2-ss—which equalled Call Boy's record I —endorsed that view. "Hotspur" ("Daily Telegraph") writes : Quite a big crowd awaited the coming of Fairway through the door which gives admission to the paddock from the quiet path through the wood from the Durdans. Stepping out into the maelstrom of this pre-race excitement he must ' have been astonished, so much so that it was probably ths beginning of that excitement which caused him to break out into a sweat, especially about his neck and shoulders. All who saw him in the parade would notice what I did. • He was lively enough while Frank Butters very quickly saddled him in the open, and though he coijld be, and was, criticised on the score of lightness of his physique, his demeanour was that of a fit horse in the completest sense. I must admit, however, that he was rather lighter than I expected to find him, and the fact gave me some misgiving for the first time since I saw him win the Newmarket Stakes. ... What I did not like was the outbreak of excitement.. He seemed too upset to walk calmly, though Weston tried to soothe him by onttine hi* neck. He moved off smoothly in the canter, showing his delightful action, hut it was clear that he had allowed himself to be unset by the ereat crowd, the heat, and the general mobhins Some dav the authorities will consider the horse first and the nublic afterwards. When they do that there will be an I

end of these empty and harmful parades. The public will be content to see their champions canter past them to the starting-post. Gang Warily carried himself well, and so did Ranjit Singh, though the latter is something 'of an ugly duckling with his star-gaz-ing head. Sunny Trace and Gordon Richards were on the best of terms during these preliminaries, and Lord Dewar's colt certainly looked well, though wanting in stature for a prospective Derby winner.

A Hurricane Eace. The story of the race is one of the briefest that has ever been told of a Derby. First, one or two breaks th.ough the tape, in which Gang Warily, Sunny Trace, Black Watch, and Ranjit S.ngh figured. Their jockeys were taking no chances in case it was a "go." Black Watch, for one, was disinclined to come into line, and for a few moments Flamingo was a trifle awkward. The latter was drawn on the outside of all Fairway was only second from the starter, so that many were betwepn these two greatly-fancied ones. Sunny Trace had a better place than either, for it was most essential that the jockeys on the outside horses should not be squeezed out of it in that first rush for position up the hill. ' At last they were off, and except that Royal Crusader, a 200 to ] chance, was altogether left, it was a good start. I saw Elliott immediately set his horse alight, as if his life depended on getting to the head of affairs in that first moment. Weston dashed out Fairway, and Lord Derby's colt certainly showed the right beginning speed. I was quite sure that he had got well away, and that he was in a nice place, for, as they strung themselves up the hill, he was about fourth or fifth. In front of him were Flamingo, Ranjit Singh. Sunny Trace, Porthole, and Royal Minstrel. Fclstead, too, was one of the bunch. In that way they made their way up the grinding rise of half a mile or so, racing for all they were worth. Some were bound to crack, for flesh and blood could not stand such high pressure. The three leaders, two in particular —Sunny Trace and Flamingo—racing almost side by side, were now going ''hell for leather." That is the best phrase (because it is true) I can think of to describe the duel which now ensued between Elliott on Flamingo and Richards on Sunny Trace. Not far behind them was Felstead, who was being ridden with more discretion, for though that colt was going fast, too, he was within- striking distance when either or both of the leaders would "crack." Fairway was done with before six furlongs had been covered. He was so completely out of it, seeming to be going backwards as. others went past him, that he ceased to interest. Eanjit Singh had exploded his reserves in that one frantic dash; Eoyal Minstrel had performed like no more than a sprinter; and Palais Royal: 11. had thrown up the sponge so far as France was concerned.

Elliott's Tactics. . Elliott, must have had in mind his tactics of last year, when he won on Call Boy, alter making nearly the whole or the running. He had, ot course, to be on another Call Boy to be successful, though that colt may haee been vouchsafed some slight "easy." Flamingo, however, was. kept at full stretch, because his jockey found it necessary to hold off and beat Sunny Trace. These two, therefore, because of their desperate efforts up to this stage, may be said to have beaten eaqh other, for, with still a quarter t f a mile to go,-Sunny Trace was a hopelessly spent force, and Flamingo's reserves were so nearly used up • that when Felstead came gradually up from behind the. resistance was weak and actually soon vanished. As I- read the. ' race,. and as I see. it now,. Felstead d not much to do, for he merely to dispose of a tired horse. '-He, himself, had reserves.in any case, for the good reason that he is the better stayer. Thus the positions, as between the two jockeys, were reversed. A year ago it. was Elliott on Call Boy that beat a non-stayer in Hot Night, ridden by "Wragg. This time it was Wragg's turn to triumph over Elliott, and as he urged.Felstead r forward there was a willing response. Sir Hiigo Cunliffe Owen's, colt came on to win quite comfortably by a length and a half. In all the circumstances it was a meritorious victory and thoroughly well deserved. We may say what we like about the character of the field, but it remains a fact that Felstead was the best horse, and the Derby is generally won by the best horse, though criticisms may be levelled against individuals as to tactics, and tales of bad hick in running may-be told. There were many good sportsmen to cheer the colt and his rider as they were escorted back to the unsaddling enclosure by the proud and happy owner, but, human nature being what it is, I need hardly stress the subdued character of the reception in general.

Son of Spion Kop. Felstead was bred by his owner, who bought the colt's clam, t elkington, when she had Firmament as a toal at foot, and the mare's next foal was Felstead, sired by Spion Kop. One of the people most satisned with the result was Colonel Giles Loder, the owner of the sire, who himself won the Derby eight years ago. So I most cordially congratulate Sir Hugo Cunliffe Owen on his wonderful avalanche of fortune. For it was an avalanche in a sense. He had hoped Felstead would run well, for he believed in his stamina, though a little bit doubtful of his speed in the highest class. After all, it seemed too good to be true that one with the coifs comparatively modest record, which appeared in particular to be at a disadvantage with Flamingo on The Guineas running, should be capable of Twinging about the overthrow of. the alleged unbeatables that made such a fuss in the betting, and, with the exception of Flamingo, such a damp-squib-like display in the race. . I congratulate, too, Wragg, 'on the judgment and discretion he showed through the race. It has greatly advanced his status as one of the leading jockeys-. To the trainer, the nicest words can be applied. He has done his share most admirably. The result shows that, as "did the condition of the winner both before and especially after the race. It was a tribute to skilful training. There is little or no more to be said. The heavy defeats of Fairway and Sunny Trace leave ns nonplussed, and in a great many cases much poorer.

Too-Anxious Jockeys. We may be certain that the trainers of Flamingo and Sunny Trace did not give their jockeys orders to go as hard as their horses could "leg" it from the instant the gate went up and never stop riding in order to be first home. Why, then, did they do it? It must have been a case of temporary aberration. I do not think Elliott and Richards set out with the intention of doing what they did. They were no doubt desperately anxious to be well away. So, too, were all others, and it brought out the sprinting start, the mad dash up the hill, and it became prolonged because circumstances brought Flamingo and Sunny Trace together, each ioekey believing that with Fairway out of it and Eanjit Singh and Eoyal Minstrel disposed of, there was no other danger. It may be that Felstead was the only true stayer among the lot of non-stayers or donbtfnl stayers. but it seemed incredible that this should be so. There will be no guarantee of true results if future Derbys are to be marked . by such methods, while the temperament and character of future generations of the thoroughbred must be endangered by such nerve-

.lacking experiences. Flamingo must be an amazingly big-hearted horse in any case, and every good sportsman hopes he will prove to be no worse for his severe race. In that case, he should win the Grand Prix. Smirke said that Black Watch could simply not go the terrific early pace, but "he was running on like steam." Sir H. Cunliffe Owen is chairman of the British-American Tobacco Company. His wife also is an enthusias- ■ tic owner. Both are great travellers. There was much amusement at thei. first July Meeting at Newmarket, when they were in rivalry in the same race. Sir Hugo won with Irenia. He is a keen sportsman and has a house at Newmarket. After his victory, he said: "I am jolly glad to have won in a race which I always hoped, but never really expected, to win, although I had hopes in the horse."

Other Surprises. But Fairway was not the only- disappointment of the Epsom Meeting. Everyone, expected tho King to win the Oaks (about 1£ miles) with his beautiful filly Scuttle, but Lord Derby was hero recompensed for his big race defeat, Toboggan winning the coveted stakes for him at the expense of Scuttle. Six furlongs from home Toboggan was leading from Scuttle, La Sologne, Jurisdiction, Flegere, and Desert Song, and rounding Tattenham Corner Flegere and Jurisdiction moved up into third and fourth places respectively. Toboggan came on in the straight from Scuttle and Flegere, and Haintonette began to improve her position, but La Sologne and Juri- diction were done with. Two and a half furlongs out Scuttle was under the whip. Toboggan increased her lead, and, drawing away in the last two furlongs, Lord Derby's filly won by four lengths, with six lengths between second and third. Time, 2.37 2-5. Then, Lord Astor and the public at large were chagrined at the defeat of the "certain" Book Law in the Coronation Cup. The horse has, however, since been found upon veterinary examination to be" suffering from kidney trouble, and will not run again for some time. Book Law came in third, beaten by the Franco-Italian crack, Appelle (owned by Mr B. McCreary, a wealthy American), with Silverstead (Mrs C. Rich) second. Book Law was swishing her tail at the post as well as in the race, and her apparent in-, ability to make the descent placed Jellis's (jockey) in a bit of a tangle. He began early down the hill to push her to prevent the others closing in too much. Book Law had always had the reputation of being able to do her best whether cool in herself or not, and of being a "fighting machine" once she gets on to a racecourse, but it was one of her racing off-days. Jelliss looked oven more upset than the owner when the race was over. A New Zealand Party. There were no happier parties than the hundred New Zealanders who put themselves under the aegis of Captain P. C. Pirani (late of Wellington), whose five motor-buses were excellently placed well round Tattenham Corner. From this vantage a good part of every race could be seen easily and comfortably, including the start of the big Blue Biband event. The visitors, too, were able to understand tne "call" of Derby Day to the hundreds of thousands who flock to the Downs, and to take part in its joys if they wished.