SWIFT RISE TO FAME

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26855, 7 October 1952, Page 4

SWIFT RISE TO FAME

DALRAY FIRST WON 13 MONTHS AGO It’s a far cry from Westport t 6 Randwick, from the W. R. Simpson Memorial Hack Handicap at the Buller centre’s meeting, to the Metropolitan, but in the space of only 13 months Dalray’s record shows that meteoric progress, and, for the. Greymouth owner, Mr C. Neville, well over £24,000 in stakes. Dalray was having his first race as a three-year-old. and the fourth of his career, when he won at Westport on September 8, 1951. The weakness of the op-

position notwithstanding, there was greatness in that first winning performance of the Balloch colt in the 10-furlong hack handicap. Six furlongs from home ne was giving the leaders some 25 lengths start, but his powerful finishing run, now known throughout New Zealand and Australia, carried him to victory by two lengths. The winner’s share of the stake was £202 10s. small beginnings in the career of a champion, but for all that an important milestone in a brief but great career. Dalray was ridden in that race by B. S. Finlayson, then an apprentice to trainer C. C. McCarthy. Ever since, and sometimes in the face of Australian criticism, K. Nuttall has been Dalray’s horse-

There was much enthusiasm and jubilation in Greymouth and other parts of the West Coast yesterday. Mr Neville is known to have won a small fortune from his horse’s success by availing himself of much more attractive odds (up to 8 to 1) than those secured by starting price supporters in yesterday’s race. In addition, Mr Neville is- known to have coupled up among others the favourite High Law. the first-leg winner of the Epsom, in doubles with his champion. Australian bookmakers have often shown an inclination to bias against New Zealand aspirants for honours in Australia and history repeats itself in this case. With early and continued support, many aood judges have secured good prices, so much so that today the Australian bookmaker is lamenting Dalray’s latest victory. Dalray was a “raging” favourite for the Metropolitan after his win in the Colin Stephen Stakes on Saturday. He was coupled with the Epsom winner. High Law, for £500,000. Trainer’s Methods Dalray’s advanced form on a light racing preparation .puzzled Australian racing circles, and criticism of McCarthy’s training methods was very, much astray. Dalrav was brought back to New Zealand after his defeat by Opulent in the last Sydney Cup, and was not raced again until he contested the Hill Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday week. After Dalray won the Colin Stephen Stakes on Saturday, a Sydney newspaper commented: “Apparently Dalray does not need a great deal of track work to bring him to his top, and McCarthy knows it.” Australians did not place enough value on the road work-—up to 20 miles a day— Dalray was given for several weeks near Riccarton before he started on another programme of steady track work. McCarthy has been described in Australia as old-fashioned in his methods, but New Zealand racing circles have long known of his ability to condit on, prepare, and place a horse. By now that lesson will have been learned in Australia; and it will have been a bitter one for the odds-layers. Of the future plans for Dalray little can be said at this stage. But he will probably run again in the Queen’s Cup on the final day of the meeting next Saturday. The Queen’s Cup is a handicap sweepstakes of £2O each with £2900 added and a cup valued at £lOO, the gift of Her Majesty the Queen. The maximum weight is 9-5, 41b more than Dalray carried yesterday. Future Races Plans for Dalray to run in the Melbourne Cup are by no means conclusive yet, it is reliably reported. Much will depend on the V.R.C. handicapper's penalty for yesterday’s win. Dalray’s Melbourne Cup weight.was 9-6 and with a rehandicap he will have a task faced successfully earlier by the champions Phar Lap and Peter Pan. Phar Lap carried 9-12 when he won in 1930. Peter Pan carried 9-10 when he won on a heavy track four years later. An attractive alternative programme could be found lor Dalray in his homeland. He has been nominated for the New Zealand Cup, run on November 8. and he would be helped by the 9-7 maximum in that race. The weight-for-age Canterbury Cup. also run at Riccarton, would be easy for the champion. Then in January there would be the Wellington Cup and a weight-for-age race to tilt at in plenty of time before another autumn campaign in Sydney. Whether Dalray will be called >On. to run in the Melbourne Cup under a big weight will probably depend on the class of stayers in Australia. ' .. The “Sydney Morning 'Herald reports, that th 4 offer made by Mr A. Basser for Dalray after his win on Saturday was £25,000, not £20,000, as cabled to New Zealand. Mr Neville refused the offer, which was several thousands below that made On behalf of American interests after the Sydney Cup. Mr Neville said then that he was not prepare#- to talk business under £50,000. - Mr Neville has also affirmed that Trench Fray, the first horse he owned and winner of more than £lO,OOO. is not for sale in spite of tempting offers that have possibly been more than the horse’s value.