DERBY RUN AT EPSOM TODAY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27988, 7 June 1956, Page 4

DERBY RUN AT EPSOM TODAY

Big Field To Contest • 177th Race (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright) LONDON, June 6. The Derby—the blue riband of the British turf—will have its one hundred and seventy-seventh running today over the undulating one mile and a half course at Epsom, Surrey. A field of 27 three-ytear-olds is expected tb race for the winner’s purse of £17,382. Last night, the first of the crowd of 100,000 who will pack the downs overlooking the course began gathering, undaunted by forecasts of <Jool, showery weather. By midday -today, every vantage point will be packed with spectators, bookies, food and drink merchants, and tipsters willing to disclose their choice for the classic, which will be run at >5.30 p.m. Recent rain has not been heavy enough to soften up the going, though it has put some spring into the turf, which had hardened after a long, dry spell. Racing writers agree that the race is wide open. The favourite at the start is likejy to be eithejr. Lavandin, owned by -Mr Pierre Wertheimer, head of a big French perfume firm, or Pirate King, bwned by Major Lionel Halliday, a Yorkshire industrialist. The Queen’s eolt, Atlas, is not greatly favoured: The Aga Khan, who has -the wellfancied BuissOn Ardent,- will be trying for his sixth Derby victory. Another entry, Affiliation Order, was won by a .London housewife in a newspaper competition, which , Cost her two postage stamps. Although lightly regarded by experts; he has won the only, two> races he-has ever contested, both this year. He has a stylish sire in Supreme Court, and will be ridden by the vigorous young jockey, Lester .Piggott. The final call over odds for the Derby announced at last night’s Victoria Club session m London were:— 15 to 2 Lavandin, 9 to 1 Pirate King, 21 to 2 Induna, 100 to 8 Buisson Ardent, 100 to 6 Articulate, Tenareze, Full Measure, Cash and Courage, and King David H, 20 to 1 Roistar, 25 to 1 Affiliation Order, Gilles de Retz, and Stephanotis, 33 to 1 Sacre Bleu, 40 to 1 Pearl Orama, Idle Rocks, Atlas, Monterey, Hornbeam, and Montaval, 100 to 1 Royal Splendour, Stoney Ley, Birso Boy, Al-Mojannah, Nimrod IV, Thunderbolt, and'Chilham. GYPSY BOY SOLD ADDITION TO ANDERTON’S STABLE Gypsy Boy, which was placed in the Hack. Steeplechase events on the first two days of the Dunedih Jockey Club’s meeting, has been sold by Mr T. A. Clouston, of Dunedin, to a client of H. A. Anderton’s stable. The Tiderace seven-year-old, which is a brother to Gypsy Fair, and a halfbrother to Gay Music and Gypsyway, has yet to win a race, but he was consistently placed in seven of his hurdle and steeplechase races from the Gore stable of J. R. and R. J. Cochrane, earlier in the season. This addition to the Anderton establishment will help to keep up the strength of his team of jumpers, several of whom have dropped out because of injury since the season started. Gypsy Boy has been allowed to miss his engagement in the Dunedin Steeplechase on Saturday, but may compete in the Burnside Steeples at Oamaru the next week.