EL KHOBAR MAY BE WORLD’S BEST

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28020, 14 July 1956, Page 6

EL KHOBAR MAY BE WORLD’S BEST

Sellwood’s Rating Of N.Z. Colt AMAZING RUN TO WIN TEN THOUSAND (From the Australian Correspondent O 1 “The Press”) SYDNEY. July IkJust how good is El Khobar, winner on Saturday of the Doomben Ten Thousand, and now glamour horse in Australia. In the opinion of his rider, Neville Sellwood, El Khobar is “the best colt in Australia, and probably in the world today." Sellwood says this seriously, and moreover he did not wait until after the amazing run El Khobar made to win the Ten Thousand. He told friends before the race that there was very little risk of El Khobar failing even though he had 8-4 and a bad barrier position wide in the field. Because Sellwood’s confidence many punters had big wins over the colt. Sellwood based his opinion of El Khobar on a track gallop in which the colt was opposed to. Knave, another New Zealander, and winner of the Stradbroke Handicap. Weights carried by the colts were not declared, but the scales must have been against El Khobar, because Sellwood said he did not think any horse, three-year-old or otherwise, could do to Knave what El Khobar had done—made him look like a very ordinary galloper. El Khobar has caused more red faces among self-styled judges than any horse in recent years. One prominent Australian turf writer called for the head of Brisbane Amateur Turf Club handicapper, Tom Mitchell, after that official had given El Khobar 8-4 in the Ten Thousand.

El Khobar was handicapped at 7-6 in the Stradbroke Handicap, but did not start, instead he won a minor handicap against possibly the weakest field that could be got together in Brisbane.

It was on that run that Mr Mitchell based his opinion, and undoubtedly he was correct in his assessment. In fact he was lenient, because El Khobar could have won the Ten Thousand with 9-0.

Now people are asking what next and only Mr Wolf Fisher, owner of El Khobar, has an idea on that issue. He has indicated that he will not overtax the colt in handicap races, but will reserve him for weight-for-age.

In the meantime, the “talent scouts” are seeking a price on El Khobar for the United States.

The colt is most suitable for American racing because of his brilliant speed and the probability of his running on over a middle distance.

His sire Gabador (imp.) won his only start—a race over 10 furlongs, and his dam, Gay Abandon, an unraced mare, comes from a family that has produced distance runners more than sprinters.

Gay Abandon is by Theio (son of Tetratema) from Silver Beam, a winner and sister to Argentic which won 14 races over distances up to a mile and a half. Two of Silver Beam’s half sisters, Radiant Star, and Tolaga Bay won in Australia.

This ability to stay was also shown in Silver Beam’s dam. Spotlight, which produced five winners of races over distances and whbse dam, Stardancer, was a noted producer of stayers. Stardancer’s foals included the New Zealand Oaks winner Starmist who became grand-dam of the good winner in Melbourne, Saint Warden. Saint Warden won both the Caulfield and Adelaide cups twice.

PENALTY REMITTED BY CONFERENCE

DISQUALIFICATION ON J. W. WINDER

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 13. J. W. Winder, a trainer, of Te Rapa, was successful in his application to the New Zealand Racing Conference today for a remission of the unexpired balance of his term of disqualification. Winder was disqualified in 1953 on a charge that Rising Fast, trained by him, was not run on its merits in the Te Awamutu Cup. On appeal to the Racing Conference judges, the term was increased to five years.

When his application came before the annual meeting of the conference today, a motion that it be granted was moved by Mr P. G. Vercoe. seconded by the president (Mr W. Claud Motion), and supported by Mr W. T. Luxton. The motion was declared carried on the voices, but when a division was sought by Dr. A. McGregor Grant (Auckland) the voting, 29 to 21, was insufficient to carry it on a two-thirds majority, which is required to make any amendments to the Rules of Racing. It was subsequently found under the rules that only a bare majority of delegate voting was required to pass the motion and accordingly, Winder's application was granted.

L. J. Ellis to Train lone.—lone, an acceptor for the Novice Handicap at Trentham tomorrow, will join L. J. Ellis’s Riccarton team. She is a three-year-old filly by Faux Tirage from Silver Coin, dam also of Sir William, and is owned by Mr E. N. Fitzgerald. Gisborne. lone was fifth in the Trial Plate on Wednesday. (Trotting on Page 12.)