WARWICK STAKES TODAY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28056, 25 August 1956, Page 6

WARWICK STAKES TODAY

Interest Centred On N.Z. Champions SYNTAX’S OWNER SAYS EL KHOBAR WILL WIN (N Z Press Association —Copyright) SYDNEY, August 24. Mr S. H. Walker said last night he thought El Khobar would just have the edge on his horse Syntax when the two New Zealand champions clash tomonow in the seven-furlong Warwick Stakes at Warwick Farm. Q <= That almost makes it unanimous, as El Khobar’s trainer, R. R °den, forecast earlier that his horse would beat syntax, being the more forward in condiBookmakers have made El Khobar the odds-on favourite. Mr Walker said he was sure Syntax would run a good race in his Australian debut, but El Khobar, in sprightly fettle after a successful winter’s campaign, might just have the edge “at this stage. “It is difficult for me to try to make an assessment, as I have never seen ei Khobar race,’’ Mr Walker said, ‘ but on the reports I have heard about him, he must be a brilliant horse.” He said Syntax worked well in his special trial at Warwick Farm yesterday, easily beating his galloping companion, Cavel King, over three furlongs in 37Jsec on the middle grass, 24 feet out from the rails. Owner’s Arrival Mr W. Fisher, owner of El Khobar, arrived from New Zealand late on Wednesday and yesterday saw his horse work at Randwick. El Khobar ran four furlongs in 50%sec, 30 feet out on a grass track. Mr Fisher was “very pleased" with El Khobar’s condition. Bookmakers are treating the race as a match between Syntax and El Khobar, although there are 12 other entries—one of tile largest fields for the event in years. The third favourite is another New Zealander, Somerset Fair, but his price is in double figures. Their race riders, N. B. Holland and N. Sellwood, rode Syntax and El Khobar respectively in yesterday’s trials. Another feature of the Warwick Stakes will be the appearance of the New Zealand mare Gentle Lu, which made her Australian debut at Randwick on August 4. GREAT YORKSHIRE HANDICAP THE BLESSING BEATS KENMORE (N.Z Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) YORK, August 23. | Lady Wyfold's five-year-old gelding. Ttye > Blessing, won the £1540 Great Yorkshire Handicap, over six furlongs today. Mr E. B. Johnston’s Kenmore was sec-1 ond, and Lady Waterford’s Trouville third j in a photo-finish. Results:— GREAT YORKSHIRE HANDICAP. Of £1540. Six furlongs. Lady Wy ford’s THE BLESSING syrs by Devonian—Circassia 8-2 Douglas Smith 1 Kenmore 8-3 .. .. M. Mercer 2 Trouville 8-10 .. ..A. Breasley 3 Eight started. Half a length: short head. Time. Imln 15 l-ssec. Winner trained by S. Mercer, Staffordshire. Starting prices: 8 to 1 The Blessing, 4 to 1 Kenmore. 13 to 2 Trouville. MY HERO AT STUD IN AUSTRALIA My Hero, winner of £21,690, most of it for his Christchurch breeder. Mr O. F. Watson, is at a Victorian stud this season, standing at a fee of 75gns. My Hero won the Caulfield Cup in Mr Watson’s colours in 1953, when ridden by the Riccarton jockey, N. Eastwood. Mananui. a half-brother to My Hero, has been nominated for the Caulfield Cup this year, and is already ip Australia. His Riccarton trainer, G. H. Murfitt, jun., left on Thursday for Melbourne to take charge of Mananui and Innesfell, which are both owned by Mr Watson. Murfitt took both horses to Australia in July but returned for the Grand National meeting at Riccarton.