RACING Redcraze Returns To Form To Set Stakes Record

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28399, 4 October 1957, Page 5

RACING Redcraze Returns To Form To Set Stakes Record

[From the Australian Correspondent of ‘The Press”!

SYDNEY, Sept. 30. A goal set nearly three years ago was reached on Saturday at Rosehill when Redcraze became the greatest stake-winner in Australian racing by winning the -fill Stakes with its £949 prize. But Redcraze’s owner, Mrs A B. Bradley, was not there to see her horses triumph Ever since she broke a hip some months ago Mrs Bradley has been in indifferent health. Redcraze now has won £66.938 beating the record of £66.765 established by another New Zealand horse. Rising Fast, which was retired last November. Mrs Bradley brought Redcraze to Australia to “create a monument” for her late husband who died before Redcraze had shown championship form. Mrs Bradley said: “All his life, my husband was interested in breeding a horse of distinction. Just before he died he said he believed that at last he had succeeded, and that Redcraze would become a champion. For that reason. I would not sell Redcraze, but determined to prove my husband’s prophecy.” Redcraze’s trainer, T. J. Smith says Redcraze has returned to his top form again, and that he will win the Melbourne Cup unless there is a light-weight which develops form above his handicap rating. Smith said: ’The old horse seemed to be slipping a bit, but he’s back now doing his track w'ork every bit as well as he did last spring when he was really at his top. He'll get only the one race at Randwick, and then well go off to Melbourne to settle in for the big job of winning the Melbourne Cup with his huge weight.”

Todman was the horse of the moment on Saturday, and was at odds on for the Hill Stakes. Regarded as back to form after an interruption in training, Todman was raced from behind the field, the outsider, Timor and the New Zealand colt, Youn° Idealist, leading him early. °n the turn, Todman went after but was immediately tackled by Redcraze, and, in a flash was a well-beaten horse. Then Redcraze went after the others, and running at his best, turned on a tremendous burst in the last 50 yards to win very convincingly Todman now will b e taken out of all his sprang races, which include the Derby.

Thus the way is made the easier for the New’ Zealand-bred colt, Tulloch. to win the classic for his veteran owner, Mr E. A Haley. New Challenger A new challenger arose for Tulloch on Saturday when the colt, Turkestan, won the Rosehiil Handicap in grand style Turkestan, a son of Turkaris, and whose dam is a sister to the celebrated racehorse. Delta, was three times checked in his run over the 10 furlongs. Nothing but sheer courage and ability enabled him to make the sprint in the last 100 vards that won him the race.

Tulloch may have done just as well, but the opinion is that Turkestan will thoroughly extend Tulloch in the classic.

Form in the sprint races brought Teranyan into favour for the Epsom Handicap. He won the Theo Marks Quality Handicap from a New Zealand horse. Yes Please, and an honest handicapper, Greenoble. Unplaced in the race were the New Zealand horses. Shahwan and Zariba, the last-mentioned finishing last and looking very tired.

Shahwan was cut out at the start, found the pace too hot and dropped back, and when he attempted i run could not get through a wall of horses packed in front of him.

caml arin JL the u post '. an opening dashpH which Shanwan dashed, giving an idea that he mav ?hance BOne C ‘ OSe had B°t tK sa?d a h Wa n 1 tr ? iner - D ‘ck Roden, tn h? . lot1 ot ex Pected Shahwan whirh f^ ted by 1116 Ros ehill track, ginner favours S rea «y the smart befancies the horse very! l he Epsoin Handicao next Saturday because the long straight at Randwick will give Shahwan a, better chance. One thing was noticeable on Saturday, Shahwan ran straight, and apparently the new bit tried on him corrected his habit of dashing in towards the rails when pressure is applied .u Sh 2 h 'y an s Stalest danger may be the Sydney horse, Timor, which has developed unexpected form since he had a change in stables. Timor on Saturday almost stole the Hill Stakes, in which he had 9-4. compared with his Epsom weight of 8-0. Other riders did not regard Timor as a danger at weight-for-age and allowed the horse to get a big break in the first six furlongs. Then Timor unexpectedly fought back when Redcraze tackled nim. and went down by only half a length, a good run even though Redcraze was going away from him as the post was reached.