IRISH FOLLY SUCCEEDS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28823, 18 February 1959, Page 5

IRISH FOLLY SUCCEEDS

Trainer’s Sound Policy [From the Australian Correspondent of "The Press’ 1 ! SYDNEY, Feb. 17. The long-range policy of the trainer, T. J. Smith, for the New Zealand-bred three-year-old Irish Folly is likely to pay dividends. Irish Folly was one of the best of the two-year-olds of last season and early this season showed excellent prospects as a three-year-old.

It was generally supposed that Smith would continue the training' of Irish Folly and start him in the AJ.C, Derby. Instead, Smith turned the colt out and did not bring him back to work again until the summer, when Irish Folly immediately showed that he retained all the promise he showed earlier. Irish Folly won his first race over a distance on Saturday when he contested the Rosehill Handicap, over 10 furlongs. G. Moore had the mount and his instructions were to handle the colt carefully and not persevere should Irish Folly show that be could not run the distance.

There was no need to worry; Irish Folly ran smoothly in behind the leaders to the turn into the straight, then, when given encouragement to run at 'his top he burst through, into the lead. ’ Irish Folly is by Rolled Gold (imp.) from Irish Eyes (imp.), and is probably one of the best-bred horses bought in New Zealand. He has developed into a strong individual and because of Saturday’s win he is now one of the top-line fancies for the Sydney Cup (two miles) to be run on Easter Monday.

, Strong Field Sea King, the son of Ruthless (imp.) and Balgowlah won , the first division -of the Maiden Two-year-old Handicap at Rosehill in good style. This race was contested by one of the smartest maiden fields that has graced a suburban track for a considerable time, and Sea King beat them with ease once he was set the task inside the last furlong. One of the fancied candidates was Grand Career, a son of Gabador and Blue Trout, one of the fastest mares New Zealand racing has produced since the war. Grand Career, which is related to Yahabeebe, showed himself possessed traditional family speed, but in the last half-furlong he was caught after leading all the way, and nosed out of a place. The second division of the race was won by a well-bred two-year-Rl d ’ 5? pp y Kingdom, which is by Star Kingdom from New Flower, the mare which produced the dual Derby winner Alister, and a succession of winners afterwards. Kingdom is owned by Mr Adolf Basser, who has not had a good horse for some time. ■ The colt gives promise of becom< mg a first-class performer, because nearing the post he was hard pressed, but raised another sprint once he was touched with the whip.