Summer Fair Promoted To First In A.J.C. Derby

Press, Volume C, Issue 29633, 2 October 1961, Page 5

Summer Fair Promoted To First In A.J.C. Derby

SYDNEY. October 1. The New Zealand-bred Summer Fair won the £lO.OOO A.J.C. Derby on a protest yesterday in one of the roughest races seen at Randwick. Another New Zealand-bred horse Blue Era. had finished a short half head in front of Summer Fair, but Summer Fair's rider. T. Hill, lodged a protest on the grounds that Blue Bra's jockey, M. Schumacher. had held him by the leg over the last 50 yards of the race. Two other New Zealand-bred horses Moviegoer and Raajpoot. as well as the favourite. King Brian, had their chances ruined in a scrimmage going out of the straight the first time. King Brian ended up two lengths and a half away third. Yesterday's Derby was the biegest challenge that has bear, made by New Zealand-bred galloners—and it was successful.

Horses bred in New Zealand comprised seven of the 12 run-

ners. They filled the first two places. and Sometime and Moviegoer were closest of the others. Hallstrdng, Paajpoot and Thuries also from New Zealand were In front of the last horse. Kilshery, which was almost pulled up. Sometime finished a disappointing sixth. Sometime was fourth at the half-mile and third into the turn, but failed to sustain his run.

Summer Fair gave Hill his most important win and his first classic victory. Hill’s only other ride in the Derby was on Cruiser last year. Describing the run. Hill said: "I thought 1 was gone at the five furlongs.” Summer Fair dropped back a bit when he got into a scrimmage. However, he ouickly recovered. “He’s a real racehorse and he kicked on well to the last bit.” Hill said Tlie cause of all the interference in the race was the slow early pace. They went out of the straight with most of the riders sitting against their mounts. The result was that Sometime and Kilshery were interfered with, and as they dropped back Moviegoer was knoSed back to last, losing five lengths. Moviegoer was lucky to stand up. So, too, was Raajpoot. which stumbled. The field had sorted themselves out along the back of the track where Emboss was leading from Blue Era. which was taken up near the front by Schumacher. Blue Era was missing the interference and so. too, were Kilshery and Sometime, whose jockeys quickly moved them up to the front when so much interference was taking place. At Ute half-mile Emboss was still in frttnt from Blue Era, which was travelling well, and Kilshery and Sometime were behind them. Moviegoer, right off the track, had made a fast forward move.

Blue Era quickly ran past Emboss when they turned for home and Sometime dropped back. Summer Fair moved up quickly. Summer Fair then ran off the track taking with him King Brian and Moviegoer. Hill straightened his mount and went back on to the rails, where he and Blue Era appeared to come together. Summer Fair got his head in front and looked to have the Derby won but Schumacher almost lifted Blue Era in the last 50 yards and went across the line in front by the narrowest of margins. Hill said after the race that Summer Fair had not raced kindly in the middle sections. He said about the five furlongs Sometime came over close to him and Summer Fair dropped to fifth. It took a while to get Summer Fair going well agaL-.. Schumacher said he had a good run all the way, but Blue Era wanted to lay in all the time.

The apprenlice. K. Smith, blamed King Brian's wide barrier position for the favourite's defeat. The slow pace did not suit King Brian, and Smith said he had to fight him throughout the raee.

Smith said his instructions had been to ride King Brian from behind. He said he thought he had a winning chance at the rise but lost it when the horses in front eased and King Brian shied away. Summer Fair was bred in New Zealand by Mr R. Miller, who made a special trip to see him run yesterday. Result:— AJ.C. DERBY, Of £10.000; one mile and a half. SUMMER FAIR (Summer Time—Scalzo) 8-10 T HUI 1 BLUE ERA ißlueskm II Until ■ 8-10 M. Schumacher 2 KING BRIAN (Lepidoptto— Irish Waters) 8-10 K. Smith 3 Twelve started. Short halt head; two and a half lengths. Time. 2rotn 53sec. Herting: 7 So 1 11 to 3 3 to 1.