THE DERBY Breasley’s Mount Might Not Start

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30143, 29 May 1963, Page 4

THE DERBY Breasley’s Mount Might Not Start

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, May 27.

“Scobie” Breasley’s Derby mount, the Irish colt, Fern, might not run in the Epsom Derby on Wednesday.

London’s two evening newspapers splashed the news across their front pages today. The “Evening News,” under the headline, “Scobie Derby Shock,” quoted Fern’s owner, Mrs Arpad Plesch, as saying: “Unless it rains we shall not run.”

Mrs Plesch, a guest at the Press Club Derby lunch, explained: “Fern does not like hard going. We will take a final decision tomorrow' after I have seen the course.” And the weather forecasters said today .that the outlook was “mostly dry,” the “Evening News" reported. Breasley, when told his 20/1 mount might not start, commented: “Naturally, I would be very disappointed but there, is nothing I can do about it.”

Four othe* Australian jockeys, as veil as Breasley. have mounts among the 28 final cceptors.

They are Pat Glennon (Deep Gulf, 33/1), Garnet Bougoure (Ragusa, 20/1), Ron Hutchinson (The Willies. 66/1) and Bill Williamson (Final Move, 12/1). Tudor Gay, which was to be ridden by the Australian, R. Maddock, is not among final acceptors. Latest betting makes the French-trained Relko favourite at 4/1 followed by Corpora, trained in France by the Australian, Ernie Fellows, at 13/2, the “Evening News” said. Hutchinson, commenting on his mount The Willies, said: “He is a long price, but I am hoping he will do his best. I would be delighted if he got in the first three.” The “Evening Standard" said Mrs Plesch, in her forecast of the winner, thought Williamson’s mount. Final Move had “a very good chance.”

The owner of Corpora, an American oilman, Mr Robin Scully, said his horse was fit and well and had “am excellent chance.”

Corpora is the international horse of the race. The colt, son of the greart Italian sire, Ribot, is owned by an American, trained in France by an Australian, and will be ridden by an Englishman. Lester Piggott. Reuter said this year’s Derby, with a first prize of £35.000 was one of the most open since the race began in 1780.

The police are preparing for a record crowd. The customary Derby fun fair is already in full swing ait the Epsom Downs course, and gypsies on piebald ponies are roaming the lush, green grounds. Fortune-tellers, and tipsters with sealed envelopes, are bustling around looking for customers.

Final acceptors for the Derby are:—

Neverlone (D. Keith), Count Albany (F. Palmer). African Drum (D. Smith), Duodance (J. Mercer), Relko (Y. SaintMartin). Credo (P. Matthews). Iron Peg (W. H. Carr), Coliseum (E. Hide) Hanassi (R. P. Elliott), Tarqogan (W Snalthi Deep Gulf (T. P. Glennon). Vakil-ul-Mulk (A. Harrison). Ragusa (G. Bougoure), Hya-

cinthe (g. Clayton), Fern (A Breasley). Hullabaloo (E. Smith), The Willies (R. Hutchinson), Merchant Venturer (G. Starkey), Fighting Ship (S. Smith). Corpora (L. Piggott). Singer (J. Uttley), Fair Decision (W. Swinburn), Final Move (W. Williamson), Duplation (J. Lindley), Portofino (W. Rickaby). Happy Omen (F. Durr), Coffre Port ( —). Nil Desperandum (—) All carry nine stone. The acceptors are subject to overnight declarations, which will be announced tomorrow. The connexions of Coffre Fort and Nil Desperandum have said they are unlikely to run.