Smith’s Two Derby Prospects

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30839, 26 August 1965, Page 4

Smith’s Two Derby Prospects

(From the Australian Racing Correspondent of “The Press.”] SYDNEY. The Sydney trainer, T. J. Smith, has prospects of winning another A. J. C. Derby. It certainly looked that way last Saturday when he won races with the New Zealandbred three-year-olds. Prince Grant and Pyramus. Prince Grant, by Alcimedes from Chubin, and Pyramus, by Agricola from Minaea, both particularly pleased Smith by their efforts. It was a day of three-year-old domination at Warwick Farm. Golden Fay, a daughter of Todman, won the Oakdale Novice Handicap and Gay, Gauntlet, a son of Red Gaunt-’ let, won the Warwick Stakes, beating the odds-on favourite.; Eskimo Prince, pointlesslyl and running a track record of;

Imin 23jsec for seven furlongs. It was a day, too, for the New Zealand-breds, for, in addition to Prince Grant and Pyramus, there were two sons of Faux Tirage among the winners. Arc-en-Ciel won the Spring Handicap for which he was at 50 to 1 in a field of six. Hewan landed many big bets, among them one of £lO,OOO to £lOOO. when he showed improved form to win the Rossmore Welter Handicap, run over one mile. The racing clouded, rather than cleared the Derby picture, but, possibly, it restored Fair Summer as a Derby candidate with prospects. In the Hobartville Stakes Gay Gauntlet beat Fair Summer very convincingly. Gay Gauntlet’s defeat of Eskimo Prince was not in itself of sufficient merit to warrant reassessment of the Hobartville Stakes form. Gay Gauntlet had an advantage of 71b allowance on weight-for age because of the conditions of the race. Eskimo Prince, already proved a doubtful champion, was racing for the first time ‘after a spell, and Gay Gaunti let has had enough racing to bring him to a fitness that probably will not be greatly improved.

But Gay Gauntlet's running of a time record does add lustre to the performance, and, there-

fore, in restrospect adds to the performance of Fair Summer in the Hobartville Stakes. DOUBTFUL STAYER Saturday’s run did not show Gay Gauntlet as a stayer, however. Apparently it was a carefully though-out plan that paved the way for his success. Everyone knows that Eskimo Prince is a sprawler at the start of a race, and takes at least half a furlong to settle into his stride It was in this period, and for another furlong that the jockey. W. Canier sent Gay Gauntlet at his top—and the colt can sprint when required. Moore on Eskimo Prince had to treat his mount with reserve, and, in fact, seemed to be riding an excellent race as he strode along well behind Gay Gauntlet. He waited for Camer to give Gay Gauntlet a let-up from top speed before sending Eskimo Prince along to gradually make up the leeway. Moore was ready with his challenge as soon as the two had straightened up for the run to the post. Eskimo Prince quickly gained ground, seeming to have a good winning chance if he could be relied on for "something :ike his best. But Gay Gauntlet now was ready for his fina: sprint, and, when it came, Eskimo Prince was left struggling.

Gay Gauntlet’s trainer, W. Stripe, is not yet convinced that the colt will stay, and is pondering the possibilities of setting Gay Gauntlett for the Ep som Handicap. However, the Rosehill Guineas

may give the better angle on this problem. The bit of longer work Gay Gauntlet may have to get to fit him for that race over one mile and a quarter would not prejudice his chance in the Epsom Handicap were the switch eventually decided as in his best interests. WON AS MILER Prince Grant’s race was run over one mile, and the gelding won running away. He is raced by W. J. Bradshaw, who has won the A.J.C. Derby twice — with Prince Delville and Summer Prince. Pyramus is raced bj’ Queensland owners, Messrs L. G. Greenwood and E. Hil'l. His race was run over one mile and three furlongs and showed him as a stayer, even though the company he met was not particularly strong. Matlock, the son of Bal'lock. brought his recent record to five wins and a second from six starts when he won the Grange Handicap (Im) at Sandown Park. The race sent him up in the betting order on the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup and some charts show him outright favourite for each race.

At Doomben in Brisbane Pavement (by Golovine), Ace of Trumps (by Stokes), and Pole Breeze (by Marco Polo), filled the places in the Transitian Handicap. Newcastle provided another New Zealand winner, Saba King (by Sabaean) w-inning another race for his former New Zealand owner. H. Landon Smith.