Master John Derby fancy

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32798, 24 December 1971, Page 6

Master John Derby fancy

“The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND. Unless one of the others produces quite unsuspected talent as a stayer only Turbino or Magnifique is likely to keep Master John from a notable Derby double at Ellerslie on Monday. Master John has already won the New Zealand Derby and in the Great Northern Derby he will be chasing the biggest stake yet offered for a three-year-old race in New Zealand.

The Great Northern Derby runners will be competing for sls,ooo—half as much again as the stake last year —and in the two minutes and a half or thereabouts that they are occunied with the mile and a half the winner will earn $9375.

Certainly not all New Zealand Derby winners come north for the Great Northern Derby, a bit less than two months later in the season, and only three horses during the last 20 years have taken both events. Master John won easily at Riccarton and, after being beaten in the Avondale Guineas and Waikato Guineas, came back like a very good colt to all but win at weight-for-age in a very fast 11 furlongs of the Queen Elizabeth II Plate at Paeroa last Tuesday. The short rest from racing between the Wiakato Guineas was evidently what Master John needed. He. had none the best of the running when beaten at Avondale and the very heavy track was against him at Te Rapa but probably more a cause of his failures was the closeness of the races to his South Island trip. Turbino won the Avondale Guineas from end to end and further distinguished himself with a fine run for second behind Rich Return in a weight-for-age mile, the Thames Valley Stakes, at Te Aroha a month later. In between times he came third in the Waikato Guineas in spite of being uncomfortable in the deep footing. Turbino usually tears off in front, a habit which makes many doubt his capacity to go a mile and a half with sped on -all the way. He is a brilliant young horse which might become capable

of anything over a mile; on good footing, and against those of his own age he might last a mile and a half very well indeed. A visitor from Awapuni, Magnifique finished third in the New Zealand Oaks and has otherwise turned in some promising staying performances. It is about time a filly won the Great Northern Derby again because the last successful was Star Belle in 1966 and the most recent before her was Passive in 1957. Fields for the T.A.B. double;— (T.A.B. double closes 1.20 p.m.) TA.B. closes 1.40 p.m.) 2.50 p.m.— QUEEN ELIZABETH HANDICAP $10,000; IJm. 1 4431 SAILING HOME (1) 8-11. Solid stayer which improved steadily to regain winning form last start in Ilf South Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on December 4. Previously third in Waikato Gold Cup. Up in weights now but has to be given great chance. J. Riordan. 2 3364 COLORADO BOY (19) 8-9. Last won Riccarton on November 10 over mile with 8-6. Sixth Thames Valley Stakes and fourth over Ilf. at Paeroa on Tuesday when not greatly impressive. Has to give weight to several more in-form horses. G. Hughes. 3 0142 JOHNNY CASH (6) 8-7. One of the best middle-dis-tance horses which seems to have regained form at exactly the right time. Won Ilf. A.R.C. Alison Cup early in November and fine second last Tuesday over Ilf. at Paeroa behind Bardall. AuckCup minor place-getter but seems at his best this distance, D. Peake. 4 511* QUETTA (7) (-7. Reached high peak of form with wins over Ilf at Trentham on October 23 and l&m at Riccarton on November 13. Meantime beaten over lOf. at Riccarton on December 11 under 8-13. Last start pro- - bably best forgotten. Evidently very capable and is well prepared. L. Carsten. 5 035 GENE (17) 8-4. Once brilliant miler and middledistance runner which looked bit more like his old self when third over lOf at Te Awamutu on Saturday. However well beaten over Ilf. at Paeroa on Tuesday after making pace. Will be up with leaders but likely to have trouble running this distance out. M. Long. 7 9181 EVENSTEAD (16) 8-2. Bit hard to follow but undoubtedly a fine galloper when at top form. Won impressively last start over lOf. at Te Awamutu last Saturday and took Ilf. handicap two starts before at Hawera. Has plenty of pace and should be in it all the way. G. Alexander. 4 0031 HAMUA (2) 0-2. Very good but previously unsound galloper which came back to winning form last start over Ilf at Awapuni. leading all the way. Time before finished third over Ilf. at Otaki. Front runner certain to give plenty of cheek from No. 2 at the barrier. D. McLaren. 8 1340 SHARIF (0) 0-2. Won

impressively four starts back over lOf. at Feilding on Nov. 13. but not one of the better prospects on latest form. D. Harris. 9 2144 WIREMU (19) 8-2. Good stayer which won well three starts back over Ilf. Avondale Gold Cup. Afterwards fourth in Waikato Gold Cup and over lOf. at Te Awamutu. Takes a while to get going but invariably runs on solidly. Would be helped by any easing of the track. G. Willetts. 10 0005 PAPAHU (13) 8-1. One of the very good stayers of last summer which looked closer to form than for a while when fifth last start over Ilf. at Te Aroha on Dec. 11, Likely to continue his improvement. Worth serious consideration. G. Edge. 11 0304 BREATHALYSER (11) 7-9. Mare of some quality which managed sound third three starts back, in the Avondale Gold Cup. Last time came home well from awkward position over Ilf. at Te Aroha on Dec. 11. In good condition and promises to be hard to beat. R. Skelton. 12 7009 DUNMOY (4) 7-9. Showed promise last summer of becoming a good stayer but latest torm well below his best. B. Andrews. 13 2205 FORT STREET (15) 7-9. Best recent form includes close second in Waikato Gold Cup. Since well beaten and likely to be prominent most of the way. G. Chitty. 14 0560 NIPAWIN (18) 7-7. Usually spoils his chance by losing much ground in the early running. Often runs on well but seems hardly capable of giving starts to many in this field. 15 0538 POLE STAR (9) 7-7. Not suited by conditions when well beaten over Ilf at Paeroa last Tuesday. Managed very fair third time before, over Ilf at Te Aroha on December 11. Looks well and is a light-weight worth respect. N. Riordan. 16 5226 LOCHICL FAIR (3) 7-6. Always awkwardly placed last time over lOf at Te Awamutu. Close second two starts back over Ilf at Te Aroha on December 11, after similar placing in South Auckland Cup. Well seasoned and very good prospect altogether. D. Raklandtr. 17 7500 STYLEMAN (12) 7-5. Once well-performed stayer which has been out of form

rather too long to be considered. 18 2000 GLENRONE (5) Too badly beaten latest attempts to be given even a remote chance in field of this I* (14) 7-4. Cleared back company looking a good stayer, with impressive win over lOf at Avondale on November 13 and second behind Mamselle over lOf at Te Rapa on November 20. Could run on to be handy at the finish. (T.A.B. closes 3.10 p.m.) 4.20 p.m.— NEWMARKET HANDICAP $6000; 6f. 1 1 NUNUI (7) 8-12. Brilliant galloper which shotted great form in first race following a spell when, all the way winner over 5Jf at. Te Awamutu on December 18. Seems certain to turn on another very bold display. B. Andrews. 2 1122 PATRIDA (9) 8-8. One

of the most successful visitors to Ellerslie during the last few seasons with an A.R.C. Easter Handicap and Christmas Handicap among his wins on the course. In fine form again and beaten narrowly last start by Rich Return, over a mile at Awapuni on December 18.; Should go well again. J. Harris. 3 1325 PRINCE AMUR A (6) 8-5. Dashing little sprinter which has won twice this course and distance. Failed I to run on sufficiently well last time though, over 6f at Ellerslie on December 4, and might be hard pressed to run this one right out. 4 012 TASHI (13) 8-4. Failed to reach form in Australia during spring but previously one of the top northern sprinters and after a short spell looks right back to his best again. Beaten narrowly last start by Kaukapakapa over a mile at Te Aroha on December 18. Should go well again in spite of wide barrier position. H. Mathews. 5 2334 PESHAWAR (12) 8-2. Model of consistency with a first and six minor placings in seven starts this season. Wide barrier position is big disadvantage, however. 6 2065 ROBIN ROYAL (4) 8-2. Capable sprinter but not at; his best in last two attempts when well beaten. Might perhaps now need longer distance. R. Skelton. 7 4010 MOLTEN'S PRIDE (3) 8-0. Surprise winner two starts back over 6f at Avondale on November 13 but well beaten last start. Often runs well at Ellerslie but may lack the pace to have a chance in this field. O. Peake. 8 1310 CONCH (5) 7-10. In fine form with good win two starts back, over 6f at Te Rapa. Game finisher which could test the speedsters towards the finish. J.

Riordan. 9 57 GLAD EYE (2) 7-4. Speedy and almost certain to be very prominent from his favourable barrier position. 10 HIGH OAL (8) 7-4. Has not raced since last May and even if in top form would be hard pressed to make much impression on this company. 11 4908 POLPERRO (10) 7-4. Showed best foriri of season when close fourth three starts back over 6f at Ellerslie on November 5 but form since disappointing. R.

Holden. 12 3 ST CRISPIAN (11) 7-4. Capable and lightly-raced gelding which showed excellent first-up form when third behind Kaukapakapa over 6f at Te Arolia on December 11. That was first race since last May. Could be an outside chance. G. Chitty. 13 8118 SHIFON (1) 7-4. Brilliant mare which had little chance last time at Te Aroha after slow start from wide barrier position. Easy winner previously at Dargaville and Tauranga. From favourable draw must be a prospect. K. Reggett.