AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 65, 14 September 1926, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

THE WARWICK FARM MEETING.

Following are dippings from exchanges dealing with the Warwick Farm Meeting run: in Sydney ten days ago. Commenting on the race between Ranipion and Limerick in the Hobartville Stakes, -"Pilot": says:—As they paraded the weighing-yard Limerick's condition came in for commendation, but, in general appearance, he suffered by comparison with Rampion, who is of much greater substance ■ than the New _ Zealander. Broadcaster held his own in matter' of looks, as did Valaisian, but Seaplane is a lighter-bodied colt than, he promised:last season. Amusement may not win a Derby, but there is a solid look about him, suggestive of success in, good handicaps later in his career. He will stay, and I expect the same of Vallino. Rampion headed Miss Review at the three furlongs, and there I noted Limerick moving up smartly. He was behind Rampion and Miss Review turning, into the straight, but' wag travelling in a fashion that put his backers on good terms with themselves. When fairly in line for home Cracknell started to use his whip on Rampion,, and Limerick was reducing the gap separating them. Just as we were anticipating a great finish the pinch proved too much for Limerick, and he swerved right out.' That put the result beyond doubt, as when M'Carten straightened him his chance of ■ catching Rampion waß hopeless. As usual, when a horse finishes near the outer" rail, Limerick appeared to be.travelling very fast, but.he was • really not .gaining ; ground on Rampion. The latter beat., him two and a half lengths, and Amusement was three lengths further .oftv I might add' that Rampion's rider kept him going right to the; winning post. • Limerick is of 4he wiry order, but, though I had:an idea he would feel the race less, than Rampion, the latter returned to the paddock lookirig the better of the two. He. had scarcely turned a hair, and did not blow in the least, which bore out the • opinion expressed by his trainer before the race that he lacked nothing in condition. At the same time, racing should benefit Rampion, and, as there is more •of him than there is of Limerick, he should improve more than the latter between no*- and the Melbourne Cup. The lighter scale in that race may, of course, assist Limerick, as he does not look nearly as well up. to weight as Rampion ■ . . After the race F. Jones told me he was by no; means disappointed with Limerick. He had". swerved in . a race he won in New Zealand, and though M'Carr ten was on the look-out for something similar, he was unprepared *at the 'moment the colt got' away from him. ■ Jones thinks the Melbourne way of going will suit Limerick better than • that of Sydney. ■'.■'■■ :'. .'.■..

WINDBAG AND VALICARE,

The Warwick Stakes was ■ run in the manner : anticipated, Valicare taking charge soon after barrier rise, though many of her backers were uneasy when, at the end of the first quarter mile she was only two lengths ahead of AVindbag and Royal Tea. However, after running the first half-mile in AWisec, she had increased her advantage to about four lengths, and they were better pleased.

As Valicare was still going nicely when she came into the straight with a three lengths lead of Windbag, the race looked as good as over. Commencing the last furlong it was. apparent Valicare was tired, but "Windbag was equally so, and had two lengths leeway to make up.

Seemingly he was a beaten horse, but a little further on Valicare was palpably stopping, and Munro, noting this, rode in most strenuous fashion. Windbag responded, and, drawing level with the wearied Valicare a few strides from the post, eventually beat her a half-neck. It could not be said Windbag finished fast, his' chase of the leader had made him too tired for that; and it #vas sheer gameness that enabled him to take the race from Valicare, who, though more tired than he, commenced the last half-furlong with what appeared a winning lead.-

Rapine, in third place, ran on well, but, though by many of the spectators the effort was reckoned good enough to give him an excellent chance of downing Windbag at a longer distance, it must not be overlooked that he was ridden a quieter race than the latter, who had to be bustled to gome extent to keep within striking distance of Valicare over the first five: furlongs.

Of the five riders in the Warwick Stakes three hailed from New Zealand in -JR. Reed, W. H. Jones, and G. Young. It has been recorded that they occupied the three places behind Windbag and Valicare, ridden by the Australians, J. Munro. and H. Jones.

Star Stranger came home strongly in secona place in the Warwick Farm Spring Handicap, but with- no chance of overhauling Pantheon, whom he was giving a long start at the turn. Star Stranger wag in a nice position at the mile. I did not notice what happened to him along the back stretch, writes "Pilot," but at the half-mile he; wag among the tailenders, and the race was practically over when he got out and started "on his hopeless chase of Pantheon. . ■ .