TELLER'S FIRST WIN

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1931, Page 6

TELLER'S FIRST WIN

TURX-UP IX JUVENILE RACE

Teller, who must claim near the record number of starts among two-year-olds this season, registered his first success when he scored a comfortable win in the Hopeful Stakes Handicap. Evidently suited by the going, he put in a fine run half-way; down the, straight, and so determinedly did he finish that nothing had any chance of withstanding him. 'He is a brown gelding .by Paper Money from the Vasco mare Tango, dam also of Red Jazz and Jazz Girl, and a descendant of imported Steppe through the successful Stepfeldt branch. He was bought by his owner (Mr. A. F. Symes) at last year's yearling sales for 250 guineas, and he is now in the stable of the Awapuni trainer, Mrs. A. M'Donald.

Prom another good dispatch it was some time before the line was broken, but Hampden, Golden Wings, and Psychologist had the advantage, after a furlong of the journey had been traversed. Hampden' came on to the course proper ahead of Psychologist, . Salt Spray, Golden Wings,, Distortion, Royal Artist, Aspian, ; Flower, and Teller, and was still going comfortably at the distance; 'but Teller and Flower had bigun strong challenges, the former on the outside and the latter on the rail, and though Flower failed by half a neck to reach the leader, Teller, with more determination, headed him fifty yards from the post and came on to win by half a length. Psychologist was a fair fourth, followed by White Squall,' Distortion, Royal Artist, and Korokio, with Red Sun, who was having his first race, a bad last. Aspian carried practically twice - the support that was accorded Hampden and Distortion, with' Korokio and Dnlen also well backed. The winner was ninth favourite at good double figures. Aspian was not badly placed when first picked up, but he failed to finish on under his big weight. Distortion appeared to have a chequered ' passage,; and Psychologist set-, tied Golden .Wings' chance when he came across him approaching the straight. Hampden showed again that he is one of thfe'; best- of the lesser lights among the two-year-olds, and he should develop into a'very, useful performer. Flower is better now than she has been at any other part of-the .season,-but. it is unlikely that she will ever, reach the first flights. Duien drew wide: out^ and did not show up at any .stage.' White Squall is improy-.. ing. Bfoyal Artist and Korokio went fair races only. ': '■ ■' : ' -' ;