SYDNEY'S DERBY DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1931, Page 6

SYDNEY'S DERBY DAY

TRIUMPH FOR DOMINION

(From "Vedette")

SYDNEY, sth October. With Ammon Ra, Autopay, and l'har Lap carrying oil the three big races o the opening day at Randwick, and Concentrate most unlucky to be beaten in the Metropolitan on the second day, Australians are again seeking for the reason of the superiority oi New Zealand horses. So far as the major events have been concerned, the Dominion horses have covered themselves with credit, ialk has been revived of the old days when the New Zealanders swept the board, but it is as well to stick to present-day history. To Ammon Ra fell the honour of being the last gelding to win the Derby, unless the A.J.C. speedily revokes its rules debarring unsexed horses. In addition, he won the richest prize in Australia this season, £6914 to the winner, and what no doubt will be the richest Derby for many a year in Australia. _ There is little to tell about bis victory. On the day he was too superior. M'Carten followed the pacemakers, Cirod and Speedway, for a mile, but they were beaten, and he had to take Ammon Ra to the front a trifle early. It made no difference, for Johnnie Jason, who had trailed him all the way, and had the last run, was quite outclassed. Ammon Ra settled all arguments about his staying ability, and his trainer was satisfied enough with his recovery after his race to hurry him off next day to Caulh'eld for the Caulfield Guineas. Considering he was a sick horse only a fortnight ago, Johnnie Jason ran a line race. He would have won nine Derbies out of ten.

Illustrious, the Victorian hope, was something of a disappointment, for, even allowing tor a little ill-luck in running, his fourth place was not very impressive. Keally, the. feature of the race, outside of Ammon Ra, was Koomcela's dash into third place from an impossible position. In this brother to Amouuis, G. Price will have a top-class autumn three-year-old. _ Oratorian was rather out of place in the field, for he had not been given a Derby preparation, but his owner wished to have his colo'ura carried in the classic event.