SMALL CLASSIC FIELDS
Although the fields for the Great Northern Oaks and Great Northern St. Leger are so small this year, presumably because o£ the presence of Silver Scorn, it is really nothing unusual for the races to fill so poorly. , Indeed, it is contrary to precedent for the races to be contested by large fields. - ■ The Oaks wag first contested in 190G, and for the first two .years there were only four runners, the same ngmber as the possible field on Saturday. In 1908 there were seven runners, and this number, has been exceeded only by one in the remaining; history [of the race. In 1909 only Gold Lace and Chantreuse went to the post, in 1022 only Bonny Doreen and Cleasanta, and in -1923 only Enthusiasm, mid Refinement. 'On four occasions, there' have been only three runners. .
The St. Leger was instituted ten years later than the Oaks,- and only once lias a field as big as" eight contested it, that being three years ago. There: have been four runners on several occasions, and in the first three years there were only three runners. On two of .the latter occasions a filly scored. In 1916 (the in-augural-year). Desert Gold followed up her Oaks success by beating two colts, Marco Bello and Sea De'il, and in 1018 Bonnie Maid, second' to Impediment in the Oaks, comfortably, beat Estland and Demotic. Three runners, however; is the smallest 'field yet to have paraded for .tho.St. Ldger. »;;, .••:•■■■,/ •■,;.;■■ : :
SMALL CLASSIC FIELDS
Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 85, 11 April 1933, Page 6
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