GOOD STAYING COLT

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 22

GOOD STAYING COLT

CUSTOS JUSTIFIES FAITH

Custos, more than twice as well backed straight out as the next selection, justified the confidence reposed in him by stylishly winning the Nursery Handicap. Though he is apparently not a fast beginner, he was soonunder way from an outside marble, and by the time they reached the straight he was racing up to Karl

in the lead. It was a short struggle between the pair, Karl weaken in/? in the last furlong and Custos going on to comfortable victory by a good length from a line of four others.

It was the fourth race that Custos has had, and the success followed two promising minor placings. It was Hie first time he has been out over six furlongs. The way he finished on over five furlongs twice previously evidently inspired the confidence that was shown in him. He is a well-made chestnut colt by Lord Warden from the Sunny Lake—Marta mare Matata, a winner herself and the dam previously of Bold Brigand and Nightlass, and lie descends from a taproot, imported early in the century,, that left among its first offspring the 1024 Hawke's Bay Guineas winner Mount Marta. He was bred by Mr. G. A. Kain. and was acquired by his present owner, Mr. C. N. Draper, of Dunedin, for 200 guineas at the yearling sales last year. Mr. Draper also races Custodian, both colts being trained at Riccarlon by F. D. Jones. The success of the colt gave L. J. Ellis his first winning ride at the meeting.

Cricket, a colt who has improved a lot recently, fully deserved his second placing. After beginning better than usually he was soon running second to Karl, but he went wide at the straight and lost a considerable amount of ground. When put on the right tack again he finished resolutely to get back in time to take second place off Gay Chief, Impersonater, and Karl, all horses being separated by short heads.

Gay Chief ran a better race than on the opening day, but though he was finishing solidly he did not improve on the position he had held throughout. Impersonater was in the fight all the way down the straight, just weakening at the close. Karl displayed early brilliance, but was beaten by the distance. There was a lengthy interval back to Black Fox, Double Gift, and Studley Royal.