BEST CLASS MISSING

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 84, 8 April 1936, Page 15

BEST CLASS MISSING

CHAMPAGNE STAKES FIELD

(Special from "Early Bird.") AUCKLAND, This Day.

In the immediate past one could tell almost for weeks previously what would not only be favourite for the Great Northern Champagne Stakes, but could actually forecast the-winner in one or two picks, with a small field generally competing and the form so exposed. But matters are vastly different in next Saturday's classic, for it is a big field and the four leading two-year-olds—Stretto, Gallic-, Wild Chase, and Custos—are missing, the first-named pair spelling and the southern pair being engaged at Riccarton. Therefore a large field was only to be expected, and of the likely runners one could not forecast with any decree of accuracy what will be made favourite. In this ■ connection the final try-outs may be helpful. It is an accepted fact that a field of good second-rate gallopers usually provides a much better contest, than a field of class performers' dominated by an exceptional performer, such as Bronze Eagle proved five years ago. TALENT OF A SORT. There is plenty of talent engaged in next Saturday's Champagne Stakes, but is it worthy of the name of the event? Time only will tell. In any case there is plenty of form to _go upon, most of it far from outstanding. Of the 20 remaining in after the last payment there will be a few defections, but an almost record field of at least a dozen should parade. It is very unusual for the race in question to be won by a maiden two-year-old, yet this is on the cards' on this occasion. Quadroon, one, of this class, has had only one race, did not show, up then, but is a-fine type. Anion,,'who displayed fine promise in the. spring'and has not raced since.-is in ithe same category. Wagner oh his Ellerslie form at. Christmas looked like being really good, but'in the interim his form has been moderate.'; Maxown is in the same position, and Gay Streak, a stayer, has won only one small race. Golden Blonde is speedy, but Cricket failed to impress when last seen up this way-at Te Aroha. So one could go on. Candico is very fast and has to come from a long way for the race; Moquette has speed but apparently little stamina to run a solid six furlon es with- a slight climb soon after leaving the barrier, a point where many short races are won and lost at Ellerslie. History may repeat itself in the case of Queen's Counsel. Her stablemate Dv Barry won in the middle of the season and then lost form, but came back to win the. Champagne Stakes most convincingly. Queen's Counsel has repeated this programme so far as winning earlier and then losing form is concerned; will she carry precedence to fruition by surprising on Saturday? BEST FORM JUVENILES. On .their form to date, seven youngsters have impressed as being good enough'to succeed in this classic, with the good ones, absent. They are Notium, Cheval de Volee, Ned Cuttle, Merial, Golden Sheila, and the Woodville pair Black Friar and Birthday Party.' • : ' ' ■ . ■ To take the last-named pair first. Unfortunately for backers they will not be coupled so this does not simplify the problem. Both have chances, although the . failure at Pahiatua of Black Friar was not encouraging, even after making allowances for the difficulties he met with. Birthday Party has a fund of speed and this will be helpful. The bigger track at Ellerslie may favour Black Friar. Notium has failed to act up to the promise he displayed earlier in the season. He has certainly been disappointing, for he has had everything in his favour and has failed to act up to his looks.. However, he may be quite smart enough to account for his opponents on Saturday. Cheval de Volee is a colt of possibilities, for in his one outin« to date he proved 100 per cent. good. This was at Pukekohe, where, displaying much greenness, he literally ran away from his opponents in the straight. The Vaals colt has speed and physique and if he has benefited by his one outing he will take some beating. • Ned Cuttle has been a model of consistency. In his last outing, the second day at Te Aroha, he carried 8.7 and was beaten by the now defunct Gay Chief 9.0, so that effort does not make him out a class colt. ■ '.'■<'. • ■' , Merial has perhaps the best record of those engaged,-in that she finished second at her first attempt and then won at her next two outings. A feature of her two efforts at Te Bapa, where she won her double, was her stamina, for she came from well back each day to score, and if she has improved in early brilliance in the meantime then she will be in. the forefront when the battle on Saturday gets warm. Golden Sheila has been making steady progress since she commenced racing and her last outing was successful, that at Paeroa a month ago, when she pleased by the resolute nature of her finishing effort in, a tight tussle. After a close analysis of the Champagne Stakes possibilities one is not able to put the finger on any one youngster and say "That will win." However, of all the prospects one has seen, there is an inclination to favour Cheval de Volee, who would not require to improve considerably on Pukekohe running to beat this moderate field.