SAPLING STAKES

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 115, 16 May 1936, Page 22

SAPLING STAKES

PROGRESS OF CANDIDATES

WIDE RANGE OF TALENT

; (Special from "Irvington.") i CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Southern Chief's undisputed position is the outstanding two-year-old to this stage of the season can be attributed to two factors. They are early success and, in a lesser measure, circumstance. At Timaru two months ago he proved capable of easily beating a field of ten others of his age over a mile run in 2min 19 3-ssec to'win the initial Timaru Futurity Stakes. This performance, the only winning two-year-old effort to this stage, in itself was 'sufficient to stamp nun as being at least above the average. After a slow beginning he made most of the pace against a strong wind, and won as he liked, the merit of his showing being a good deal better than the time indicated. Since then he ■ has started once, this time against a field oi more seasoned horses at Ashburton, and in finishing fourth in ■ fast time he again gave proof of his abilities. Circumstance has played a part in placing him on a pedestal in that he is trained at Addington, probably the only trotting centre thoroughly exploited by sporting writers, by a trainer

him W# n lai + d v.t0 let Pnlookers see nim go. On the other hand there are two-year-olds at '" headauartlrt whose trainers have, if anything Shunned publicity, whil4 irv man^ gcentres there are youngsters whose only chancf to.ft headlines will be on race day 6 thif- h J, d ye remembered, however that he has been in work.longer and anSXt Ward ? an mosty°feer d and that he is not as open:to-improve--5S as. ar? most of his ■■ opponents. Km v, m" St^ c everything points &nilw' « *i lng w ls P.ositi°n after the baphng Stakes, he will meet stronger opposition from now on, and timenvfll prove the deciding points* FirfnrH the Timaru Futurity Stakes, is one,of the biggest two-year-olds seen out in this or any other season. His size does not suggest yearly ..possibilities, but he has the Pnde,,and-Blair -Athbl; is in the same stable ■as Loyal Pat. ? She has been broken m only a short time, and is most backward. So much so that the id<?a of starting .her in the'.Saplihg Stakes,, in which she still holds her ground;- has been abandoned;', ■. ~.;. -C ->jv ;■".!■■-' .'■'■■■ ■:(; ONE OF THE BEST. ■ Another two-year-old who runs to hZw lS )h ß6£ kyi Direct' and she Probablythe best pacer of her age in commission.: She can go fast with or without hopples, and there-is little doubt that she has a bright future. An injured hind leg set her back slightly in her work recently, but she has recovered completely and iis' doing all that is asked ,of her in ■ good style Becky Direct will be- one, of the strongest contenders for classic honours next month. One of the best performances given by a two-year-old this season went to 'he credit of Effie Parrish when she beat all but Superior Rank-in a maiden race at the recent Oamaru meeting. She .showed speed, and determination, two • necessary characteristics which bring her in line in ; classic calculations. By Guy Parrisli from Lady Effie,-Effle Parrish ls.uiot above the" average on looks, but she has been carefully managed and will, no doubt, make further headway under G. Mouritz, who has taken over Mr: E. F. ,C Hinds's establishment and horses at New Brighton. -. ■ !. In 'the same race at - Oamaru Parisienne, fourth, also caught the eye as a bright prospect. This filly (Bey deOrp—yenot) is one of the most racy types yet produced, and she gives the impression that she is lacking in nothing other than racing experience. JWhen seen out at-the matinee meetings Bapidian gave the impression that he has a good deal to learn before he will be a danger to others of his age' The fact that overchecks, underchecks

snd a large variety of other harness is considered neca^ary to his wardrobe does not make the Jack Potts— Sister Guy colt a likely classic winner, most of -which have been natural pacers in every sense. Still, two-year-olds can make rapid improvement. Royal Cratlan has done more racing than most of the youngsters without showing exceptional promise, although on the good going at Addington he has produced a lair amount of speed when he has had everything in his favour. Unfortunately, good work in private and poor exhibitions in public can be attributed" to several of his breed, and they have yet to- prove their reliability, which may come in time. It was hoped that M. B^ Edwards would produce Frisco Boy at the matinee meeting held at Addington on Thursday, but the- Jock Potts—Z?ra gelding was raced in his stead. The latter showed a nice turn of speed, but it took him some time before he settled down to his work. He paces well, but he is not as good-looking as the majority of his sire's stock. FRISCO BOY'S PROGRESS. Edwards reports that' Frisco Boy is going along the right way, and hel makes no Secret of the fact that he expects,him to prove good. The brother to Frisco Lady was engaged at the Ashburton'County Racing Club's Meeting today. His trainer does not believe in racing youngsters unless they are ready to do themselves justice. A Frank Worthy colt from a Harold Dillon mare showed promise to win his heat at Thursday's matinee meeting, and Purina (Grattan Loyal—Oxford Queen), who has not been long in work, also shaped well. New Brighton reports credit the Jack Potts —Raven's Girl two-year-old with exceptional ability, but hearsay is not a sound foundation for judgment, and more will be seen of her later. With so much promising material under immediate notice, it is liable to be forgotten that the youngsters are spread over a wide area, and that many are not seen until race day. with the result that the locals are often graded higher than their true worth. However, to this stage, racing, matinee meetings, and local track work have shown Southern Chief, Becky Direct, and Loyal Pat in the best lieht. and with Frisco Boy, they are likely to maintain favour until Sapling' Stakes