AMIGO'S FAILURE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 59, 7 September 1938, Page 15

AMIGO'S FAILURE

FUTURE OF DARK EAGLE

(Special from "Hurry On.")

NEW PLYMOUTH, Sept. 6. With many horses experiencing their first outing for the season the form displayed at the recent Combined Taranaki and Egmont Wanganui Hunt Clubs' Meeting at New Plymouth atr tracted plenty of attention. Special interest centred round the showings of the three-year-olds, as horses of that age usually play a prominent part at spring meetings. ' Last season Amigo was one of the best of the two-year-olds, and he came in for inspection when he paraded for the Waihau Handicap on the opening day. Unfortunately, his showing said little for or against his future prospects, as he was slow to move and was fairly well back on the rails throughout. The heavy track may not have suited him, but he displayed none of the early brilliance that characterised his efforts last season. It is difficult to condemn him on this failure, but he will need to improve considerably if he is to win the Wanganui Guineas on Saturday. As Milanion had done well after his promising showing in open company at the Pakuranga^Hunt Meeting, he was supported with confidence in both of his outings at New Plymouth, but on each occasion when Clifford asked him for an effort in the straight his response was weak. These showings must have disappointed his connections, who are reported to hold a high opinion of the Australian-bred colt. , Maybe if he were allowed time to settle down it is possible that he would display greater determination at the end of his races.

Being by Beau Pere from Lady Cavendish, the dam of Golden Hair, it is only natural that big things have been expected of Lord Cavendish, and he duly won his way out of the maiden class in his first start as a three-year-old when he won the first division of the Wereroa Stakes. Though he displayed plenty of grit to come from an awkward position on the turn to cut down Corato in the last-few strides he did not impress as likely to be firstcla'ss this term. His action is not good, and he does not appear to possess the brilliance that his breeding would suggest. Dark Eagle, a stablemate of Lord Cavendish though in a different ownership, created a favourable impression in the Waverley Hack on the first day. With two furlongs covered he was tailing the field rather badly, being two or three lengths behind anything else. His presence in the event had been almost forgotten until he flashed into fourth .place over the last 50 yards. Last Easter at Feilding he displayed promise, and on his showing last week he should win good races. He is by Bronze Eagle from the Nigger Minstrel mare Priscilla Verne. . The manner in. which Windsor Chief came from the back to cut down the opposition in the Opunake Stakes on Saturday was impressive. He is a big, leggy gelding who takes time to find his feet, but once into his stride he has a great turn of pace. He did little racing last season, but has only to go the right way to reach good class. Last season the Lackham colt Namara showed a good deal of promise, among his performances being a second to Protector in the Welcome Stakes at Ellerslie in the spring. Despite not having raced since last February he was installed a decided favourite on the win machine-when he was produced in the Opunake Stakes. He jumped out cleanly, , but though hard ridden he could not hold his place and drifted to about fifth by the time the home turn was reached. He put in some good work to fill third place, and as the race should work a big improvement in him he should not be long in winning a race.