STAR HANDICAPPER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 99, 24 October 1938, Page 13

STAR HANDICAPPER

SLY FOX NOTCHES DOUBLE

Sly Fox gave further demonstration of his quality in the Watkins Handicap. In the closing stages he simply swamped his opposition for brilliance, and he went on to score by a length and a half from Dictate. With such stamina as he seems to possess he stands out on recent form among the present acceptors for the New Zealand Cup. He is now to run next month, and he will be ridden again by J. McInally. Sly Fox took up a position in the running half a dozen to eight places back, and he held on to that berth without apparently being required for any special effort. It was when the field was swinging into the straight that he began his sterling run round, ana nothing could withstand his claim. This was a field of the best quality, which proved more than any other race he lias had to date just what an outstanding handicap performer he has beNo Hunting Song horse has ever won! at two miles yet, but Game Carrington put up a great effort in a Mel-j bourne Cup under top weight and jusfr missed a place; and if Sly Fox's fullbrother Sporting Blood had been more sound afc certain stages of his career

he would have been a two-mile prospect. Sly Fox has still to be tested for real stamina, but on all he has done lately he seems to possess it. Last year Cerne Abbas won the Watkins Handi-! cap at Trentham and went on to take] the New Zealand Cup. With his two successes at the meet-: ing Sly Fox has had-some vengeance j for his ill luck in July, when he | missed the coup that was laid on himj on the final day, though he was later awarded the race when Bluffer was found ineligible to compete. If he had been first home in that race, or Bluf-l fer's ineligibility had been discovered j before the dividends were paid, Sly Fox would be in Melbourne now and probably taking his place in next week's Melbourne Cup. Sly Fox is being raced by his breeder-trainer, Mr. A. Mclntosh, of Gisborne, and he looks like maturing into a horse of the same quality of his full-brother. Sporting Blood. It was not till towards the close of last season that he struck real form. In all he has started only 19 times for six wins and £1592 10s in stakes, a portion of which (£150), earned at Trentham in July, his owner has not yet received. Dictate, improving with his race on the first day, was a meritorious second to Sly Fox. He moved round the field to fourth before the straight, and then dashed to the front just past the false rail. Though finally unable to withstand the favourite's claim, he comfortably defeated everything else. In big races this horse has been unlucky with his minor placings. His thirds last season included the C.J.C. Jockey Club Handicap, Craven Plate, Great Easter, and Great Autumn, and also the Autumn Handicap at Trentham, where he won in January. Cricket, who was finishing on well in the Wainui Handicap on Thursday,1 held a forward position throughout Saturday's race, following Silver River and Francis Drake most of the way to the straight. Under vigorous punishment he kept going, and his connections were rewarded with a fine place dividend. This was perhaps his best form yet, and he should turn out a profitable proposition' in due course for Mr. H. F. Wood, who bought him in the autumn and has since given him every chance of developing the talent he showed among the hacks last summer. Boomerang came from a long way back for a close; fourth, and, as he seems to be improving with every outing, he is at least an. outside prospect in a race like the New Zealand Cup. He was a trifle sore after Thursday's race, but once warmed up he finished resolutely again on Saturday. Francis Drake joined Silver River in the van at the seven furlongs, but after then leading to the straight with this horse he tired into fifth. It was his best recent effort, and he is liable shortly to return to his. best autumn form, though he does not look like ever being the true stayer that his fullbrother, Admiral Drake, was. Master Cyklon, Silver River, Ned Cuttle, and Trench Fight all ran fair races, but the only one ever a likely place-getter was Silver River, who bowled along in front till the straight. Trench Fight was held back m his field on this occasion, but he went over a lot of ground and failed to come home when asked to make a claim. Tidewaiter was running on at the end. after being carried out early. Kmnoull wide out at the start and off the course early, was never in the serious running. Willie Win pulled up lame. Tiger Gain was only briefly prominent along the back. Siegmund again ran poorly.