PHILCOURT FAILS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 5, 6 July 1939, Page 13

PHILCOURT FAILS

KING MUSK OVERRATED

(Special from "Early Bird.")

AUCKLAND, July 4,

One of the disappointments of the current season has been Prince Rangi, whose record has not been nearly as good as one or two of his successes would lead o»e to believe. Here is another galloper that would do well among the hurdle ranks, and it would not be surprising if he was tried out at this department in the new season.

Philcourt had another failure chalked against him at Te Awamutu, although he was closer at the finish of the Woodstock Stakes than at any stage of the contest. He had a rather strenuous time in the spring and. summer, and his racing on hard tracks could not have helped himv As a four-year-old next term he promises to develop into one of the best handicap horses in the province. The three-year-old Phildale showed a lot of pace among the hack sprinters at Te Awamutu, but again stopped badly when it came to the business end. He comes from the same family as those noted mudlarks White Comet, Paddon, and Young Paddon, but it does not look as if he will be in their class unless he develops stamina. The going was nice and easy without being [actually heavy last week, and this should have suited the gelding. There was some solid support for King Musk in the Hurdles at Te Awamutu, and according to course whisperers he was certain to win. He showed up for most of the trip and up to a mile he looked likely to pull it off, but he was a beaten horse half a mile from Home. He is not as good as his Pukekohe win suggested. Two well-beaten runners in the Paterangi Handicap at Te Awamutu were .Marie's Acre and Brazilian, but it was through no fault of the horses nor their riders that they had little chance. Both were cut off early after being well out from the barrier, and Brazilian in particular was sent right back on the rails. They looked well-, and it is probable that this pair will be good horses to .follow early next season, for they are to be kept in light work.