PROMISING NOVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 77, 27 September 1941, Page 14

PROMISING NOVICE

SULTAN'S PRIDE IS GOOD

(By "Ariki Toa.")

One of the most promising novice pacers raced at the Wellington Meeting was the Wrack gelding Sultan's Pride, who succeeded in opening his account in the Sharpe Handicap. Although his previous form was by no means impressive he was backed down to solid second favouritism, and that there was some reason for the confidence was illustrated by the effortless style of his victory. His driver was content to allow Centaurus to shelter him from the southerly wind, but when a little extra was required in the straight Sultan's Pride strode away without being really extended. There was a grace and style all of its own about the victory, and many good judges will be astray if the son of Wrack and Eileen Dillon does not develop into a splendid stake-earner. Incidentally, among the remaining contestants for the Sharpe Handicap was Loyal Jack, who is an elder half-bro-ther by Grattan Loyal to the winner. A line upon his relative ability could not be gained owing to his breaking at the end of the first furlong and thereby losing all chance.

At Least Consistent.

Centaurus has been racing in the maiden ranks for at least three years, and surely a winning bracket is overdue for the David McElwyn gelding. No matter how well he races he invariably strikes something a shade too good in form, and has to be content with some of the minor money. At Hutt Park last Saturday, Centaurus went two of his best races to date, but the best he could secure was two second placings.

Improved Pacer,

A couple of seasons ago Bing Crosby was generally reckoned one of the most disappointing pacers yet imported from America, but a long spell, during which time he was gelded, appears to have improved him greatly, and he now promises to develop into an excellent stake-earner, especially over short distances. In the Wilford Memorial at Hutt Park he revealed brilliant speed to reach the front and set a willing pace, but he was weakening before reaching the straight and was really one of the first horses beaten. However, it was a different tune in the Wellington Handicap, which was run over two furlongs less, v for he raced to the van inside the first furlong and had most of the field scratching 'for pace. He ran out an easy winner. There was a great deal of merit in his 2min 46 l-ssec for the mile and a quarter, and the effort was indicative of better things to come.

Well Deserved.

Consistency has been a feature of the recent races of Happy Locanda, and if ever victory was justly deserved it was the success of the Happy Voyage gelding in the Wilford Memorial last Saturday. There was any amount of merit in the effort, for he was required to weather rather a rocky passage to run into a handy position in the first half-mile, but once he got up to third he always appeared to have the edge on the leaders. It was rather an impressive victory, and now that he has broken the "ice" he may go on to reach a much tighter mark. Again on the Mark.

The Washdyke trainer P. P. Gallagher was successful in winning the two trophies presented to the most successful trainer and driver at Hutt Park last season, and it must be admitted that he has got away to a good start in the premiership for the present term. He came north with only Happy Locanda, and won the Wilford Memorial. Gallagher stated last Saturday that Special Force, who promised well but suffered a lapse of form towards the end of the season, is likely to be brought back into . work shortly.