FOR THE ST. LEGER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 49, 27 February 1945, Page 8

FOR THE ST. LEGER

FUTURE OF ARTIFICER (Special to "The Post.") AUCKLAND, This Day. The winners of the three open races at Te Aroha on Saturday, Artificer, Broiedame. and Verdant, are engaged 'again at the Franklin fixture at Te Rapa this Saturday. Artificer is in the Franklin Cup, and the other pair figure in the open sprint. It is probable, unless a change of plans is made in the near future, that not a great deal will be asked of Artificer for the remainder of the < season. His owner stated on Saturday that he would contest the Great Northern St. Leger on Easter Monday and that would conclude his three-year-old campaign. Judging by the manner in which he was running on iat the end of the Herries Memorial | Cup, Artificer should be in the first j flight in the cup and handicap class I next season, for at four years he may i reach his peak. There was no denyling the.merit of his recent victory, and he confirmed the impression thai he is the best of his age, in the north at least.

One of the most impressive hack victories achieved at Te Aroha was that of Theophilus in one of the maiden divisions. He is a fine big chestnut by Theio from Huntaway, and as he is only three years old he seems to hold bright prospects. He outclassed those opposed to him last week and may be given a further opportunity to prove himself in the hack seven furlongs at Te Rapa this week.

Flowerburn, one of the fancies for the open sprint at Te Aroha, was ridden into the ground, so it was not surprising that he retired after going five of the six furlongs. He is not included among the entrants for the Franklin Meeting and it may not be until Ellerslie at Easter that his followers will have a chance of getting their money back. Lou Rosa, as usual, was at the rear of the field in the early stages'of the Herries Memorial and it was only in the straight that he started to make any progress. Then he finished with a glimpse of his old dash and got up for third, but he was only a short head in front of Manuma, who went a surprisingly good race.

In her eleven starts this season, as a hurdler, Our Nation has yet to win although for consistency she would take some beating, for she has been placed on seven occasions, these in-

eluding four seconds. The role of,' runner-up again went her way at Tei Aroha, where she fought out a great* duel with. Bright Fox, only to go* under to him by a short head. The race track has seen .the last of' that good galloper Te Hinemoa, for 1 she has finished racing and will be retired to the brood mares' paddock. Her record this season has been brilliant, for she has won up to a mile and a half, her last success being in the Takapuna Cup a month back, carrying 9.9. One of her best efforts was in running Lord Chancellor to a neck in a weight-for-age contest at Ellerslie at the beginning of last month.