CHELMSFORD STAKES

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 60, 8 September 1945, Page 12

CHELMSFORD STAKES

RANDWICK CLASH

DOMINION'S PROUD RECORD

Transport difficulties prevented New Zealand being represented in the Ghelmsford Stakes, the weight-for-age race at the Tattersall's. Club Meeting at Randwick, during the war. This is a race in which this Dominion claims a proud record; indeed, New Zealandbred horses won the . event for six successive years prior to 1942. Although not represented in 1942 there was a link between the winner, Rimveil, and the Dominion, for he was by Veilmond, a Limond horse who was bred here. In 1918 Gloaming made an auspicious debut in the Chelmsford Stakes, and between that date and 1933 New Zealand took the honours through Rapine, Limerick (three times), Phar Lap, Ammon Ra, Game Carrington, Gold Rod, and Mala. Great Sequence. In 1936 the Dominion enjoyed a great triumph in the Chelmsford Stakes when three New Zealand-bred horses, Gold Rod, Mala, and Custos, filled the first three placings. Twelve months later Mala took the honours, and then came Royal Chief and Defaulter in the two succeeding years. The 1939 contest was another debacle for the Australian-bred candidates, for Beau Vite and Royal Chief followed Defaulter home. In the following spring Beaulivre and High Caste filled the first two placings, and Beau Vite stepped in to carry the record still further in 1941. Hostilities Resumed. The friendly rivalry has now been resumed, and Sleepy Fox, winner of the Canterbury Stakes at his first start in Australia, was down to contest the event at Randwick today. As Magnificent, hailed as a champion by Australians, was due to clash with the Auckland sprinter, the race would attract a lot ot interest on both sides of the Tasman. The race is run over nine furlongs under w.f.a. scale, but with penalties and allowances, and both Sleepy Fox and Magnificent had an additional 71b to carry. The fact that Sleepy Fox was burdened with 9.11 influenced Darby Munro in his decision to take the mount on the lighterweighted Shannon (8.10), and New Zealanders will regret that a change in riders had to be made for our solitary representative. That is, if he went to the post this afternoon. The Chelmsford Stakes is a sweepstakes event of £10 each, with £1000 added, so the prize is well worth winning. Coming: Along. The Coronach —Cocoanut filly Palm Bearer, who finished second to the Trentham-trained Omit in the second division of the two-year-old parade at the Grand National Meeting, had to be eased up owing to developing a cold. However, she has apparently made a good recovery, for she is booked to race at Wingatui. Still Burly. Golden Souvenir is making favourable progress towards racing . pitch. He is still a trifle burly and may be all the better for a race at Ashburton. He will then go on to the Otago Hunt fixture. Good Type. The Southland owner Mr. C. F. Lowis reported to have a good type of a mare in work. A five-year-old by Straightcourse from Solo Flight (by Song Bird), she will race as Straight Flight. He has also a three-year-old filly by Siegfried from Cough, and a two-year-old filly by Man's Pal from the Australian-bred Amelita. Not Tempted. The offer of 2000 guineas was not sufficient to tempt the owner of Pensacola to quit the Golden Eagle gelding. Since winning a novice event at Ashburton in September last, Pensacola has gone far, having been the winner of the New Zealand Derby and Canterbury Cup, both being 14 mile events. In addition, he beat the open sprinters at Riccarton at Easter, and was placed over vai-ying distances on five other occasions. He started off the current term with a great second in the Paparua Handicap, 7 furlongs, under 10.0, and viewed through the figure paid for Stenelaus he is. worth more than the- figure offered for him. Changed Stables. Little Secret has been placed in A. B. Stove's stable at Riccarton with a view to racing at Ashburton or Geraldine. Now a seven-year-old, it is a long time since the Man's Pal gelding contributed towards his keep, although he did well as a four-year-old. Lady Peters, the grandam of Little Secret, sported silk only once, and of her progeny, Jedforest, Mother Hubbard (dam of Little Secret), and Glencathray, the first-named was the only one to race. Should Improve. As a two-year-old last /term Silver Pal, by Man's Pal from the Arrowsmith mare Aroarc, won the Ngamotu Juvenile Handicap at New Plymouth in March, and she; should go still further this term. Dearo (by Defoe), the eldest of the family, showed useful form in the south, being a winner on three occasions. Fallen Short. The progeny of the Day Comet mare Aurora Borealis have hardly reached I the heights of their dam, who was a grand jumper for her inches. Hopes were entertained that Arctic Dawn would follow in her footsteps, but he disappointed. The four-year-old daughter of Aurora Borealis, Fading Light (by Defaulter), has been placed under R. Wilson's care at Riccarton by her breeder, Mr. J. H. Grigg. Back In Work. The Solicitor General—lceni four-year-old Air Lord, who won a division of the maiden stakes at the Christchurch Hunt Meeting as a two-year-old, has returned to the active ranks as a member of D. O'Connor's team at Riccarton. He registered one second in five starts last season, but should improve on his record. New Appointment.

For some years past Mr. W. P. Russell, of Palmerston North, has been handicapper to the Dunedin Jockey Club, but the position will be filled by Mr. H. Hassall, of Timaru, at the club's Spring Meeting on October 6.