THE NEW ZEALAND CUP FAVOURITE

Evening Star, Issue 23723, 2 November 1940, Page 8

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP FAVOURITE

■Royal Chief, favourite for next Saturday’s Now Zealand Cup, is by Chief Ruler from tho imported mare Modeste U., who was by Franklin from tho Tracery mare Vogue. Modesto 11. was imported by Mr J. Donald, but was an unlucky breeder for the first four years. Her first foal by Buck’s Hussar and next two foals, all three colts, by Chief Ruler, died, and it was not until her fifth year at the stud that she produced Royal Chief, her first living foal. She missed again next year, and in 1936 had a colt foal to Beau Fere. With this foal at foot she was sold to an Australian buyer. Royal Chief wps selected at tho National yearling sales in 1936 by F. D. Jones for Mr A. K. Firth, and secured for 160 gs. It was Mr Firth's first venture into racing, and ho can have little regret. Royal siChief won £2,290 as a two-year-old, being only once out of a place in 12 starts. His wins included tho Pioneer Handicap at Riccarton, Groat Northern Foal Stakes, Challenge Stakes at Trentham, and tho Champagne and Challenge at Ricoarlon. He completed his first season with three successive victories. At three years ho collected £2,780, winning the Wanganui Guineas, Avondale Guineas, Trentham Stakes, flarcourt Stakes, Now Zealand Derby, and New Zealand St. Logc.r. Again ho missed a place only once in 12 appearances. His most profitable year followed, as, although ho was out of the money ou four occasions in 16 attempts, he was successful in tho Chelmsford Stakes, Colin Stephen Stakes, and Metropolitan Handicap t£3,800) at Randwick, and the Hazlctt Cup and Sockburn Handicap, his aggregate being £7,185. Last season Royal Chief deadheated in the Colin Stephen Stakes and won the Randwick Plate, and on his return accounted for the Canterbury Cup. His earnings amounted to £2,047 10s. To date this term lie lias won the Wellington Handicap and Harcourt Stakes and has been credited with £960. Altogether ho has competed 60 times and scored 21 wins, 15 seconds, and 7 thirds, and has won £15,262 10s.