OVERSEA ODDMENTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 79, 16 March 1935, Page 2

OVERSEA ODDMENTS

The New Zealand bred Iliad colt Homer, writes “Vedette,’’ met his master in Young Idea in the Sifts’ Produce Stakes at Flemington. Homer and another Alaorilander, Lady Primrose, hotli began well and were in the leading bunch until well into the straight. Homer held on, but Young Idea was too sturdy at the finish and beat him by a bare half-length. Young Idea is a fine type of colt, but had been giving his trainer some trouble. It was reported that he was a trifle sore after the race. Homer was not quite at his top in Alelbourne and he should be much harder to beat when he comes back to Sydney. A Costly Favourite. Arachne’s defeat in the V.R.C. New market Handicap was a severe blow to her supporters. The filly had been a very firm favourite for the race since her win in the Oakleigh Plate, two weeks previously, and her connections would not hear of her defeat. When she was clear of those on the outside of the course half-way through the race, she seemed to have a great winning chance, but after passing the furlong post she tired very quickly', and finished only ninth. It was the old story of the application of the weight-for-age scale. Arachne, undoubtedly a great filly, had 41b. more than weight-for-agc, but. Count Ito, au improving four-year-old, had Bib. less than weight-for-age. In South Africa. Cabled advice of the further success of New Zealand-bred horses in South Africa was received last week. Wakatipu (Paper Money—Philomela) won an important sprint event, and The Haka (Lord Quex —Dominant) ran second, beaten by half a head, in a mile and a half race. Both horses are owned by Sir Joseph Robinson. The Khedive, who was recently purchased by the same owner from J. AL Cameron, was booked to be shipped from Melbourne to South Africa on Saturday. Gold Trail and King March. For tried two milers King March and Gold Trail aro not badly treated in the Sydney Cup with 8.5 and 8.3 respectively, writes “Hurry On.’’ It will be interesting to see whether Gold Trail will continue to follow in the footsteps of her sire’s other solid stayer, Admiral Drake. He followed up a second in the New Zealand Cup by a win in the Auckland Cup, then going on to Randwick to beat all but Johnnie Jason in the Sydney Cup. Gold Trail has equalled Admiral Drake’s record in the New Zealand and Auckland events, and it remains to be scon whether she can go one better at Randwick on Easter Alonday. May Drop Minimum. If, at the end of this month. Golden Alilier should win his second Liverpool Grand National with 12st. 71b. lie will, unless conditions are changed, stand an excellent chance of a third win next year. The present maximum is 12st. 71b., and the minimum lOst. 71b, This year 32 of the 60 nominated had lOst. 71b. Golden Aliller’s success for the second time—if it comes off—may' be met next year by dropping the horses now nearest him in the weights, which r ill place those on the minimum at a disadvantage. In the circumstances, it would not be surprising if next year’s

minimum were altered to 10 stone, and that, in conjunction with other conditions attached to the race, would still keep out those with poor credentials. Nearly Lost Regarding England’s champton steeplechaser, Golden Alilier, Aleyrick Good told the following story in a recent issue of the London Sporting Life: “When the son of Goldcourt was a foal his owner was a little pressed for money. He, therefore, took two brood mares and their foals to Dublin, hoping to raise £2OO on them. The financier asked the owner where the animals aould be seen, and the reply was, ‘They are in your yard. I have brought them with me.’ Dealer and vendor went to view the animals, but one of the foals could not be found. Eventually, he was discovered two streets away, with little urchins playing with him, and regaling him with apple and potato peel! That foal was Golden Alilier. The money was not advanced for the four animals and the owner had to return home with them.’’ Golden Aliller’s trainer, Briscoe, said he could not vouch for the story, but it had been related to him, and he believed it to be true.