THE TURF IN ENGLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18586, 19 December 1923, Page 14

THE TURF IN ENGLAND.

THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE STAKES

}' London papers now to hand bring details of the race for the Cambridgeshire . Stakes, for which ? the French colt ;?Epiftard was beavily supported, only, however, to be sensationally defeated by ■ the English^filly Verdict. Though Epinard wag called upon U. carry 9.2. his connections apparently feared nothing, for he was daubed to the front dirwtly the barrier shot up, and the favourite, ■carrying the field along at a great late, was first to the, " dip." Verdict here dnallenged her French rival; and, amid a Mene pi intense excitement, she wore him down in the final stage and won by a neck. The honours of the race were, however, unatintinxly given to the French colt, who wa* conceding hie rival 181b. Epjuard is spoken of as a super-horse, and. considering that he , conceded Pharos, runner-up in ' the Derby, Sib. and' the latter could only finish fourth. in the Cambridgeshire Stakes, it makes Epinard fully entitled to high distmction. ~ , , <'. ■:■■■ '

~.'' ' PAPYRUS V. 2BV. ' j,:. .. In referring to the-defeat of the English colt Papyrus in the match at New York with the American colt Zev. ! " Robin Hood" writes :—•" Papyrus slipped and floundered about in the slush, being shod with ordinary racing l : plates.. Whereas Zev was equipped with the shoes' (forbidden in England) with toe-clips and heel caulks. Altogether the match was-a farcer for it was like a pedestrian running against another with the one in ordinary rubber, running .shoes and the other, in spiked shoes.:' No ! wonder the American colt -won—but if he comes over here next year for a return match on turf I shall exoect Papyrus to turn the tables on him, and. what is more important, bo does Steve Donoghue." • ' ■;

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, ~•;• H.H, the Aga Khan •Us voted to be very advantageously placed to furnish more than? one important classic winner next season, , for the coming three-year-olds in his stable include Mumtaz Mahal , (by ■■■ The ' Tetrarch)/ Diophdn (by Grand .'Parade}, -and Salmon Trout . (by The Tetrarchl, , all \of which have won marked .distinction, this. year. The Indian,, noble'; certainly' deserves•; to L - own illustrious winners: 4 for price ,does not atop him at the.':: ringside. For -' the*. three hones named above he, paid 16,100gns. ;.; >t ; ; It ' can be, said with due emphasis that ! Stephen Donoghue does not allow the.grass to grow under his feet 'in- pursuing his pro-: fession > a* ;a • jockey, and. this year he ias' the remarkable record of riding in Great Britain, France, America, and Belgium, and, as a London- cablegram recently to band stated' he ' was booked -, to proceed to India, be may, vall going well, be found riding in the Far East ere the year closes.