THE TWO-YEAR-OLDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19974, 16 June 1928, Page 15

THE TWO-YEAR-OLDS.

REVIEW OF FORM. BY PHAETON. A survey of two-year-olds is always invested with a great deal of interest. Everyone with a knowledge of the subject is fully aware that it is not always safe to base opinions on two-year-old form as a guide to three-year-old prospects, tbe Racing Calendar furnishes many pointed illustrations where horses moderate at two years old have developed marked brilliancy as they aged. Still, one likes to learn of a youngster displaying some of tbe characteristics of the racehorse in galloping over the grass, and so " form" at two years old, if only as a btudy, is rendered highly interesting. In setting out to consider the performances of the youngsters that have carried silk on tho New Zealand turf this season first place must bo given to a filly, and that one is EPISODE. The chestnut filly contested eight races and she won five of her engagements, and the fact of her having disposed of Prince Humphrey, Staghunter and Raasay in the decision of the Great Northern Champagne Stakes showed her up in attractive colours. Episode is a solidly-built filly, she is a bold galloper, and altogether it can be said her prospects of earning distinction at three years old can bo regarded as of the bright order. The leading lines in the pedigree of Episode read as follows: Sire: Limond, by Desmond (son of St. Simon) from L'Abbesse de Jouarre, by Trar>pist (son of Hermit) from Festive, by Carnival (son of Sweetmeat). Dam: Homage, by Absurd (son of Sundridge) from Eulogy, by Cicero (son of Cyllene) from Kalibia, by Upas (son of Dollar). PRINCE HUMPHREY. One of the most consistent youngsters of the season was Prince Humphrey. Tho A.R.C. Welcome Stakes in the spring and tho Royal Stakes in the summer can be regarded as the best performances registered by the bay colt. Prince Humphrey is a colt of good physique, and, as -iie is to l:o accepted as a very genuine sort, there is some reason to view his three-year-old prospects in a hopeful vein. There is a very great deal to arrest attention in studying the pedigree of Prince Humphrey, and nob the least is that on the dam's side he traces to the Sheen mare Otterden. who won enduring fame as the dam of stout-hearted Martian. Tho following are the leading lines in tho pedigree of Prince Humphrey: Sire: Duke Humphrey, by John o' Gaunt (son of Isinglass) from Valve, by Velasquez (son of Donovan) from Gas, by Ayrshire (son of Hampton). Dam: Shepherd Princess, by Shepherd King (son of Martagon) from Otterform, by Multiform (son of Holchkiss) from Otterden, by Sheen (son of Hampton). RAASAY. This colt was seen out under silk on 13 occasions and four wins went down to bis credit. Though a defeat was connected therewith, it could be solidly contended that the leading performance for which Raasay was responsible was in connection with the North Island Challenge Stakes at Trentham in April last, when he ran the brilliant Reremoana to a neck for first honours. The fact of the seven furlongs attached to that race being compassed in lm 25s shows that there was a hot pace on all the way. Based on that performance, Raasay was expected to wind up attractively at two years eld, but he was decisively defeated in the Great Northern Champagne Stakes, and his other performances at tho back end did not servo to extend his circle of admirers. Summed up on his breeding, Raasay should be able to stay, for his pedigree reads as follows: Sire: Lord Quex, by Lemberg (son of Cyllene) from Lady Quex, by Florizel 11. (son of St. Simon) from Gay Duchess, by Rosicrucian (son of Beadsman). Dam : Tressida, by Tressady (son of Persimmon) from Princess Melton, by Duke of Melton (son of Melton) from Chand Bee Bee. by Royal Hampton (son of Hampton). STAGHUNTER. When Staghunter disposed of the opposition at the business end of the trip in the decision of the Great Northern Foal Stakes it seemed as though tho Australianbred colt had a good chance to be accepted the leading juvenile of the season. Subsequently, however, Staghunter met with defeats which served to take the gilt off 1 is triumph in the Foal Stakes. In the matter of physique there is a lot to admire in Staghunter. and, with a pedigree well studded with illustrious names, he ought to be a good thi*e-year-old. The Bend Or strain is the feature in the pedigree of Staghunter, the leading lines of which read as follows: Sire: Quantock. by Thrush (son of Missel Thrush and grandson of Orme) from Rock Egg. by Ayrshire (son of Hampton). Dam: Polaris, by The Welkin (son of Flying Fox and grandson of Orme) from Polaire, by Bobadil (sou of Bill of Portland). CHILDSPLAY. In the early spring Childsplay displayed such a. fine dash of pace as to favour the prediction that she would be the filly of the season. She failed, however, T to stay out the six furlongs in the Great Northern Foal Stakes, and she was off the scene in the autumn. Childsplay carries a racy appearance, but she is, I think, more likely to be known as a sprinter than as a stayer. The leading lines in the pedigree of Childsplay read as follows: Sire: Autumnus, by Treadmill (son of Bill of Portland) from Goldleaf. by Stonyhurst (son of King of Clubs) from Golden Crest, by Apremont (sou of Mortemer). Dam: Helter Skelter, by Antagonist (son of Soult) from Fleet-foot, by Clanrannld (son of St. Leger) from Safeguard, by Maxim (son of Musket). PRICKLES. The surprise victory which she registered in the decision of the C.J.C. Champagne Stakes at Riccarton on April 9 was the event to bring Prickles into the limelight, and. as she was timed to run the six furlongs attached to that race in lm 13s, she was credited with a good performance. Prickles was bred at Stonyhurst by Sir George Clifford, and the leading lines ill her pedigree read as follows:—Sire: Panmure. by Forfarshire (son of Roynl Hampton) from Panacea, by Cyllene (son of Bona Vista) from _ Quintessence, by St. Frusquin (son of St. Simon). Dam: Brambletye, by Treadmill (son of Bill of Portland) from Bonnie Brae, by Clanranald (3011 of St. Leger) from Golden Crest, by Apremont (son of Mortemer). f PRODICE. This fillv early developed the galloping trait, for sno won her initial engagement—the Avondale Stakes—and she wound up with a meritorious win by carrying 9.2 home in front of a. field of 11 ill contesting the Victoria Handicap. Prochco carries the appearance of one that will be heard 01 at three years old. The leading lines m the pedigree of Prodice read as follows: Sire: Catmint, by Spearmint (son of Carbine) front Red Lily, by Persimmon (son of St. Simon) from Melody, by Tvnedale (son of Warlock) from Glen, by Adventurer (son of Newminster). Dam: Hyades. by Hymettus (son of Cyllene) from Straga, by Birkenhead (sou of Orme) from Watchet, by Sir Lancelot (son of Dreadnought). MITHRA. This Australian-bred filly won a, couple of races, and. though there was nothing very remarkable in her form, it can be said that she is of solid physique,, and she carries tho look of one that will improve with age. Mithrai is stoutly bred, the leading lilies in her pedigree being as follows: > Sire: Australian Sun. by Sunstar 'son of. Sundridge) from , Rosewarne. by St. Frusquin (son of St. Simon) from Electric Rose, by Lesterlin (son of Gallinule). Dam: Bonum, by Bron*ino (son of Marco) from Lager, by Maltster (son p Bill of Portland) from Egale, by Goldsbrough (son of Fireworks). KNIGHTLIKE. This colt led off with a win, but his subsequent form was a row of disappointments. In appearance Knightliko is , ordinary stump, but maybe ho will furnish a. bit as age comes to him. Ihe leading lines in Knichtlike's pedigree read as follows: Sire: Paladin, by Polymelus (son of Cyllene) from Cestus. by St. Amant (son of c«t. Frusquin) from Abbott's Anne, by Rightaway (son of Wisdom). Dam: Sweet Charity, by Diadumenos (son of Orby) from Maundy Thursday, by Symington (son of Ayrshire) from Mauud, by Tarporley (son of St. bimon). GOBLIN MARKET. This gelding managed to win the Dunedin Champagne Stakes, but in the decision of tho Canterbury Champagne Stakes, for which he started favourite, he faded to gam a situation. Possibly age will effect something to the advantage of Goblin Market, whoso pedigree reads:— Sire: Absurd, by Sundridge (son of Ampbion) from Absurdity, by Melton (son of Master Kildare) from Paradoxical, by Timothy (son of Hermit). Dam: Cherry Mart, by Birkenhead (son of Orme) from Martia, by Martian (son of Martagon) from Perolina, by Persimmon (son of SI, Simon).