GREAT DERBY VICTORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20084, 23 October 1928, Page 10

GREAT DERBY VICTORY.

AUCKLAND OWNER'S RETURN.

COLT NOW AT ' MELBOURNE.

GUARDED BY TWO DETECTIVES

The most enthusiastic demonstration seen at Rand wick racecourse in years was accorded the win of the Now Zealand colt, I'rince Humphrey, in the Australian Jockey Club Derby, said his owner, Mr. C. G. Macindoe, of Auckland, who arrived from Sydney by the Niagara last evening. Business reasons have compelled Mr. Macindoe's return to Auckland for a few days, and he will lcavo again by the Maheno on Friday for Sydney, to join Mrs. and Miss Macindoe before leaving'for Melbourno to see Prince Humphrey contest the V.11.C. Derby at Flemington on Saturday, November 3.

Referring to Prince Humphrey's magnificent win over the hitherto unbeaten Mol lison Mr. Macindoe said that both tho owner and, trainer of tho latter admitted the superiority of tho New Zenlander. Ilis only object in racing tho colt again at Flemington next month was to givo another opportunity for Mollison to meet hitu. Irresistible Final Dash. After tho Victorian Derby Prince Humphrey would be brought back to New Zealand, win or lose> and would probably bo taken back to Australia next season. In tho meantime thero would bo important Now Zealand events, like the Great Northern Derby, for the brilliant colt to contest. "Mollison had the best of the' running all tho way in the big event," said Mr. Macindoe, in describing the race. "110 was ridden by the same jockey who rode him in his nine previous successive victories. There wero no excuses. My colt suffered a set-back entering the straight, galloping on tho heels of another horse and losing four lengths, but he challenged half-way down the straight. Tho vast crowd, seeing that a win for the New Zealander was certain, commenced a thunderous cheering that was continued long after the horses returned to scale. Mollison's jockey worked hard over the last few yards, but at Munro's call Prince Humphrey came away and won hard held."

The race was worth £6650 to tho winner. Tho colt 011 his visit to Australia, lias already won about £7OOO, and in his racing career about £IO,OOO. Now three years old he was bought bv Mr. Macindoo for 500 guineas from Mr. IT. 11. Mackenzie. Offer of £SOOO Declined.

.After tho race Mr. Macindoe received dozens of congratulatory messages from London, South Africa, all the Australian States, and many parts of New Zealand. "I was offered £SOOO for the colt, but he is not for sale," said the pleased owner. It had been hoped that Prince Humphrey would beat Ainounis in the Craven Plate, in which he ran third, but a slipping saddle destroyed his chances, tho jockey finishing up sitting "well back." Discussing the colt's chances in the Victorian Derby, Mr. Macindoe said: "I hope Mollison will be at his best on tho day, but it is probable the strain of his hardest race and his first defeat will have some effect. Probably Prince Humphrey's most serious rival will bo Mr. Sol "Green's Strephon, a reputed great stayer of class and new sharing favouritism with my colt, but I think Prince Humphrey is still good enough." Prince Humphrey has already been sent to Melbourne, guarded by two detectives, for. Mr. Macindoo remarked, "one has to look after horses carefully over there." Munro's fee for the Derby-winning rido was about £SBO, "with something added," but concerning that the Auckland owner was modest. >