DONCASTER ST. LEGER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20085, 24 October 1928, Page 18

DONCASTER ST. LEGER.

FAIRWAY'S BRILLIANT WIN

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] LONDON. Sent. 21.

Tlio St. Leger. the last classic race of the season, was wort on the famous Doncastor course on September 30 by Fairway, the Derby favourite, who. on Derby Day. confounded tho experts by finishing thirteenth. This wns Lord Derby's fourth St. Leger victory. Ho won in 1010 with Swynford, in 1010 with Keysoo, and in 1923 with Tranquil. Oo did not, however, boo Fairway "make good," because he has not attended a race meeting sinco tho tragic death of his daughter. Lndy Victoria Bullock. Lord Stanley, his son, saw the race, and exclaimed: "Isn't that fine. What a pity my father isn't hore. Ho would have given tho world to havo soon Fairway make good." Fairway cam© in 1} lengths in front of M. Jacfiues Wittouck's Palais Royal 11., with Major Courtanld's Cyclonic third, and Sir L. Philipp's Flamingo fourth. The winner has appreciably thickened and put on muscle, tie had dono particularly well of late. Tho slate of the ground was no deterrent to him because of hit very perfect action. As a, rule, tho truc-actioned horse will go equally well in any sort of going, but especially will hp be seen to advantago when tho ground is too firm for tho horse with indifferent action to show of his best.

Fairway's timo was 12 seconds better than Book Law's last year, and in tho lato stages of (ho race ho made up a six-lengths deficit, when Weston called upon him for tho crucial effort, and finished a length and u-half ahead of Palais Royal II Ho has so far atoned for tho Epsom fiasco ns to earn his owner £25,801 for tho Eclipso Stakes and tho St Legor. Time, 3m 3s.

It was whilo Palais Royal and Cyclonic wero engaged in a breathless duel that 1* airway camo on tho scene. Weston must have known what, reserves were under him. and was timing his challengo accordingly, for strongly, surely, and inexorably the favourite drew up a"nd then into tho lead, to tho accompaniment of a delighted roar, which Bteadily swelled in volume. That was how Fairway went to his most meritorious victory, served not only by his own fino speed but by stamina, too. which confounded his critics, who must now eat their words that a Phalaris can never stay to win a St. Leger. Ho had been splendidly served also by Weston's jockeyship. If ho had not kept his head fully a milo from home when being led so far, ho would havo called upon his horso too early and left the race there. St. Legers aro not won at that point. Even when Palais Royal 11. and Cyclonic wero dangerously near homo ho waited to employ that finishing run which brought him victory. Weston won the St. Leger for Lord Derby on Tranquil, but I believe this was a, better pieco of jockeyship in every respect. Lord Derby heard tho good nows in Scotland.

TRAINING NOTES.

FLEM I NGTON AND CAULFI ELD. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. MELBOURNE, Oct. 23. Training operations were in full swing at Flemington this morning. On the grass Prince Humphrey and The Happy Wafrior did ten furlongs in 2.18. the last five in 1.5. Statesman (C. Pike) beat Bacchus (O. Phillips) over 12 furlongs in 2.43J, the last ten in 2.9}. They carried equal weights, and it was a good gallop. Hamulus beat Winalot and Oatcndale over ton furlongs in 2.10. Epilogue beat Sea Pilot easily over ten furlongs in 2.95. Violet Rays ran three furlongs in 80} hj, and Bob's March took 3"!s in a similar journey. Pica Pica compassed ton furlongs in 2.15. On tho tan Fourth Hand easily bent Kavota over a niilo in 1.451. Hjnanna and Thurnbell are returning to Now Zealand to-day. There were light showers during the gallops at Caulfield. On tho grass The Banker (H. Cairns) did tho best 11 furlongs, in 2.25. He was assisted by Urbani over tho last mile, which was covered in 1.49. Tho Gay Mutineer and Balmerino beat Mondioga over 11 furlongs in 2.255. Sedbury did a mile in 1.50. Benjamin ran the best four furlongs, completing tho journey in 51b. Kalloni and Albanian ran ten furlongs

easily in 2.22. Repellero dashed over four furlongs in DOis, tho first three in 35iS. Nawallah ran away from Mollison over ten furlongs in 2.13 J. Tookarby ran ten furlongs in 2.17J, and Finsbury got over four furlongs in 6353.

FURTHER CUP SORATCHTNGS. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Keceived October 23, 10.15 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Oct. 23. Alfred the Great galloped nino furlongs on the grass to-day in 2.0, tho Inst four furlongs taking Oils.

At Alooneo Valley to-day Amounis heat Reonui over five furlongs on tho grass in 1.5.

At Flemington Speoial Call has arrived for tho Oaks Stakes. Further Ecratchings for the Melbourne Cup are:—Cimbrian, Leontes and Speorfelt. For tho Cantala Stakes Fourth Hand has been scratched.

WANGANTJI NOTES.

[from our own correspondent.]

WANGANUI. Tuesday

Episode is still Boro and has not been worked sinco returning from Auckland. Hopes aro entertained that she will be all right in time for tho Feilding meeting, but it may bo that the Limond filly will not raco again until she goes to Ellerslio at Christmas.

Ceremony did not do well on his trip to Auckland, but ho appears to bo himself again. Ho has fined down nicely and is being kept going steadily in view of tho Feilding meeting, but it will bo later on before he wil l bo at his best. W. IT. Dwyer has Tracda in work. Tho Night Raid filly will race at Feilding, all jioinjj veil. Tho Bisogno gelding Troilus has been purchased by Mr. P. It. Peirco and is now in chnrgo of F. P, Claridgo. Riccarton.

'fencer, a six-year-old gelding by Elysian, engaged at AVaverley in the hurdles, is a very clean, smart juniper and though on the small side he should pick up a raco or two for Mr. Lan Higgie, for whom C. Gordon trains.

Star Area never looked better than ho Toes at present and if tho Aero gelding does not win at Waverloy ho should not bo long in getting into the money. Ho is now trained by N. Gardner

Grand Lupin now runs in tho nomination of Mr. 11. Rnyner, who formerly trained him. Tho Lord Lupin gelding is a good looking sort, but to date his performances havo been titappoinfing

Tho Chief Ruler filly Just So will bo having her first rare at Waverley since injuring a foot badly prior to tho Wellington winter meeting. Tho half-sister to Kiosk is a bit on tho big sido. but sho is very speedy. With tho mco on Monday Just So will only need to go on tho right way to bo very dangerous in her engagements at Feilding.

Pedestal, the half-brothor by Thespian to Commendation, was taken t<j Auckland recently for experience, but not to race. Tho trip has done tho gelding Rood and ho looks as if ho should bo ready to givo a tasto of iiis quality when he visits Auckland again at Christmas. In the mcantimo. ho will ho given a raco at D'eilding, all going well.

Flying Binge, a throc-year-old filly by Chief Knler—Cushla. lias Ixtn allowing plenty of pace over short distances recently. She is owned by her breeder, Mr. J. Donald, and is trained by O. Cox. Plying Bingo promises to bo moro than useful.