SEASON'S THREE-YEAR-OLDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20300, 6 July 1929, Page 11

SEASON'S THREE-YEAR-OLDS

BY PHAETON.

REVIEW OF THE FORM.

In ft recent article 1 dealt with the two year-okls that contested in New Zealand during the present season and the three year-old division may now bo taken up for consideration "'lie fuct ot honours in connection >vith the classic races decided on the New Zealand turf this season being widely distributed curves to invest the situation with additional interest to the students of racing. Under a different set of citcum fltanres in regard to nominations thcrt would probably havo been ft different result, for Nightmarcb. who is entitled to i"rst place, only had one classic engagement—the New Zealand Derby. In making « commencement first place will be accorded NIGHTMARCII (By Night Raid—Marsa). In the early atago of tho season matters did not look bright for Nightinarch, for he was defeated in ft small race at Ashburton. ond he was still in tho " hack" dasß when he won 'ho Linwood Handicap nt Riccarton in November In tho decision of the New Zealand Derby, however, ho won the classic race in Rood stylo. Victories followed in the Marton Cup and Dunedin Cup, and, 'hough he had to strike his colours in the Trentham •sGold Cup to both Rapier and Count Cavour. he was probably not unite himself that day. The Great Autumn Handicap saw the son of Night Raid achieve on attractive victory under 8.5, and tho fact that ho conceded 1 lib. and two years in ago to Soatown gave a storling stamp to his performance, for Seatown's subsequent form was really good Dy all accounts Nightmarch is a solidly-built colt and there is much encouragement to expect him to play his part well as age comes to him. CONCENTRATE (By Kilbroney—Oratress). As the winner of the New Zealand Bt. Lcger and Great Northern St. Lcgor, Concentrate can be given second place, for bo displayed staying capacity. Both thoso events wero run at a solid pace, and Concentrato won his races in a manner serving to demonstrate that ho relished his racing and favouring tho impression that he improved with ago. Concentrate is a woll sot-up colt and ho will, I think, bo up to tho " cup " standard at four years old. SILVER PAPER (By Paper Money—Silver Peak). Silver Paper is by all accounts a very capable miler, but it is for time to show whether ho can carry his record beyond that distance. Ho won .the Dunedin Guineas, but when much was cxper.tod from him in tho New Zealand Derby ho failed to gain a place. In tho autumn he won the C.J.C. Challenge Stakes under 9.4, and, as ho ran the seven furlongs attached to that race in lm 24 4-ss, tho performance was well tipped with brilliancy The J. D. Ormond Cup, run over a mile, end in which ho carries! 9.4 and defeated Reromoana. conceding his aged rival 31b., v-as another performance showing up Silver Paper as a first-rater over a milo course. RED HECKLK (By "Warplane—Glcnluco). When Red Heckle dashed home in front in the decision of tho Great Northern Derby matters seemed to point to tho probability of his record being further embellished before the close of the season. Ho was popularly ticked off as tho likely winner of tho New Zealand St. Leger, for which he started favourite, but he could do no better than finish third for that event, and he was not further raced. It may bo assumed therefrom that it was deemed rdvisable to treat Red Heckle to n rest,-and possibly this course was taken by reason of his- falling away in condition. It ci>n be enid for Red Heckle that ho won tho fireat Northern Derby at tho right fcnd, and, that being so, ho may como agaiu.

TOXEUMA (By Arrowsmith—Te Aupaki). This gelding was called upon to contest 20 races, nnd. though ho went down in tho Great Northern Derby. New Zealand St. Leger and Great Northern St. Leger, be displayed grit, and the pleasing feature of his performances is that ho was only i nee out of a place. That is something to lemember when Toxeuma comes out to lacc at four years old. PRODICE (By Catmint—Hyades). With victories in tho Avondalo Guineas and Great .Northern Guineas down to tho credit of Prodice, sho was placed well in the picture as an eligible candidate for Derby honours. She made a good bid for victory in the chief classic event at Ellorslie and ft hundred yards from tho post she looked a likely winner, but alio was beaten threequarters of n length by Red Heckle. In the autumn Prodice won the Great Northern Oaks, but sho had to bo content with third placo to Concentrate and Toxeuma in tho Great Northern St. Legor. Prodico is a filly of solid conformation and that sho will carry her winning record well beyond her three-year-old days is a prediction that can, I think, be expressed with a large degree of confidence.

GREAT STAR (By Solferino—Theda). This gelding has not, so far, been called upon for tasks above tho ordinary, but tho five wins down to his credit carry the moritorious stamp, and, unless a good number of keen judges are astray in their judgment, he will take higher rank at tour years old. In some quarters an impression prevails that a journey of eight furlongs will prove more to the liking of Great Star than beyond that distance. Two strains of St. Simon (one on each side) and a double 3tra:n of Musket on the darn's side, it can bo well argued, should help Great Star to stay well beyond a mile. PRIDE (By Sutala—Egotism). By reason of her victory in the New Zealand Oaks, Pride is entitled to recognition, but the fact reinnins that she failed to win in her subsequent efforts, though she ran Beau Goste to half a head for the Peninsula Cup with lQlb the better of tho weights compared with tho winner. GOLD MONEY (By Paper Money—Miss Ethel). This filly ran very consistently throughcut the season, and, though sho had nothing beyond seven furlongs to her credit, sho can, I think, be ticked off as promising The final performance at three years old regis tcred by Gold Money in the Visitors' Uandi cap (six furlongs) at Ellorslie last week was decidedly pleasing. She had to make up eorrie ground to get to tho leaders when tho concluding three furlongs came to be under taken, and the gayieness she displayed in a hot finish showed her up attractively. LUCY ROSE. 'By Lucullus—Autumn Hose). This filly was one of the hard-worked division during the season, for she contented 25 races and she won seven of her engagements Tho victory she registered in tho King George Handicap at Ellerslie last week could be cited as her best performance, for she carried 8.1.1 and beat a field of 25 laicy Kobe's concluding effort, when sho went up with her challenge at (he half-distance stamped her as good at seven furlongs, for she scored decisively in 1m 2'Js and wob relishing her racing at the close. STAGHUNTER (By Quantock —Polaris).

ff one were called upon to name the most disappointing three-year-old thai contested during the present season in New Zealand Australian-bred Staghunter would be (illicitly cited. When the son of Ouantock won the Royal Stakes at Ellerslie cn Boxin;? Day, 1927. quite a large number wero prepared to dofl their caps, u3 tl.e saying 'goes, to Staghunter. Lie did not. however, succeed in ono of the subsequent engagements ho was called upon to fulfil, anil when it ia stated that he finished unplaced in seven cf the eight races ho contested this season. It will be recognised that ho has to accomplish something to ieinstato himself. Possibly (v chango of treatment may accomplish something in bringins about a change of form on the part ot Staghnntri* and it will be intereslini; to note whether such will come about when the brown colt come 3 to race at tour years old.