NOTES BY-PHAETON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22226, 28 September 1935, Page 11

NOTES BY-PHAETON

PETER PAN'S PROSPECTS BACK TO HIS BEST FORM? MELBOURNE CUP MISSION Any doubts that existed regarding Peter Pan were dispelled when ho defeated a pood field in the Hill Stakes at 1?osehill last Saturday. The fact that the leading three-year-old, Young Idea, finished second enhances the merit ot the champion's victory and shows that he is right back to his best form. Peter Pan's next engagements are at the Australian Jockey Club's Spring Meeting, which opens at Randwick next Saturday, and they comprise the following weight-for-nge events: — Spring Stakes, one mile and a-half, Craven Plate, one mile and a-quarter, and Randwick Plate, two miles. The Melbourne Cup, to be run at Flemington on November 5, in which Peter Pan is called upon to carry top weight, 10.6, is his special mission. From the declaration of the weights lie has ruled favourite, and it seems pretty safe to conclude that, if he succeeds in winning all intervening races in which he is engaged, he will firmly retain his position.

HADRIAN'S GOOD FORM

THREE SUCCESSIVE WINS With three wins to his credit at the opening stage of his three-year-old career, the New South Wales colt Hadrian lias placed himself well in the limelight. The fact that he is not being trained for the Derby points to him being considered to be better suited at a shorter distance than a mile and a-half. The next race he is to contest is the Caulfield Guineas, one mile, which carries a stake of 2000 guineas. The field is likely to be stronger than he has yet encountered, and four who are regarded as being capable of giving him a hard race at Caulfield on October 12 are Valiant Chief, *by Heroic, Garrio, by Chivalrous, Carnarvon, by Eastern Monarch, and Sir Fervent, by Curialis. PROMISING FOUR-YEAR-OLD NEW ZEALAND-BRED SIR JOHN Among the two-year-olds who competed in Australia in the season of 1933-34 Sir John was singled out for special reference as a colt likely to earn distinction at three years old. However, the son of Limond did not develop the form anticipated and during the season he won only one race, a sprint. By. all accounts, he is now well on the upgrade, and he is expected to piny a prominent part in the Epsom Handicap, one mile, at Rand wick next Saturday. He is considered to be nicely treated with 8.1, which represents an impost 131b. below weight-for-age. ■ ■ i THE YEARLING LOTTERY HERITAGE AND LE GRAND At the National sale of yearlings at Trentham in January, 103-4, a brown .colt by Posterity;— Homage and a bay colt by Posterity—Eulogy figured eighth and ninth in tlio catalogue, and therewas much curiosity as to which would prove the better galloper. The fact that Homage is a daughter of Eulogy invested the situation with additional interest. The Homage colt, subsequently named Heritage, was bought by Mr. W. H. Gaisford. of Dannevirke, for 525 guineas, and Messrs. Smith Brothers, of Mangaweka, paid 675 guineas for the Eulogy colt, now known as Le Grand. At two years old Heritage won three races and' £614 in prize-money, and his success in the Avondnle Guineas this week was worth £225. Le Grand failed to win at two years old, and, although ho is viewed as promising, he has not so far done anything in Australia this season. ENGLISH BLOODSTOCK IMPROVEMENT IN PRICES The spirited bidding *at the auction sales of yearlings in England this year afforded proof of improvement in general conditions. At the Newmarket sales 133 yearlings realised an average of 652 guineas. Two colts and a filly by Blandford wore sold for a total sum of 11,900 guineas. Cameronian (by •Pharos), winner of'.the Derby in 1931, was represented in the sale-ring this year and one of his progeny, a .colt from Endowment, fetched 4200 guineas. STUD ITEMS THE CARBINE LINE Spearhead, by Spearmint, stands out prominently as the leading descendant of the Carbine line in Australia and his progeny have won over £133,000 in prize-money during the past 10 years. Spclthornc, another son of Spearmint, has yet to win prominence, and he figured well down the list last season with £2775. Australian-bred Spearfelt, by Spearhead, bids fair to keep up the credit of the line, and his progeny capturec] over £IO,OOO in prize-money last season. DEATH OF STALLIONS The list of winning sires in Australia last season included 48 who were dead, and of this number 38 were imported horses. Since the publication of the list Violoncello, an Epglish-brcd. horse by Valens, who traces to the Bend Or line; has also died.'Violoncello was imported to Australia by' Sir Samuel Hovdern and raced with success, a Caulfield Cup and several important -weight-for-age events being entered to his credit. As a siro he was not a great success. _ :