NOTES BY PHAETON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22391, 11 April 1936, Page 9

NOTES BY PHAETON

SYDNEY CUP HISTORY SOME NOTABLE WINNERS CONTEST ON MONDAY The Sydney Cup, which is set down for decision at Randwick on Monday, has been one of the leading events of the Australian turf since it was founded in 1866, and, as this year's race carries £SOOO in prize-money in addition to a trophy valued at £2OO, it well maintains its position. The names of many illustrious horses are entered on the roll of Sydney Cup winners. The following have scored \ with 9.0 and upwards:—The Barb, 10.8; Darebin, 9.8; Carbine, 9.0 and 9.8; Highborn, 9.3; Wakeful, 9.7; Cadonia, 9.1; Kennaquhair, 9.5; Eu-. rythmic, 9.8; David, 9.7; and Lilypond, 9.8. In Kennaquhar's year Poitrel, who carried top weight, 9.9, ran him to a short head, the two miles being encompassed in 3.22 J. The dual victory registered by Carbine furnishes a bright page in the history of the race, and the record of hi 3 descendants can be referred to in similar terms. Wallace, who was sired by Carbine in 1 is initial season at the stud, led the field home in 1896, and four years later La Carabine was the winner. Twelve years after Wallace won his doughty son Trafalgar was successful, and in 1931 The Dimmer, by Spearhead, scored. A good number of sensational 1 surprises have been recorded. The most sensational was the win in 1926 of Murray King, whose prospects were considered so forlorn that his withdrawal was seriously contemplated. The trainer, George Price, pleaded for a chance for the horse and he had the satisfaction of seeing him triumph. The records show that Murray King started at 200 to 1.

Surprise by Afcuna Akuna, who led the field home last year in a very close finish, was responsible for another big surprise, being quoted at 50 to 1. Three-year-olds have 18 victories to their credit, as follows:—1867, Fishook, 6.10; 1872, The Prophet, 6.10; 1874, Speculation, 6.2; 1880, Petrea, 7.12; 1881, Progress, 8.2; 1882, Cunnamulla, 6.7; 1887, Frisco, 6.11; 1888, Australian Peer, 8.6; 1889, Carbine, 9.0; 1892, Stromboli, 8.0; 1895, Fatroness, 7.0; 1896, Wallace/ 8.12; 1899, Diffidence, 6.8; 1901, San Fran, 6.12; 1904, Lord Cardigan, 8.7; 1909, Trafalgar, 7.11; 1925, Winalot, 8.2; 1932, Johnnie Jason, 8.4.

Fifteen mares have their names enrolled among winners, namely, Barbelle, 4yrs., 7.10; Mermaid, 4yrs., 7.5; Vixen, 4vrs., 7.2; Petrea, 3yrs., 7.12: Cerise and Blue, 4yrs., 8.2; Lady Trenton, 4vrs., 7.7; Patroness, 3yrs., 7.0: Diffidence, 3yrs.,' 6.8; La Carabine, syrs., 8.2; Wakeful, syrs., 9.7; Nordeen, 4yrs., 6.7; Moorilla, 3yrs., 7.1; Scarlet, 4yrs., 7.6; Gwilliam G-, 6yrs., 7.0; Akuna, 6yrs., 7.0. English-bred horses have won the Sydney Cup on three occasions, a 9 follows: —1914, Lily veil, by Martagon; 1918, Rebus, by Radium; i 919, lan Or, by Martagon. * i

A Cheap Purchase Gwilliam G., who won in 1930 in record time, was bought whpn a yearling for the small sum of 65 guineas. Chief New Zealand interest in this year's contest will be centred in the prospects of Cuddle, who is weiehted at 9.2. In the Australian Cup at Flemmgton last month she was a pronounced disappointment and fears were expressed that she had overtrained. However, she has been standing up to her work satisfactordy, and, even though it may be strongly argued that the two miles journey in the Sydney Cup will be more to her liking than the two miles and a-quarter of the Australian Cup, she has a stiff task before her with 9.2, for the opposition promises to be strong. A quintette who are regarded with much favour are Salamander 6.12, Sarcherie 8.8, Marabou 8.12, Amalia 8.11, and Soft Step 8.7. Sarcherie has the record of filling second place in the Melbourne Cup in two successive years.

RICH TWO-YEAR-OLD RACE SIRES* PRODUCE STAKES The A.J.C. Sires' Produce Stakes, to be run at Randwick to-day, carries £3OOO in added money, and subscriptions by owners of sires nominated, together with a sweepstake, add further to the stake for the winner. The New Zealand-bred colt Gold Rod won the V.R.C. Sires' Produce Stakes at Flemington last month with such brilliancy as to earn him the distinction as the best two-year-old of the season, and his prospects of retaining the position are regarded as particularly bright. The race has twice been won by New Zealand colts, namely, Honour, in 1929, and Amnion Ra, in 1931. Both were by Limond. Gold Rod, the favourite for to-day's race, is by Chief Ruler. HIGH-PRICED HORSES THE BANKER'S SALE In a list of high-priced horses sold in New Zealand during recent years, and which appeared in a recent note, 2000 guineas was given as the sum for which The Banker was sold. Mr. P. F. Shannon, of Wellington, who acted as the agent for the owner in the transaction, writes me stating that the sum paid for the Kilbroney gelding was 3000 guineas.

STUD ITEMS UNBEATEN HURRY ON The stallion Hurry On, whose death was recently reported from England, furnished a pointed illustration that it is wise to avoid prejudices in summing up horses, especially early .in their careers. When sent up to auction as a yearling Hurry On, then described simply as a chestnut colt by Marcovil from Tout Suite, was fairly -scouted in certain quarters, and it is related that a leading breeder who viewed him as a three-year-old exclaimed: "So they call him a line colt! Why, every leg is in a separate parish." In his book on " Racing and 'Chasing" Captain Harding Cox gave a list of the horses, the handsomest and ugliest, that came under his notice. Among the ugliest fire in ail was Hurry On, whom he described in training as a rough and ready customer, possessing some excellent points, but " with a head and a-half of Fiddle formation." And this is the horse who won six races without defeat, including tho St. Leger, and whosp progeny, which include three Derby winners, Coronach, Captain Cuttle and Call Boy, have captured over £304,000 in prize-money. Three horses by Hurry On are included with the sires owned in New v Zealand, namely, Huntine Sons. L<ord Warden and Defoe. Captain Bunsbv, by Captain Cuttle, son of Hurry On. is also owned ijn the Dominion.