NOTES BY PHAETON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22406, 30 April 1936, Page 9

NOTES BY PHAETON

AUSTRALIAN RACING SEASON'S THREE-YEAR-OLDS SEVERAL DISAPPOINTING When the present season opened the particular eolt selected both in Victoria and' New South Wales as likely to win classic honours was Young Idea. This distinction for the Constant Son eolt was not altogether based on his brilliant form at two years old, at which ago he was well in front of all his rivals. In his opening engagement at three years old ho defeated Hall | Mark in the Underwood Stakes, and, subsequently running a good race, against Peter Pati in the Hill Stakes, he held his position firmly as favourite for the A.J.C. Derby. In that race he ran unplaced, but in the space of a week he won the Caulfield Guineas, and the victory served to bring him under notice for the Victoria Derby. However, ill-luck attended him in that race, for, when going well a-quarter of a mile from home, ho stumbled and fell. | He has not raced in the interval and | his capabilities are left in doubt, although it is the general impression J that he is better at a mile than at ! longer distances. Allunga, by lnchquaire—Heliope, and j Homer, by Iliad—Quadrilateral, ran a j dead-heat for first in tho A.J.C. Derby, j which pointed to the two colts being I of equal merit. Unfortunately Homer j fractured a leg when contesting the , Craven Plate and as a result ho had to ibo destroyed. Possibly tho situation would have been different had Homer lived to liavo a second meeting with Allunga, for., by all accounts, the New Zealand-bred colt was cast on excellent lines in the matter of physique. Allunga suffered defeat in tho Victoria Derby, but he beat all his field with the exception of Feldspar, and, as he- won the V.R C. St. Leger and A.J.C. St. Leger, he placed most to his credit so far as this year's classic events were concerned, but that may not mean a great deal, for he ran unplaced in both tho Australian Cup and Sydney Cup, and pronounced defeats were also entered against his name in other events. Feldspar's 111-Luck Feldspar, by Thracian—Quartz, was given full credit for his victory in the Victoria Derby, and he was accepted as a colt likely to carry his record much further. However, ill-luck followed him and a '.eg ailment, caused by picking up a thorn, which poisoned the limb, caused his withdrawal from autumn engagements. Palfresco, by Son-o'-Mine Little Millie, attained such prominence by a dashing feat in the decision of the Caulfield Cup, in which race he disposed of a field of 23 and encompassed the mile and a-half in 2.273, that he was considered likely to win the Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup. He failed to rua up to expectations in the classic event, and, developing leg trouble, he had to be withdrawn from the big event. In the autumn he was still under suspicion for unsoundness, which kept him off the scene, and it would seem as though his greatest day on tli9 race-track was that on which he created a fresh Australian and New Zealand record for a mile and a-half when he brought off his surprise victory in the Caulfield Cup. Valiant Chief, by Heroic —Cohesion, who. was one of the few colts sold as a yearling in 1934 for a sum reaching four figures, was made the subject of much eulogy for his early displays at three years old, but, although brilliant up to a mile, doubts have always been expressed as to his proving a stayer, co far this doubt hao been justified. Garrio Fails Garrio, by Chivalrous, ran several good races in the spring, and the victory he registered in the "Williamstown Cup was singled out for comment. However, in the autumn, he was a pronounced disappointment. Casualties and ailments played a strong part in affecting the three-year-old division, and a number considered to be promising candidates were out of commission at an early stage. The tragic end of Homer was especially a severe blow. The Chanter, after one dashing win, went amiss, and Die Trump also suddenly developed unsoundness when matters looked hopeful for him to earn classic honours. Palfresco, Bustard, Buzzard King, Feldspar, Prince Caledon, St. Fervent, Cardinal, The Sheik, Saecula, Latharna, Maestro, Marauder and several others regarded as promising were out of commission before the autumn season was much advanced. With the staying capacity of so many of this season's three-year-olds doubted, it is only to be expected that some diffidence is displayed in regard to the one most likely co win chief distinction at four years old. Allunga is referred to as a good game plodder, but there are those who will not have him as likely to develop into a true stayer. The New Zealand-bred colt Egmont, who ran the four-year-old Contact to a head in the decision of the Sydney Cup, is credited with being a colt of fine physiqu-3 and the prediction is offered that he will keep up the credit of the Limond family when he comes to race next season. CUDDLE'S PERFORMANCES RECORD AT SIX YEARS OLD Cuddle stands out as the hardestworked mare who has graced the turf in New Zealand and Australia during the present season, and a consideration of the distances she has travelled in her races from October 20 to April 15 shows the same to be 24 miles 3 fur. Following is the list of races exacted from tho daughter of Psychology during the period named and the respective positions she filled: — Won Vivian Riddiford Memorial Cup. IJ Unplaced Wellington Handicap, 1 mile 3 fur. Second Harconrt Plate. li miles. Won New Zealand Cup, vwo miles. Second Metropolitan Handicap, 1J miles. Second Canterbury Cup. H miles. Won Au-kland Cup. two miles. Won Tho King's Plate, one mile. Won Clifford Plate. 1} miles. Unplaced Wellington Cup, 1} miles. Won St. Qeoree Stakes, nine furlor.ps. Second Caulfield Futurity Stakes, seven furlongs. Second Essendon Stakes, 1} m:;es. Unplaced Australian Cup, 2J miles. Won Doncaster Handicap, one mile. Unnlaced Sydney Cup, two miles. Won All-Aged Plate, one mile. H. E. GRAY'S APPEAL TO BE HEARD TO-MORROW The appeal of H. E. Gray against the previous decision of the Racing Conference executive in refusing to grant him a trainer's licence, will be heard in Wellington to-morrow. , TROTTING FIXTURES April 30. May 2—Forbury Park Trotting Club. May 2—Cambridge Trotting Club. May 7—Marlborough Trotting Club. May 9—Oamaru Trotting Club May 9—Waikato Trotting Club. May 16. IS—Nelson Trotting Club. May 30—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. June 13—Ashburton Trotting Club. June 20, 23 or 24—Auckland Trotting Club.