TURF IN ENGLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22833, 14 September 1937, Page 7

TURF IN ENGLAND

By Air Mail LONDON, August 28

EBOR AND GIMCRACK

SIR ABE BAILEY'S DOUBLE

DEFEAT OF MERRY MATHEW

[l'KOil OUR OWN COimESI'ONDF.NT]

Mid-day Sun, a distinct favourite for the St. Leger Stakes (in which he ran third), carried off the Manton Stakes at Salisbury this week, but it was in no way a St. Leger trial, The field was small and the distance two' furlongs less than the distance of the classic. It was the colt's first outing since Ascot and great interest was taken in him, as Derby winners are seldom seen at West Country meetings. Liko other noted racehorses before him, Mid-day Sun must be ridden by a horseman. For this, M. Beary is the perfect jockey. He is the only three-year-old of class in the country who lias not spoiled his record; lie is still only half a horse and will never be as good at three years as ho will be next year. Mid-day Sun finished three-quarters of a length in front of Maranta, a colt by Solario, who had run only once before this year The going at York this week was as hard as it could he imagined. The weather was brilliant and the crowds were very largo on each of the four days. Every day provided its thrills, for a head verdict was the result of most of the races On the last afternoon an objection was lodged against the winner of the Gimcrack Stakes. It was overruled, although spectators say that Golden Sovereign undoubtedly gave Taliir, the favourite, a bump. Ebor Handicap

One of the most popular of longdistance handicaps is the Ebor,l2 miles, The winner in the field of 17 was one of the outsiders, Sir Abo Bailey's Weathervane, a four-year-old mare by Son-iri-Law from Buclianess, trained by J. Lawson at Manton and ridden by T. Weston. Weathervane Avon by a head from Dytchley, with Coup de Roi a length away third. Buckleigh was fourth. Weathervane had been placed in her three * previous races this year. Epigram -was the favourite. There wore only six runners for the Gimcrack Stakes, six furlongs. Tahir was considered to # have a fine chance of scoring for the Aga Khan, who had won the event twice before, with Mrs. Rushtom and Bahrain. In the result he was second to Sir Abe Bailey's Golden Soveroign, who, while possessing a good home reputation, had not done much to place him in the first class. Indeed, if Tahir failed, it whs expected that Faerie Queen, a nicelooking filly by Solario from Rose of England, owned by Sir J. Jarvis, would be the one to bring about his defeat. Golden Sovereign, who is by Monarch, is trained by H. L. Cottrill, who bought him as a yearling in Ireland for Sir Abe Bailey. A Very Rough Finish

Tahir, Golden Sovereign and Truo Mate took part in a very rough finish, all three seeming to want tho same piece of ground, and Smirke, on Tahir, objected to the winner, but tho stewards decided to allow the result to stand.

As a result of his success, Sir Abo Bailey will be tho guest of honour at the Gimcrack dinner held at York in December. He expressed regret that one of his horses had been concerned in an objection. "I have been racing for 51 years in South Africa, and for 44 in England, and never objected," he said. . There was also interference vin tho running of the Harewood Handicap, five furlongs, won by the favourite Harmachis, who beat Paul Beg and Tho Dentis-. It was held that E. Sjnith, rider of the winner, was the cause of tho interference, but the judge's placings wore not-disturbed. Merry Mathew Eeappears Tho reappearance on the racecourse of Merry Mathew in the Great Yorkshire Stakes was eagerly awaited, as in that part of the country he is regarded as fcho best three-year-old in training. However, this crack Middleham three-year-old suffered his first defeat of the season. Ho had been out of action because of a bruised foot since winning on this course in May, hull was thought to be at his best again. Merry Mathew was well enough placed behind the leaders entering the straight anc; made his effort soon afterward, bul; Prawn, on tho rails, held his own with the favourite, and then the Aga Khan's Mange Tout got the lead and went on to win hy a neck from the fast-finishing Chulmleigh. Merry Mathew was beaten into fourth place. Another success for the Aga Khan wan the Prince of Wales' Plate, -which was won by tho two-year-old chestnut colt Khan Bahadur, by Blepheim— Mali Mahal, and one regarded as likely to play J;n important part in three-year-old classics. Lord A star's filly Sculpture, ridden by G. Richards, won the Yorkshiro Oaks by a length from Termagant. Sculpture is by Sansovino from Picture. The value of tho race was £ISOO. DEFEAT OF GOLD ROD NO EXCUSES CAN BE MADE METROPOLITAN AN OPEN RACE SYDNEY, Sept. 13

Gold Rocl.'s completo defeat in the Tramway Handicap so disorganised the Epsoni Handicap position that even this morning it had not settled down. No excuse can possibly bo made for Gold Kod. He is in perfect order to-day and was probably disinclined to race in the field. Prittle Prattle, on account of his second in the Tramway Handicap, has come right, into Epsom calculations. The Chant.er, who finished well in the Chelmsford Stakes, is also more in demand. Talking is beinji kept safe by bookmakers until he runs at llosehill nest Saturday. The Metropolitan Handicap horses, Mala, Silv-ar Standard, Old 'J low ley, Sir Kegent and Gay Knight, all impressed at Rnndwick and the Metropolitan is regarded as more open than usual. Lynch Law will not run in the A.J.C. Derby, which, nevertheless, is one of tins best fields, witli the Victorians Ajax, Hua and Avenger, dominating the position. The New ZeaJander Courtcraft is creating a favourable impression 011 the tracks, TROTTING FIXTURES October 2—Methven Trotting Club. October ih~Mew Brighton Trotting Club October 10, IS—AVestport Trotting Club. October '.'3, 25—Auckland Trotting Club October 23, 25—Greymouth Trotting Club. October 25—Oamaru Trotting Club. October 30—Wellington Trotting Club. October 30 —Invercargill Trotting Club. October 30 —Thames Trotting Club.