FINE VICTORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23143, 15 September 1938, Page 11

FINE VICTORY

! ROYAL CHIEF IN FORM HANDICAP ENGAGEMENTS PROSPECTS IN METROPOLITAN BY PHAETON TJio victory of tho Now Zealand colt Royal Chief in tho Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick last Saturday presages for hiin a bright future, for in defeating Avenger at even weights the son of Chief Ruler came through a severo test, with honours completely on hits sido. Possibly Royal Chief was moro forward in condition than Avenger, although the hitter's bold hid for victory under 9.5 i» the Cienara Handicap, li miles, on August 20, indicated that he was in good order. Royal Chief's spring engagements include the following handicap races: — The Metropolitan, I mile 5 fur., 8.13; CauWield Clip, IJ miles, 8.13; Cantala Stakes, one mile, ( J.O; Melbourne Cu|j, two miles, 8.12.

The-Metropolitan, which is set down lor decision at Randwiek on October 3, is the race in which for the time being interest in Royal Chief is centred and according to latest reports ho was recently supported to win.

AJ AX At FOUR WELG HT-FOI i-AGE R ACES Tho withdrawal of Ajax from the Melbourne Cup means that he is not to bo severely tested- at the present stage ol his lour-vear-old career, and it may be that lie will be entirely reserved for weight-ior-ago races this season. To allow Ajax another year in age before submitting him to the severe test in long-distance races should react advantageously in giving him an extended career in racing and also enable liim to win high honours as a stayer. Ajax has won .CI7OO in prise-money this season. Assuming that the son of Heroic is to be restricted to weight-for-age races for the whole season, it is quite possible for him to capture approximately £II,OOO in prize-money, but ho would require to win the whole bunch to secure that addition to his winning total, which now stands at £20,100.

IMPRESSIVE PHYSIQUE NEW ZEALAND-BRED FOOTMARK 'lhe* New Zealand-bred horse Footmark, who won the West Australian Guineas and the West Australian Derby last season and who was subsequently transported to Victoria, has so iar failed to extend his winning record. Although lie ran unplaced in a recent race at Williamstown, that did not stand in the way of his being singled out for special notice, in which he is referred to as " a magnificent specimen of a thoroughbred." The son of Defoe is said to bo wonderfully conformed, but ho has a ponderous action and requires plenty of room to enable him to stretch out properly. Footmark is credited with training on very satisfactorily and he is expected to contest tho Caulfield Cup aud Melbourne Cup, in which races ho is weighted respectively at 8.4 and 8.5, well below weight-for-age.

CUP POSSIBILITY RECORD BY ROYAL ORDER Royal Qrder's success in the August Handicap, 1 mile aud 3 fur., at the Williamstown meeting placed him in tho limelight, and ho is summed up as " a definite Cup possibility." In referring to the success of tho New Zealand horse, a Melbourne critic penned the following:—" Twenty-five lengths last, with six furlongs to go, Royal Order looked a million to ono chance. He made, up bis ground in brilliant style, won and cut a-quarter of a second off Carlita's record, which has stood since 1915."

Royal Order is given credit for a display of true stamina, and his Dunedin owner, Mr. J. Richardson, has much encouragement to fancy his horso for Cup honours.,

ST. LEGER WINNER SUCCESS WHERE SIRE FAILED By winning this year's St. Lejior Scottish Union scored where his sire, Caineronian, failed badly in Doncaster's classic race of 1931. Caineronian had won the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby iii such convincing style that ho was considered likely to have his name included with tho eolect list of winners of " the triple crown." He ruled a firm favourite for the St. Legar, but he proved a complete disappointment and saw all tho field home. Scottish Union ran second to Pasch in the Two Thousand Guineas and in tho Derby he filled a similar position to Bois Roussel. FRANCE'S GOOD YEAR VICTORIES IN ENGLAND The number of successes registered by French-bred horses in England. this year has formed the subject of much writing, tjio victory of Bois .Roussel in the Derby being tho outstanding feature. The brilliancy and staying capacity of tho French-bred colt is on all hands recognised, and, had ho been engaged in tho St. Lcger, he would, it is strongly contended, have won dual classic honours on the English turf. Up to tho end of June French-bred horses had won 94 races 111 England, the total winnings being computed at £49,763. Bois Roussel was the principal contributor Avith £9228.

ASHBURTON FIELDS HORSES AND THEIR RIDERS [MY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday Riding engagements made for Saturday's programme at Ashburton include tho following:— M. Caddy.—Nigel la, Golden Chest, Mungatoon, Hostile. W. Jenkins. —Argentic, Synthetic, Dracula. J. Murfitt. —Dividend. M. Reilly.—The Sandwichman. H. W. Hibberd. —Great Bramble, Cocksure, Bore Regis, Phenomenal. A. Russell. —Coinus. G. H. Humphries.—Nightdress. A. Stokes. —Windward. J. W. Jennings. —Capo Gabo, Glenacre, Land Raid. R. Beale. —Contract. G. Linton.- —Chaste. R. Register. —Silver Sight. A. E. Ellis.—Happy Night, Oil' Parade, Lord Seadown. L. J. Ellis. —Lady Rosette, Cyprino. F. Smith. —Colonel Rouge. A. Messorvy. Master Hotspur, Screamer, Rebellion. E. Jennings.—Patuma. P. Maclcie. —Roy Bun. A. G. Parsons. —Gay Parade, Gold Boy, Wine Card. G. Watson. —Porit.v, Wagner, La Plata. W. Cooper. —A mo 11 retta. A. Stove. —Top Rank. A. Leach.—Sunny Comet. C. T. .Wilson. —Last Ilefrain, Kinnoull.