RANDWICK DERBY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23155, 29 September 1938, Page 11

RANDWICK DERBY

NEXT SATURDAY'S RACE SEVENTY-FOURTH CONTEST NEW ZEALAND SUCCESSES BY PHAETON The Australian Jockey Club's Derby, which comes up for decision at Randwick ou Saturday, will be the seventyfourth contest. Many stirring incidents arc bound up in its history and the number of successes of New Zealand horses gives it special interest. "Winners bred in Now Zealand number nine, these being Nordcnfeldt, by Musket, Bonnie Scotland, by St. George, Noctuiform, by Multiform, Kilbov, by Kilbroney, Cupidon, by Martian, Ballymena, by Nassau, Phar Lap, by Night Raid, Amnion Ha, by Limond, and Tlieo, by Limond. Homer, by Iliad, de&d-heated. In addition, New Zealand owners liavc furnished tho winner with Aus-tralian-bred lijises on three occasions. Biplane, by Comedy King, and Gloaming, by The Welkin, scored in successive years, 1917' and 1918, in Mr. G. D. Greenwood's colours, and in 1928 Prince Humphrey, by Duke Humphrey, won for Mr. C. G. Macindoe. Seveial Second Places Horses bred in New Zealand have run second on several occasions, in 1890 Gatling, by Nordenfelt, beat all his Held with the exception of Gibraltar, and Finmnrk, by Finland, filled a like position to Gloaming. Niujier Minstrel, by All Black, ran second to Heroic in 192-1. At an interval of two years Limerick, by Limond, was runnerup to Rampion. In-1930 Veilmond, by Limond, ran second to Tregilla; in 1933 Deputy Ruler, by Chief Ruler, was second to Hall Mark, with Blixten, by Night Raid, third, in 1937 Mala, by Lackham, was beaten only by Talking, with Gold Rod, by Chief Ruler, in third i>lace. The field for tho approaching race would seem that it will be below anticipations. Nuffield, by Heroic, who won chief honours at two years, has been popularly focussed as a probable winner, and there was much in his performances to support the view that he would develop staying quality, lor he has a double strain of Carbine. Unfortunately, a mishap that has come against him places Nuilield under a cloud and doubts have been expressed as to his being a starter. A final payment for the Derby is due. to-day. New South Wales Colts Respirator, by Windbag, Aeolus, by Baralong, and Limulet, by Limond, are considered to be the best of the New South Wales lot. The last-named colt, bred in Now Zealand, is stated to bo on the upgrade. Sir Harold, by Burnewang, who hails from Victoria,- has made a good impression at Randwick. Quite a number of horses moderate at two years old have developed marked brilliancy ac> they reached the age of three. Phar Lap may be cited as a striking illustration of this. The big chestnut managed to win one race only in his first season, but his exploits at three years revealed him as a champion. Conversely, Mollieon was m seven races at two years, but ho had to strikei his colours in the A.J.C. Derby. Young idea and Gold Rod, leading two-year-old performers, also failed to win Derby honours. It is possible for an .inferior horse, to win a Derby. Tanami, by Dalmeny, who scored in 1910, did not win another race, and- Gupidon, by Martian, who led the field homo in 1922, wound up with an exceedingly poor record other wise. ROYAL CHIEF RANDWICK ENGAGEMENTS The brilliancy of Royal Chief in winning tho Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick last month has been warmly extolled by Sydney writers. On Saturday he is engaged in tlio Colin Stephen Stakes, run over a mile and a-lialf at standard weight-for-age. He having disposed of Avenger in tho Chelmsford Stakes at equal weights, 9.7 each, the Sydney horse will have to make gfyid advance if ho is to reverse places with his New Zealand rival. Tho Metropolitan, ono mile and nvo furlongs, to be run on October 3, finds Royal Chief engaged with 8.13. The third day of the Randwick meeting is October 5, and Royal Chief is in the Craven Plate, of a mile and a-cpiartor; and on tho fourth day, October 8, ho is engaged in tho Randwick Plato, two miles. Both these races are run at weight-for-age. In a eulogistic reference to Royal Chief after his victory in the Chelmsford Stakes "Musket," writing in tho Sydney Mail, says:—" Royal Chief docs not take tho eye as a specimen of the high-class thoroughbred, being just a plain-looking bay horse of medium height. In tho Chelmsford Stakes ho got his head in front more than half a furlong from home, where Avenger made a bold attempt to raco with him. For a few strides tho issue was in doubt, but nearing the judge tho Now Zealander drew away from Avenger to beat him by a length and a-quarter." On breeding Royal Chief is rather a problem, as lie is by a sprinting siro from a staying mare. This sort of mating often produces stamina without speed or speed without stamina, but Royal Chief appears to have inherited tho speed of his sire and the stamina of his dam. There is a wealth of stamina on tho maternal side of Royal Chief's lineage."

AEOLUS SOLD TWICE rosehill guineas winner Aeolus, who was sold at auction for 1600 guineas early this month, was sold again on September 15 and two days later ho won the Rosehill Guineas, worth £630 to the winner. Aeolus was knocked down to the auctioneers, Win. Inglis and 0I1 > effected the re-sale to Messrs. t. JJ., C. G. and R. V. Gove, Victorian owners. They are interested in Evening Mist, wjho raced prominently last season, and won the Bourko Handicap at Flemington in March. They frequently make purchases lor Indian buyers, but they intend racing Aeolus in their own names in Australia until tho demand for a good three-year-old crops up. ELLERSLIE CLASSICS - FURTHER WITHDRAWALS Withdrawals from classic races to bo decided at tho Auckland Racing Club's Spring Meeting on October 8 andMO have been announced ns under:— Great Northern Guineas. —All Bunsby, Partner, Venture, Tidal—Hunting Bells gelding, Golden Flame. A.R.C. Welcome Stakes. —Glenconnell, Baran, Thurnavaals, Constant Son —-Lady Cynosure filly. Hunto should be added to those remaining in the Welcome Stake#.