SCUTTLE’S FAILURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 408, 17 July 1928, Page 10

SCUTTLE’S FAILURE

ROYAL DISAPPOINTMENT STORY OF THE OAKS A reigning monarch has yet to win the Oaks, the lillies’ ’‘classic,” instituted 150 years ago. The crowd at Epsom on June 8 experienced the keenest disappointment of the week, says London “Sporting Life.” To a man—and woman—they went prepared to cheer to the echo a Royal victory. But Scuttle, backed down to evens, had flattered but to deceive, and Lord Derby’s Toboggan, which was seven lengths behind the King’s filly in the “Guineas,” was four lengths ahead of her at the finish of the Oaks. It• was a case of history being repeated. In 1896. when King Edward won the Derby with Persimmon, his filly, Thais, was made a sound favourite for the Oaks, only to be beaten into second place by Canterbury Pilgrim, owned by the father of the present Earl of Derby! No Serious Threat After the morning rain, the afternoon was again brilliantly fine, but the attendance was on the small side. The Royal party once more went down to Epsom by road, and were warmly welcomed by a crowd already excitedly anticipating a triumph for Scuttle. In point of fact, however. Scuttle never seriously threatened to win the race. After an excellent start Flegere was first away from Toboggan, but in the first half-furlong the latter took up the running from Flegere, Maquillage, Fret, Ouadiana, Scuttle, Molly the Marchioness and Jurisdiction. At the top of the hill Scuttle commenced to move up, and coming down i the hill took third place behind Tobog- j gan and Fret. Scuttle continued to draw closer to j the leader, taking second place at Tattenham Corner, but she could make no impression on Toboggan, who scored comfortably by four lengths. Six lengths behind was the Manton-trained Flegere. All the Running Lord Derby, who was thus compensated somewhat for Fairway’s failure in the Derby, was not present owing to his recent bereavement, and Lord Stanley led in the winner. T. Weston, who had won the Oaks last year on Lord Durham’s Beam, said: “I made practically all the running. “Fret and La Sologne were my nearest attendants for some way, and when they were done with Scuttle came after me. She could never get on terms, though, and I had a very easy ride.” W. R. Jarvis, the King’s trainer, said he was perfectly satisfied that Scuttle was beaten by a better animal. She ran a good, game race, did her best, and was beaten on her merits. J. Childs, who rode Scuttle, said: “Scuttle was well away, and ran a good race, and I have no excuses to make. “I knew the winner had me beaten as we came round Tattenham Corner, where I gained a couple of lengths, but could do no more.” Later Comments The inability of Scuttle to confirm her One Thousand Guineas superiority over Jurisdiction and Toboggan was a great disappointment to the Epsom crowd. 99 per cent, of whom wanted to see her win the Oaks. His Majsety and the Royal party were present to sec her run and there xvas n o mistaking the confidence re- ' posed in the daughter of Captain I Cuttle and Stained Glass, who looked ! •trained to the hour.” If she was a shade on the light side, I i

it had to be remembered that she had a mile and a-lialf to cover. Improved Filly Toboggan is a shorter-backed and a more compact filly, and she carried far more muscle than on the day of the “Guineas,” for which her preparation had been rather hurried. Jurisdiction sweated a lot, while Guadiana was in cotton-wool bandages. Nothing moved with more liberty on the way to the post than the lightgirthed Catharis. while Roman Market stretched herself out well in the “preliminary.” No fault at all could be found with Flegere’s condition, and her prominent running throughout the race was on,? of its surprises. The Big Surprise The biggest surprise of all. however, was the ready style in which Toboggan accounted for Scuttle. She was always outpacing the Egerton House filly, and shot round Tattenham Corner with more nippiness than the longer striding Scuttle, who did not quicken at all when J. Childs moved on her as they swept into the straight. Indeed, Toboggan’s victory was a particularly clean-cut one. and the further she went the greater would have been the margin in her favour. As it was, the judge gave it as four lengths. The first three in the race returned very little distressed. They were well in advance of the rest of the field, of which Haintonette did best in finishing fourth, some three lengths away from the placed horses. The “rank outsider,” the locallyowned and trained Molly the Marchion? ess was always well up with her field and finished fifth. The disappointment of the race was

SCUTTLE Jurisdiction, who was in trouble from Tattenham Corner and could do no better than finish eighth. She never gave Richards a winning feel at any point from the top of the hill. Toboggan has thus atoned in some measure for Fairway’s defeat in the Derby, and it now transpires that the latter did not travel any too well to the meeting. Book Law's Defeat The connections of Book Law are inclined to think that the filly was not at her best in the Coronation Cup, and her failure was as much due to back trouble as to her dislike for the course. Taking No Risks It was at first intended that Donoghue should fly to Australia to ride Taipa in the Australian Derby. However, plans have been changed, and Steve went by train. As he remarked. “Sir Frederick Eley thought it was best since he might, he said, be left to ride the horse himself.’ ” RACING FIXTURES July 11)—W'aimate Hunt. July 21—South Canterbury Hunt. July 26, 2S—Gisborne R.C. 1928-1929 Season August 4—Christchurch Hunt. August 4—Poverty Bay Hunt. August 14, 16. IS—Canterbury J.C. August 25—Hawke’s Bay Hunt. Sept. I—Marton J.C. Sept. s—Dannevirke R.C. Sept. 6—Dannevirke Hunt. Sept. I—Otago Hunt. Sept. S—Taranaki Hunt. Sept. 13, 15—Wanganui J.C. Sept. 22—Ashburton R.C. Sept. 22—Xapier Park R.C. Sept. 22, 24—Avondale J.C. Sept. 27. 2S—Geraldine R.C.