Honour And the Rich A J.C. Derby

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 675, 29 May 1929, Page 14

Honour And the Rich A J.C. Derby

HE MAY WIN TOO ! i Honour is the outstanding youngster i of the .present season. He brilliantly i won the C.J.C. Welcome Stakes at Riej carton in the spring, and in tne autumn I his superiority continued. His most ‘ notable victory was in the -v.J.C. Sires’ | Produce Stakes, and following on that win he has become the winter favouri ite for the A.J.C. Derby. The Limond ! colt revealed great galloping prowess as a youngster, and though there is some reason to doubt his ability to stay, his brilliance may carry him close to victory in the richly-endowed Randwick classic, says a writer in the Christchurch Sun. It was in the Welcome Stakes at Riccarton that Honour first burst into the limelight. Making his initial public appearance, there were few critics who considered him fit enough to win, but the colt fairly astounded them all with the burst of speed that he unwound over the concluding stages of the race. In his work prior to the meeting he had not demonstrated any exceptional ; speed, but apparently he is a natural ; galloper, who merely needs the typical j Mason touch to fit him for his tasks. ! From that time he improved in. re- ! markable fashion, and ultimately put j the seal on his fame when he won the j Wellington Stakes at Trentham with j a 101 b penalty, beating First Money j and Childsplay. Taken to Sydney Taken to Sydney for the A.J.C. Sires’ j Produce Stakes, he lived up to his reputation by downing a strong field. When he was sent up to auction after the autumn carnival, there was quite a stir in Turf circles. He failed to realise the reserve placed on him, and he was later brought back to the Dominion. Perhaps buyers at the sale-ring did not like taking the risk of purchasing a Mason cast-off; but on the other hand, there was the fact that Mr. Greenwood, the colt’s owner, was off to England on a pleasure trip, which would have led to the belief that he was going out of the game. ITe is not, however. Since his return home, Honour has been pottered about the tracks, but he has not /yet commenced a serious preparation for spring racing. He appears to have grown a little and thickened out since he last raced, and next season he may develop into a powerful horse. Each year critics are apt to refer to the best youngsters of the term as “best ever,” but in summing up Honour it would be safe to say that he is one of the best gallopers produced in recent years, and nothing seems more certain than that the Limond colt will again be an outstanding figure in the sprig. Honour is a heavily-topped colt, and there is always that prevalent fear that he may not stand up to serious racing. But so far he has given little trouble, and provided that he goes on well he may be the outstanding horse of the next season’s racing. Derby Chance Regarding his A.J.C. Derby chance, there are bound to be critics who will doubt his ability to stay a soundly-run mile and a-half. Sydney racing men have already pointed out that great horse as was Mollison, he failed to i un out the Derby distance, and the fact that Honour is a descendant from an Absurd mare certainly is good ground for their contention that he may not be a stayer. But it must be remembered that Agrion, bred in the same way, by Limond out of an Absurd mare, merely toj r ed with the opposition in the New Zealand Derby at Riccarton, and perhaps Honour, who is a distinctly f etter type of racehorse, will develop in the same manner. There is no questioning his gameness, for he fought tenaciously in A.J.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes, when racing under the disadvantage of heavy ground, and though he just managed to scramble home the probabi ies are that he would have won with a little in hand had the going been firm. The Sires’ Produce Stakes might well be reckoned Honour's greatest effort. The Limond colt is booked to leave for Sydney, probably some time in August, and most likely he will have as a travelling companion Praise, the rising two-year-old full-sister to Commendation.

another step in the right direction. Entries for all events will close with Secretary A. G. Mabee on Friday, Juno 7, at 5 p.m., and on the same date entries will be taken for the 1930 Great Northern Derby. First Day The events will be run in the following order, at the times arranged: 11.0 -—Winter Trot, of £250; 2 miles; 4.54 limit. 11.45 — Mangere Handicap, of £250: 1£ miles; 3.28£ limit. 12.30 — Provincial Trot, of £250: 2 miles; 4.47 limit. 1.45 Prince of "Wales Handicap, of £750: 2 miles; 4.29 limit--2.0 —Hobson Handicap, of £300: 2 miles; 4.38 limit. 2.45 Stewards’ Trot. of £400: 2 miles; 4.38 limit. 3.30 — Cornwall Handicap, of £400; 1 mile; 2.13 limit. 4.15 — Marconi Handicap, of £ 250: li miles; 2.514 limit. Second Day 11.0 —Manukau Handicap, of £250; li miles; 3.28 J limit. 11.45 — Royal Trot, of £250; 2 miles; 4.52 limit. 12.30 Suburban Handicap, of £250; 2 miles; 4.45 limit. 1.45 C. F. Mark Memorial, of £750; 2 miles; 4.29 limit. 2.0 —Adams' Memorial Cup, of £SOO, and lOOgn Gold Cup; 2 miles; 4.35 limit. 2.45 Member*' Trot, of £4o'*; 2 miles; 4.38 limit. 3.30 Au Revoir Handicap, of £250; 14 miles; 2.514 limit. 4.15 Liverpool Handicap, of £400; 14 miles; 2.464 limit.