ELLERSLIE’S CLASSICS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1930, Page 4

ELLERSLIE’S CLASSICS

FORESHADOW GREAT CONTESTS CYLINDER WILL FIND DERBY HARD TWO-YEAR-OLD RACES INTERESTING \--- 1 — — For many years the two and three-year-old classics at the holiday carnival at Ellerslie have been at the mercy of some outstanding 1 performer and runaway victories have robbed these rich races /. of considerable interest. However, the position differs considerably this season,’ and the number of high-class thoroughbreds that have survived the first forfeits promise of providing splendid races. < ■■

Fifteen are left in the Great Northern Derby, and Praise, Chrysology, Sargon, Gustavo, Karapoti and Cylinder are all big winners. Of the others, Karangapai, Appledore, Miss Hastings, Paratoo and Manawhenua are all winners and have given every indication of staying on. Therefore it is seen that 11 of the 15 in the race possess reasonable chances, and with such a fine collection of three-year-olds engaged it seems certain that a great race will result.

Cylinder won the New Zealand Derby very comfortably, and then defeated Nightmarch in the Stead Gold Cup. These two races, on top of his formidable list of earlier successes, stamp him as a thoroughbred above the average. He is a brilliant stayer and improving all the time, but the Great Northern Derby will prove just how good he is. Sargon was successful in Australia, and recently scored a convincing win in the Alison Cup. That last race was a splendid Derby trial. Gustavo raeed fairly well at Trentham and Riecarton, but the going was against him. He has improved considerably since then and must possess an undeniable chance. Then theTe is Praise, the Oaks winner, to be considered, and it looks as if this trio should thoroughly test Cylinder. \ .

Eighteen exceptionally good youngsters are left in the Great Northern Foal Stakes and, with the exception of three, hfive all raced prominently. The winners of the two Welcome Stakes, La Poupee and Tea Chat, at once catch the eye, and tjien there is the A.J.C. Breeders’ Plate winner, Movie Star. To this select trio race form adds in order Chief Jewel, Princess Bede, Chief Cook, Baroscope, Lady Vane, Royal Artist, Ammon Ba, Aspian, Persham, Cape Gold, Limeen and Maritime. But probably the most interesting entrant is the high-priced Oratonum, whose form on the Trentham training tracks indicates that he will not be at a really great disadvantage when he meets his more seasoned rivals. . 1 •-

La Poupee has not been out of a place in her four starts this season, winning the A.R.C. Welcome Stakes and the Wellesley Stakes, and suffering defeat by the narrowest of margins in the C.J.C. Welcome Stakes. Tea Chat does not seem to be as good as his defeat of La Poupee indicates, and she should beat the Tea Tray gelding next time they meet. Movie Star beat Australia's best, and he has gone on the right way since he returned to New Zealand. He will be having his first race in the Dominion and his showing will be full of interest. Chief Jewel won his two races at Takapuna in a brilliant manner, and looks like developing into a star performer, though it is thought by many shrewd judges that his stable-mate Ammon Ra will turn the tables at their next meeting. Ammon Ra is bred in the purple, and the younger sister to Prodice should do well at Ellerslie. The boom horse Oratorium yet has to race, but, so well has he come through his preparation, he must be considered with Ammon Ra as a worthy opponent for Movie Star and La Poupee. The two and three-year-olds will meet on the last day of the carnival in the Royal Stakes, and a better field has never been promised for the race. Two-year-olds have generally done best at the difference in weights, and the Foal Stakes_should throw some light on the prospects of Ammon Ra, La Poupee, Movie Star and Oratorium, while a number of the three-year-olds will be seen in action in the Railway handicap. Of the older division Autopay, Awaken, Praise, Royal Ruler,. Courtesy, Gesture and Karapoti are. all proven sprinters of high calibre, and they should make the, task of the younger ones very difficult. At this stage it is difficult to make any definite decision, but Karapoti, Awaken and Autopay should not be disgraced, and this trio promise to fully extend Ammon Ra, Oratonum and La Poupee. ,