NEW CLASSIC TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1934, Page 12

NEW CLASSIC TRIAL.

INTRODUCTION IN ENGLAND. THREE WEEKS BEFORE DERBY. (From Our Own Correspondent) London, Feb. 22. A new race, which promises to become important, is to be inaugurated at Kempton Park (writes our racing specialist). It has been called the Classic Trial Stakes, and it is to be run over a mile and a-quarter, or a quarter of a jnile short of the Derby course. This is significant, because it is intended to afford, owners an opportunity to give their Derby horses a proper trial before the Epsom race. The Classic Trial, as it will be popularly known, is to take place on the day before the Jubilee, which is nine days after the Two Thousand Guineas and three weeks before the Derby, and among the entrants are the Aga Khan’s Umidwar, who is believed to be the strongest challenger of Colombo, Medieval Knight from Beckhampton Le Zingaro, Badruddin, Blazonry, and other classic candidates. The entries for a number of important handicaps have now been announced, and, while the Victoria Cup did not fill surprisingly enough, they are otherwise very satisfactory, and show that the enthusiasm of owners is as great as ever. I note that the American horse, Mate, has been nominated for the City and Suburban. He has been sent chiefly to compete in the Ascot Gold Cup, but prior to this he may go for either the “City” or the Jubilee, or both. As usual the Jubilee has attracted a high-class field. The entrants include last year’s Oaks winner, Chatelaine, Scarlet Tiger, Statesman, Raymond, Gino and Coup de Lyon. Gino’s first outing is to be in the Lincolnshire Handicap, and at present odds of 18 to 1 are offered against him, as compared with 10 to 1 against Generous Gift, the favourite, who will probably be ridden by Gordon Richards These were the'prices at the first call over. A market-has now been officially made on the Grand National, but not a bet was made, and this reflects the state of the racing mind in regard to the jumping classic. It is a very lean year among the steeplechasers, and racegoers a month before the race have no fancy. A hundred-to-eight was offered about the field, Delaneige being placed at the head of the list, but, asl have said, the price was not accepted. f -