RACING.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16644, 14 November 1925, Page 8

RACING.

MANFRED’S DERBY. SENSATIONAL PERFORMANCE. In describing tho race for the Australian Jockev Club’s Derby Cardigan” of the Australasian, states that Manfred’s win was sensational in more wavs than one. Sydney sportsmen were startled on Friday when it was given out that- an attempt bad been made to “nobble” Manfred and perhaps others of McCalman’s team in the early hours of Friday morning. MeCaiman, though not unduly suspicious, decided on his arrival in Sydney to adequately guard his horses, and two of bis boys were detailed to sleep Jn the porch of the stable, one door being locked on the outside and the other on the inside. It was well that the precautions were taken, as the boys were awakened by tlieiil dog barking, and one of them heard the intruder.at, work with a file on the lock of the door. The boy had the presence of mind to shout to his mate: “Give me the gun, Tim,” and then they heard a hurried departure. Arrangements were immediately made for detectives to guard the stable, and when I went to have a peep at the Derby runner on Sunday morning the guardians of the law were still on duty. Some people are inclined to think the attempt all moonshine, but it was deadly serious; and it is certain that the person ox persons who attempted to get into the sable bad designs on tampering with tho Derby favourite. The lock of the door was substantial, and an attempt had been made to prize it open, and when that bad failed a file was used, and the steel ring had been almost filed through. Mr. Chaffey offered a reward of £SOO, but it is hardly likely that the culprits will be brought to book. Needless to say, the occurrence upset McCalman, but it will at least impi’ess upon all trainers the absolute necessity of guarding their horses prior to an important race meeting. Thei’e was vei’y little delay at the start, and Manfred, who had drawn No. 1, seemed disinclined to leave the starter. However, he was in line and facing the right way when Mr. McLeod pulled tho lever. The others moved off together, but Manfred wheeled round, and then charged over to the outside fence and seemed as if he would not go at all, but the clerk of thecourse got behind him and he moved off at half pace, and lugged out towards the judge’s box. However, Duncan straightened him up, and passing the stand he was anything from half to three-quarters of a furlong behind the second last horse—Vaals. The crowd gave a cry of disappointment when Manfred was left, but when lie went after the field the cheers were deafening. Fortunately the pace was slow, and the first halfmile was run in 532 sec. Between the mile and the seven furlongs Manfred spurted, and he joined Vaals at the •seven furlongs, and again the crowd cheered. Hampden and Avron made the pace, and at the five furlongs Hampden and Avron were well clear of Amounis, with Manfred a few lengths away, just in front of Petunia and Tibbie. At the half-mile Manfred moved up to Amounis, and approaching the turn Amounis was slightly in front of Manfred, but they turned for home almost on terms. For a few strides Amounis seemed to be going better than the Victorian colt, but immediately afterwards Manfred shot to .the front, and although Petunia then put in his claim he left that horse over the last half-furlong, and won one of the most sensational races in history' by a length and a half. Tibbie, who finished fairly well, was a moderate third, and tliei'e was not much between Amounis and Vaals for fourth place.

At a conservative estimate he was left 120 yards, and watchholders timed him to stop at the post 7 seconds, so it will be seen that he must have run the mile and a half in the remarkable time of 2min 28isec. As the Australasian record for the distance is 2min 30^sec it will be seen that Manfred’s performance was that of a world-beat-er. Unforunately Manfred’s time cannot be recorded in the official records.