Late Sporting.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19201, 15 October 1930, Page 7

Late Sporting.

CRAGFORD LANDED A HUGE FORTUNE.

WIN IN METROPOLITAN TRIUMPH FOR FORM.

(Special to the “Star.") SYDNEY, October 7. Bookmakers had the laugh on backers when Cathmar won the Epsom Handicap, but the noble army of punters returned to the battle with reinforcements yesterday at Randwick, and Cragford’s success in the Metropolitan was a triumph for followers of form and figures.

In winning, Cragford established an Australasian record for a mile and five furlongs, his time, 2min 43sec, being a half-second better than that made by Sir Andrews when he won the Metropolitan in 1923. Cragford’s record is only three-fifths of a second worse than the English record for the same distance, but the world's record is held by the great American horse, Man o’ War, who, at Belmont (N.Y.), in September, 1920, ran the distance in 2min 40 4-ssee.

The heavy-betting Victorian brigade, who are in Sydney for the meeting, made their presence felt in no uncertain fashion. They worked their plan well, as not a move was made until after the first race, when their assault on the ring commenced. Huge bets were accepted about Cragford, and his price gradually shortened until at barrier rise he was 3 to 1, and in the majority of cases the leading bookmakers gently told their clients that they would get better elsewhere. The success of Cragford, while a heavy blow to the fielders who opened their books on the course, was even worse for the books who had set books on the race. They may have, escaped with the doubles, although a leading Sydney business man had Cragford coupled with Cathmar for something like £30,000. Naturally, the books with whom he bet had to back Cragford back, which contributed to the short price that horse started at.

There was no luck attached to Cragford’s win, and he won absolutely on his merits. He was always well placed, and his apprentice rider, Breasley, rode him with remarkable sang froid and judgment. Early in the race Cragford dropped into a nice position on the rails in about seventh position. Several horses ran round him at between the seven and six furlongs, but Breasley did not worry, and moved through on the rails. At the half-mile he had worked into fourth place and he waited in that position until rounding the turn, where he shot through and had the race won at the distance. His little rider did not take the slightest risk and rode the favourite right out with the whip. He did not falter, and ran the race ’right out to the bitter end. Cragford, who was the ugly duckling of the field, and who has been under suspicion for the last week owing to lameness behind, has a remarkable record, as his Metropolitan win made his fifth in succession. On figures he was a handicapping certainty, and for once in a while figures proved true. Cragford will now return to Melbourne for the Cups. His Metropolitan win gives the V.A.T.C. and V.R.C. handicappers the right to re-handicap the gelding for the Cups. He has 7.S in the Caulfield Cup and 7.12 in the Melbourne Cup, and he can be re-han-dicapped to the extent of 101 b. The V.A.T.C. handicapper, Mr S. Griffiths, who was at Randwick, announced after the Metropolitan that he had allotted Cragford the full penalt}*. If Mr J. P. Arthur decides to run Cragford in the Caulfield Cup he will be one of the favourites, with 8.4, but it is probable that he may be reserved for Flemington. Paquito had every chance in the Metropolitan, but was simply not good enough. M’Carten has been unfortunate during the Randwick meeting in meeting with interference, but he got a good run on Paquito, and was well placed all the way. Paquito failed becuse he was simplv not good enough. Outsider’s Good Showing. The surprise of the race was the bold showing made by Jeypore. He went away with a long lead in the early stages, but between the six and five furlongs, the field closed on him, and Kuffler actually headed him. However, Jeypore's rider was only giving him a breather, ’ and he set sail for home at the half-mile. He was •still in front at the turn, and although Cragford passed him with ease Jeypore battled on and gained third money after Ihe appeared to be well beaten for a place. In the Shade ran a sterling race, but Jamieson’s luck is right out. The Australian Sun gelding -was a fair wav bao.V. m the early stages, but he commenced to make his run at the seven a, ?d went so fast approaching the half mile that his name was called as the winner. Ife battled on in great style, but Cragford had the pull in the weights and just before the finish lii the Shade- had finished his run. In. view of the fact that second money in the Metropolitan is £I2OO, In the Shade would not have been a dear horse at £2600, for which he could probably have been bought at the end of last week. Concentrate made a bold showing in the straight, but his weight anchored him at the finish. Donald was tailed off most of the way, and Rufflcr, who has had a sprint preparation, was well beaten after going a mile. Dais ton Runs Wide. Waterline apparently felt the effects of his bruised heel, as he dropped out near the half mile and onlv beat a few horses home. Dalston did not run a race, and would have been closer than sixth only for swinging very wide at the top of the straight. He finished almost under the judge’s box. John Buchan was slightly interfered with, but was never going like a winner. He dropped out approaching the turn, and finished in the middle of /the field.

Star God, who finished fifth, ran an extraordinarily good race considering the interference he received between the nine furlongs and the mile lie lost a number of lengths, but battled on m great style.

Cragford’s Metropolitan will go down in racing history ns a triumph for form. And as that is unusual these times, maybe it will be remembered if onlv lor that alone.