CUP HORSES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 257, 29 October 1931, Page 12

CUP HORSES.

Performances Under Review. NO 9.—EPHIALTES. Brown gelding, four years, by Thomond from Rose of Athens, by Demosthenes. Weight 7st lib. Owner, Mrs T. B. Dwan; trainer, A. E. Browne (Trentham). At his very first start, Ephialtes won and as the greatest outsider in a field of fifteen paid a big dividend. He had not raced at two years and his debut was made on November 1, 1930, in a six furlong Trial Plate at Carterton. Five unplaced runs followed before he again won—this time over six furlongs at Wairarapa. He next scored over a mile at Masterton, and his remaining win as a three-year-old was gained in the Raukawa Cup, one mile and a quarter, at the Otaki-Maori meeting. He wound up the season by running third over a mile and a quarter and over a mile at the Wellington winter meeting. In all, he ran seventeen times last season for four wins, four thirds and nine times unplaced. This season, Ephialtes began by running unplaced in the C.J.C. Heathcote Handicap, one mile, at Riecarton, in August. He next appeared at the Otaki-Maori meeting early this month. On the first, he was unplaced over a mile and a quarter, but on the second day, he ran a dead-heat for first with Pahu in the Te One Makitonore Memorial Stakes, nine furlongs. Ephialtes had 7st 121 b and Pahu 7st 51b, and they ran the nine furlongs in lmin 50sec—record time for New Zealand. At Masterton on October 17, Ephialtes, carrying Bst 41b, won the principal handicap, one mile and a quarter, from Spearful 7st 51b and Duellona 7st, with Kahikatoa 9st 41b fourth. In the Harcourt Cup on Monday, Ephialtes ran a very creditable fourth. He finished just behind Gay Crest in receipt of only 41b, whereas in the New Zealand Cup Gay Crest has to concede him 231 b. Ephialtes is plainly an improving customer, and when young horses take the up-grade, it is difficult to say how far they are likely to go. He has to be taken on trust as a stayer beyond a mile and a quarter. Ephialtes is by Thomond, who was bred by the Messrs Dwan Brothers. Thomond was by the Polymelus horse from Sweet Tipperary, by King’s Guest, a son of Bill of Portland. Rose of Athens, dam of Ephialtes, was a very useful performer herself. She was by Demosthenes from Rose Shield, sister to that good horse Royal Artillery, by Hotchkiss from Rose of Wellington, by St Leger, and was a descendant of Marchioness, dam of those noted performers, Angler and Fishhook.