THE DERBY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 457, 19 May 1932, Page 6

THE DERBY.

Stamina of Orwell is Still Doubted. SOME OF HIS RIVALS. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, April 14. The first public trial of Orwell, the Derby favourite, as a three-year-old, was satisfactory so far as it went. The colt won the Greenham Plate at Newbury on an almost tight rein. But professional judges are very suspicious of the stamina of Orwell, and after the Newbury race several shook their heads, and declared that the horse would not win the Derby. At the pace at which it was sure to be run, he would not stay the Epsom mile and a half. The Greenham Plate was over a mile, and it was run in an unusually slow time, this being largely due to the strong wind which the horses had to face. For seven and a half furlongs Orwell was kept on a tight rein, and it was obvious that the colt was pulling for his head most of the time. In this style he remained just in front of the field, and one did not doubt that he could have come away readily enough. , In the last half furlong, when the pace j was quickened, his jockey gave him a little more rein, and he retained his advantage. As is indicated, Orwell accomplished all that was necessary at Newbury, but his critics say that, even though he was held in check nearly all the way, he had not the reserve power to have done much more. In fact they decided that, if the race had been a quarter of a mile longer, he would have been beaten by the Aga Khan’s Firdaussi. I am inclined to take this view, but perhaps the Guineas will tell us more definitely the colt’s capabilities. Will he Stay the Epsom Course? There are few horses of Orwell’s class, and I think he will capture the first of the classics, which is over a mile, but I am not prepared to say more than this at the moment. I fear there are good grounds for suspicion as to his stamina. Meanwhile, there is no doubt that Firdaussi is a stayer, and there are the most encouraging reports about Lord Rosebery’s horse, Miracle. He has not been out yet, and I understand that it is not the intention to run him until he appears at Newmarket for the Guineas. There is keen interest in the classic horses at Beckhampton. No one knows better than Fred Darling what is required to win the Derby, and it was significant that his horse, Crumpets, was well backed against Orwell at Newbury. But he ran in most disappointing style, actually finishing last. Whose money went on Crumpets? I do not suggest that it was a stable commission, but I am sure that Crumpets was in the race to get a guide to Orwell for Cockpen and Violator, who will be Beckhampton’s chief hopes in the Derby. If this were the plan, it, of course, broke down badly owing to the poor form of Crumpets. “ A Dark Horse.” Interest in the Derby is beginning to quicken, and attention has been drawn to a “ dark ” horse in Fred Darling's stable at Beckhampton. It was believed that the best Derby candidate there was Lord Woolgvington’s Cockpen, but recently Violator has been whispered about as a horse with greater possibilities than his stable companion. It is also very significant that he appears in' the bookmakers’, lists at a shorter price. Violator, who belongs to Mr Dewar, for whom Cameronian won the Derby last year, had not much form as a two-year-old to commend him, but there is never smoke without fire, and I am prepared to believe a good deal of what has been stated about the colt's extraordinary improvement. At the same time, it is almost too much to expect, after the unhappy experience of his uncle. Lord Dewar, who could never win the Derby, and who left all his horses to his nephew, that the prize should go to the same owner in consecutive seasons. Miracle’s Chance. Lord Rosebery was nearly successful a year ago with Sandwich, who afterwards captured the St Leger, and it, is believed that he may go one better now with Miracle. A colt by Manna, he has progressed splendidly since he last ran at York in September, and it was obvious then that he possessed excellent prospects. In regard to Jiweh, to whom I have previously referred, I understand that it is not the intention of Frank Hartigan to hurry the colt’s development, and that he is backward. In the circumstances, it is thought that he may not be at his best by Derby time, but that he will come prominently into the reckoning for the St Leger. (Since this letter was mailed. Orwell has won the Two Thousand Guineas (one mile) from Wastur and Ilesprus (France), while more recently Miracle was successful in the Newmarket Stakes, run over a mile and a quarter.) IN CAPE TOWN SAFELY. New Zealand Yearlings Arrive in Good Order. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, May 19. According to advice from Cape Town, South Africa, the three yearlings (two colts and a filly) purchased by Sir Joseph Robinson in New Zealand in February, arrived by the Nestor early last month, and, considering the four weeks they had beer, on the water, they were landed in remarkably good condition. The colts were by Paper Money and Lord Quex respectively, and the filly was by Chief Ruler. They were originally purchased at the January sales on behalf of a New York buyer, but the deal, owing to certain difficulties, was not completed. Sir Joseph subsequently bought them while they were still in the Trentham sale yards. The South African writer, “ Arbiter,” states that the yearlings are not by any means the first thorough-breds to reach that country from New Zealand, for about twenty-seven years ago Mr Fred Pratt, himself a New Zealander, hrd three in training close to the Kenilworth Racecourse. These were Tradewind, Veldt, and Ocana. and all of them were good winners. A few years later the twin foals, Lady Seaton and Glow Worm, a colt and filly, were imported from the Dominion, both of them winning races, the filly as a pony and the colt as a galloway.