THE TWO THOUSAND.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 779, 3 June 1933, Page 11

THE TWO THOUSAND.

Form in Firsc Classic is Inconclusive. MODERATE THREE-YEAR-OLDS. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, April 27. The Two Thousand Guineas, the first of the classic races, was captured for France by Rodosto. A son of the famous Epinard, Rodosto belongs to Princesse de Faucigny-Lucinge. He was trained in France, and was ridden by a French jockey, R. Brethes. The Princesse has not run a horse in England before, and she was not at Newmarket to see the triumph of her thre6-year-old, who held a slight advantage over the best of the English colts, finishing a length in front. Although the result was a surprise, Rodosto had good form at home, and there was a lot of money for the colt. The market, in fact, showed that only Manitoba, Colorow and Harinero were better fancied. Sir Cunliffe Owen’s King Salmon finished with great dash, and was second. Gino, carrying the Aga Khan’s colours, was third. The yellow and red colours of Rodosto were always prominent, and at the Bushes he was in front. Indeed, coming out pof the Ditch, he appeared to have the race won comfortably, when King Salmon offered a stout-hearted challenge. The latter, who was one of the outsiders, was on the opposite side of the course, and, until near home, it was not easy to judge his position. It was then seen, however, that the French horse held a commanding position, and, game as was King Salmon’s effort, he could not lessen the gap. It was notable, however, that he finished running strongly, and I think he might have overhauled the winner if the distance had been a little further. The merit of Rodosto’s win should not be depreciated, and, inasmuch as he has been entered for the Derby, there will be strong French hopes of his success at Epsom. But I do not think the form in the Guineas was very reliable. Such was the uncertainty that not an owner or trainer believed that he had the winner, and it was on this account that as many as twentyseven horses went to the post. This was, of course, an unusually large field for a classic race. Jf, in fact, there, had been one horse whose chances had appeared outstanding, there would not have been more than a third of the runners. In the circumstances, several of the leading stables saddled more than one horse. Frank. Butters was represented by four, the Aga Khan’s Felicitation and Gino, and Sir Alfred Butt’s Young Lover and Mr Berry’s Mainwood. Beckhampton had three in the race, Manitoba, the favourite, who belongs to Lord Woolavington, Lord Ellesmere’s Titian, and Mr J. A. Dewar’s Lochiel. There had been little or no rain for nearly a month, and with the ground hard trainers had been afraid to risk their horses in races. Several, in fact, had not appeared on a course this season before they faced the starter in the Guineas. This was a serious handicap, and for this and other reasons, I feel sure that several of the horses will run very differently in the Derby. There were, of course, many disappointments. Manitoba was well placed for three-quarters of the race, but then dropped back just as if he were short of condition. His form was, I believe, too bad to be true. Statesman is another who will probably improve, while there are also possibilities of considerable development in the case of Lochiel. Rodosto may go on to win the Derby—a French horse has not been successful at Epsom for over twenty years—but the situation at the present time is extremely puzzling, and I think one must wait before trying to weigh the chances of the horses. If the form in the Guineas works out truly, and definitely establishes the classic candidates, I think it must be decided that they are an unusually poor lot.