RACING IN ENGLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20005, 23 November 1927, Page 4

RACING IN ENGLAND

PATRICIAN RIVALS. LORD DERBY AND LORD ASTOR. [ Special “ Chronicle ” Service ] LONDON, Sept. 22. In a markedly quiet racing period it is only possible to deal generally with the sport (writes Centaur, the Chronicle’s racing correspondent). One of the most interesting features of the season promises to be the duel between Lord Derby and Lord Astor, as to which of them shall head the winning owner’s list when, the curtain is rung down. At the present moment Lord Derby has quite a substantial lead, but it is thought that Book Law will pick up certain easy prizes and thus give Lond* Astor a pull. It may eventually become a question of small handicap successes, and* thus we are promised quite an interesting tussle between these two patrician owners. There are not many really big prizes left now and as Book Law seems to dominate the Jockey Club Stakes it is worth mentioning that as a set-off Lord Derby is entitled to count on worthy representation in the Middle Park Stakes through the instrumentality of his smart colt Fairway. The Trainers and Horses. The respective trainers are Alec Taylor and F. Butters, but as they train horses for lots of other sportsmen it is pretty clear that they must fight out a financial battle on their own. Butters has a lead at preserit, but if Book Law does what she is expected to do Taylor will go to the top most emphatically. Book Law has won more money than any other horse this season, and 1 should say she will enjoy that privilege even at the end of the season. There .certain prizes quite at her mercy whilst her runner-up in this matter of prize money, viz. Colorado, has not half the number of remaining engagements.

Colorado recently went up to Ayr, Scotlond, to pick up an easy prize and he left a wonderful impression in the minds of the Northern sportsmen, who had the joy of seeing a really wonderful horse win in a canter. There is no doubt that Colorado is now a better horse than he has ever been in his life, and he and Book Law are wond*erful specimens of their different sex. I think I wrote, after Book Law had finished second in the Oaks, that sh might never know defeat again and 1 have been well justified. She is, I hear, to have another season of racing and this is even possible in the case of Colorado who is, of course, a four-year-old now. Coronach and Call Boy have both gone to the stud. The Cesarewitch.

AU goes well with Adieu and, when the Cesarcwitch comes along I shall expect to see the number of this colt hoisted with the elect. He is trained by Walter Griggs. I met William Griggs—the elder of the two brothers—quite recently and he told me that his charge—the Duke of Westminster’s colt Bamboula—will run right well in the long-distance race on October 10. Bamboula was recently in Deauville and got beaten by an outsider. Before that his only other race of the season was in the Chester Cup where he split Dark Japan and Dark Hillock. This evidences that Bamboula has not been overworked during the period under notice, and, I am quite sure he will put up a fine display at Newmarket. Of course, he meets Dark Japan on most beneficial terms—as compared with Chester —and as a true stayer (he is a son of Nimbus) he will “get - ” every yawl of the long journey at headquarters. PointersPreliminary events at Doncaster, Gatwick, Newbury and Nottingham are apt to cause a.U sorts of notions where the Cesarcwitch is concerned;, and for that reason I hesitate to commend these early “trials.” A rank outsider Realm Park won “puUing up” in heavy mud at Gatwick -for instance, and on that form must “get” the Cesarcwitch—though I cannot see how she is to be well ridden at 6 stone —less than Myra Gray carried last year. The French horses are difficult to assess so far as the race for the Cesarewitch is concerned. I have heard Bois Josselyn and Juveilin (stable companies), Masked Ruler and Banstar well spoken of. For my part I think the latter will be kept for the Cambridgeshire—in which he can be ridden by Elliott—and on his last display at Doncaster he has something of a chance too. The same can be said in favour of Insight II (last year’s winner) who likewise did well at Doncaster. I shall not waver in regard to the ex-German horse, Weissdorn, however, at this stage, and recognise that there is time enough to deal with the race in my i-.ext article. Asterus is, understand, a doubtful runner—the present intention being to saddle him for the Champion Stakes.