A SENSATIONAL DERBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 244, 15 October 1931, Page 4

A SENSATIONAL DERBY

WHEN MANFRED WAS LEFT BRILLIANT RANDWICK EFFORT Some of the romance which make.the racing game so fascinating ii caught by Mr. J. C. Davis in his re miniscences in the Sydney Referee, am perhaps one of the most interesting stories, in view of Ammon Ra’s victon in the A.J.C. Derby last Saturday week is that concerning Manfred’s sensa tional win six years ago.

Derby Day at Randwick has its own peculiar fascination, writes Mr. Davis. Other sports generally fall fiat that day, whether tho weather be all sun shine or uninviting, as it was on Saturday. Though the lure is less insistent than in other years when there was money to burn, sportsmen are as interested as ever in seeing the Derbj run, in spotting the Epsom winner, am! in watching the weight-for-age horses testing their stamina and speed in the Spring Stakes.

Three races of this class on the one day make a remarkably attractive programme, especially when the Spring Stakes horses are closely matched, as they were when Gloaming and Beauford and Limerick and other stars in and about their periods were flourishing.

Most of us have seen some memorable races for the Derby, a few in which horses that subsequently developed greatness within their distances were beaten, and some in which the winners never did very much in their subsequent careers. As a rule, however, the Derby winner lives up to his reputation. Th© most sensational raco for the big prize seen by racegoers able to cast their minds back a few years was that of 1925, on which the brilliant Valais colt Manfred, left at the post, seemed to have automatically dropped out of the race to the chagrin of an immense crowd. There were eighty thousand people at Randwick that afternoon and the flying bay was favourite for the Derby at sto 2 on. So the catastrophic character of the start may be imagined. Dismay swept through th© crowds as the odds-on favourite who aad drawn number one station at the barrier, swerved behind the other horses as the tape rose. They shot out and he stood still. Led by Hampden, the small field spread out with th© favourite not only stationary but facing tho opposite way. W. Duncan W’as riding him that day. When the field had gone at least a hundred yards and probably more, the rider and the horse became as one. Manfred suddenly moved off after them as though he had determined to place himself on scratch, give his rivals a goodly start and then beat them.

Have horses sense? Carbine, Desert Gold, Limerick, and Gloaming in their races seemed to possess something more than mere instinct. And on Derby Day in 1925 when Manfred did commence to move, he seemed to got a gleam of that thoroughbred racing sense. Thousands of eyes focussed on the starting point fronting the St. Leger stand. The crowds, dumb with amazement for the instant, quickly changed when they saw the colt stretching out and moving like a machine. It became an inspiring sight to them. He literally hugged the rails, nursed in his sweeping strides without a semblance of forcing by his rider. Duncan was in perfect tune with th© colt, as he swept round the bend with the speed of the wind. The other horses were fast coming back to him. Tho crowds by this time sensed what was impending. A miracle was to happen. An Extraordinary Gap. The six horses in front galloped along placidly, apparently at their top and yet without clapping on real pace. Manfred, galloping as a champion, was fast reducing the extraordinary gap between himself and Vaals, who was at the tail of the field. At th© mile th© flying favourite, still moving well within himself, got within four lengths of Vaals and at the four furlongs he was fourth.

Watching him sweeping up to his horses and then going past some of them on the outside as though they were standing the crowds could hardly believe their eyes. They were in one continuous roar.

At the five furlongs the horses in front of him were Hampden, Avron, and Amounis. Duncan had ridden the colt with extraordinary steadiness as though he knew he could give them the amazing start, overhaul, and then beat them. He steadied him as he ranged alongside the leaders and they flashed almost four abreast round the turn into tho straight. Eighty thousand people cheered like thunder from the moment the colt had passed the judge ’s box in pursuit of the field.

They kept up an incessant peal of applause. It must have been heard in Sydney. “Manfred! Manfred!” They cried. “The favourite wins.”

Then came a momentary fear that tho long-sustained effort might beat him when tackled in the stretch for home. But galloping on like a horse of steel, going away from them as though they were selling-platers, he finished seemingly well within himself to defeat Petunia by a length and a-half, with Tibble third, a length and a-quarter further away in 2.35 J. Th© unplaced horses were Avron, Hampden, Vaals, and Amounis. “Horse of a Century.’’ “The horse of a century,” said one well-known racing man as Manfred trotted back into the enclosure amidst thundering cheers. It was about the greatest thing ever done at Randwick Dy a three-year-old.

Petunia, the second horse, started at 33 to 1 and the betting against Tibbie was 100 to 1! The phenomenal quality of Manfred as a three-year-old when he did move from the barrier may be imagined from his giving that extraordinary start to such horses as Amounis, Tibbie and Vaals. Their names in subsequent seasons were to ring in the ears of tho crowds as popular winners of important races. Amounis, a marvel of consistency over his distances, won the Epsom twice in tho next three years, carrying 9.8 in 1928, and is the second greatest stake-winner in this country with close on £50,009. Vaals won the Epsom bebetween the two that went to Amounis, so the horses Manfred outclassed that day provided Epsom winners for the next three years. Tibbie proved as gallant a little mare as any man could wish to see, and the winner of big

AU three named are time recordholders at Randwick. Vaals holds the mile and three furlongs record of 2.184, when with 9.6 he won Tattersail’s Cup in 1928, and, with others including Amounis (9.8) the seven furlongs in 1.24:}. Two years after the Manfred Derby Tibbie, carrying 8 stone, won Tattersail’s Club Cup. carving out the inih l and a-half in 2.30-1, thus equalling Wedding Day ’s time record.

Sonic great three year-old . have since beer seven over the same course at Rand wick, but even the mighty Phar Lap might not have been equal to the task that Manfred, in a fractious mood, set himself, and Duncan helped him to achieve that October six years ago.

Unfortunately Manfred’s jibbing at tho start became a habit. lie had not the even temper of some of the great favourites in racing history, such as Carbine, Abercorn, Desert Gold, Limerick, Amounis and Phar Lap.

NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “Kestrel”) There will be racing at three centres on Saturday, the Dargaville meeting being set down for Avondale, the South Canterbury’s Club’s meeting at Timaru and the Masterton meeting at the Opaki course. The Dargaville meeting will be concluded on Monday.

Marton Acceptances Acceptances for all events at the Marton Jockey Club’s spring meeting, to be held next Wednesday, close at 9 o’clock to-morrow night.

Waverley Acceptances For the annual Labour Day meeting of the Waverley Racing Club all acceptances are due on Monday next at 9 o 'clock. Trentham Meeting

The Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting will be held at Trentham on Saturday and Monday, October 24 and 26. Acceptances for all first-day events close to-morrow night at 9 o ’clock. Riders at Masterton

Riding engagements at tho Masterton meeting include: —W. H. Jones, Ephialtes, Michael Angelo, Flower, and Araios; R. J. Mackie, Mister Quex; K. Voitre, Duellona; A. Jenkins, Full Mark, and Cottesmore; S. Wilson, Acis, Clangor, and possibly The Sun.

Music at Waverley A programme of musrc will bo supplied at tho Waverley races cn Monday week by the Queen Alexandra’s Own Band.

Back from Sydney Vali, Chief Joy, Pateena, Prolyxo and Voyagcur, trained by J. T. Jamieson, returned to Auckland, by the Ulimaroa on Tuesday.

For Waverley At a meeting of tho committee of the Waverley Racing Club on Saturday it was reported by tho emergency committee that they recommended that the caterer serve morning and afternoon tea instead of tho “sit down” luncheon. Clubs are gradually falling into line with a policy advocated long ago by the writer. A Brazen Colt Application has been made for the name Impudent for the two-year-old colt by Brazen —Roseburn in J. T. Jamieson’s stable at Takanini. Ho is expected to make his first appearance in tho Nursery Handicap at the Dargaville meeting on Saturday. Fourth in Succession

Concentrate was the fourth Now Zealander in succession to finish second in the Australian Jockey Club’s Metropolitan Handicap. Oratrix was second to Jocelyn in 1928; Nightmarch second to Loquacious in 1928; In the Shade second to Cragford in 1930, and Concentrate second to Strength this year. Oratrix and Nightmarch were subsequent winners of the New Zealand Cup, while last year In the Shade ran third to Nightmarch aud Concentrate. Can Pick “Doubles”

Not content with winning an Epsom Handicap the owners of Autopay have shown that they can pick doubles in which other owners’ horses are concerned, says a Sydney correspondent. Mr Woods was successful in this respect on Wednesday of last week with Nut Cup and Veilmond, and not to be outdone, Mr Aitken drew a minor prize in the State lottery the next day.

King Midas Sold The whole of tho Elgar team has now been disposed of. W. D. Moroney took Tenterdcn with him to Australia. King Midas, who did not com© to the sale at Trentham, was taken up by Moroney some while back, but was eventually disposed of for a modest £2O. King Midas is now being trained at Tauherenikau by D. Hastings, formerly head lad for Moroney, and he will be the first horse to bo raced by his new owner - , Mr L. Clark, of Tauherenikau.

Merry Damon It was reported last week that Merry Damon is not likely to be persevered with further, but will return to his owner at Gisborne. Foaled in 1922 Merry Damon has lasted well. As a two-year-old he won three races at the Auckland Summer meeting, beating Kunnymedc, and he finished up with a win under 10.3 that season. His form since has been in ana our. Some of his performances were first-class, but he had long spells of outs. Late in his career ho went into the stable of G. W. New at Awapuni, who has won some good stakes with him. Plans for Concentrate

After his fine showing in tho Metropolitan Handicap at Kandwick last week, when he was narrowly beaten by the outsider Strength, it is not surprising that Concentrate is to be

taken to Melbourne instead of returning to tho Dominion for tho New Zealand Cup. Concentrate’s weight in tho Melbourne Cup is 8.10. A very sound stayer, he should prove a worthy representative of New Zealand. lie won tho Great Northern St. Leger in the 1928-29 season, the Auckland and Wellington Cups in tho 1929-30 season and last season ran second to Night.march in the New Zealand Cup and third to Motere and Gay Crest in tho Auckland Cup.

Hawke’s Bay Foalings The following foalings to tho Sunstar horse Arausio have taken place at tho Karamu Stud, Hawke’s Bay:— hucinetto (Martian —Lady Lucy) and Conchita (Boniform —Merry Margaret), colts: Hoy (Birkenhead--Links), dam of Anomaly, Shirley and King's Jest, Birkelot (Birkenhead —Camelot), Gur nion (King Mark —Birkelot) and Stymie (Sarto —Waihohiki), fillies. At the Mana Stud, Hawke’s Bay, Tressida (Trcssady-—Princess Melton), dam of Runnyinede, Raasay, Aly Own and Simba, has foaled a colt to Chief Ruler and this season visits tho son-in-law horse Siegfried. At Okawa Stud, Hawke’s Bay, Table Talk (Finland — War Scare) aud Symbolism (Symington —Amphora) have foaled colts to Gascony and Aureate (All Black— Aiuarius) a filly to Hie same sire.

To Visit Vaals The brood mare Lomint (Catmint Loloma) and Marriage Bell (Tea Tray —Gold Treasure), half-sister to Amythas, are this season visiting Vaals at the Mardclla Stud.

Harcourt Cup Contest On the second day of tho Wellington spring meeting the Harcourt Cup, run over a mile and a quarter at weight-for-age, will probably provide a test between the best horses and should bo one of the tit-bits of the racing. As it is generally tho first raco of the season in which the best of tho three-year-olds arc pitted

against tho best of the older brigade at scale weights tho race always has a particular interest. This year’s contest should be no exception, in fact it promises to be most interesting, for the probable runners include Karapoti, Laughing Prince, Bronze Eagle, Hunting Cry, Historic, Lady Pam, King Colossus and Kahikatoa. The presence of these horses alone will bo sufficient to ensure a highly interesting contest. Coveny Recovering. R. E. Covcny, who was injured when Straight Course fell in the Geraldine Cup, has been moved from Timaru to a hospital in Christchurch. He is reported to have stood the trip well and to be progressing favourably, although he will not be lit to ride again for some time.

To Ride Gay Crest. A. E. Ellis has been engaged to ride Gay Crest iu tho New Zealand Cup and will also have tho mount on him at the Wellington meeting. Related to Billion.

Tho A.J.C. Breeders’ Plate winner, Caramba, is a half-brother to Billion, owned by Air. J. A. Symond, of Wairarapa. Caramba is a brown colt by Caravel, son of Cicero and grandson of Cyllene, from Nazetha, sister to Pistolaire, by Pistol, son of Carbine, from Alarie Hall, an imported mare by Sir Geoffrey. Billion, who was sired by Trillion, has won six races in minor company in New Zealand.

Bred in Hawke’s Bay. All for Australia, who ran second in the Giincrack Stakes at Randwick on Wednesday, was bred by Air. W. G. Stead, of Hawke’s Bay, and was sold at the Trentham yearling sales last January for 75 guineas. By Leighton from Cheloma, half-sister to Simper, the filly ig a sister to Chilliad, a winner in Western Australia, and Chelone, and half-sister to Nincompoop and Prince Ferouz. It apepars that All for Australia possesses the speed that one would expect from her breeding, and, as tho second prize in Wednesday’s race was £2OO, she has thus early proved herself a bargain, for it was her first start.

About Maori Boy. With his owner in the saddle, Maori Boy was confined to half-pace work at Avondale on Saturday morning, finishing with a sprint up tho straight. Alaori Boy looks none the worse for his recent racing and if the going is favourable for him on Saturday he should run a good raco in the Dargaville Cup. Little Doubt.

Reports from Ellerslie, state that Little Doubt, who is temporarily stationed at Avondale, looks a picture, and should bo ready to give of his best in the Dargaville Cup. On Saturday morning ho was given light work, brushing home over tho last half-mile at a solid three-quarter pace. Following on his surprise win in the Avondale Cup. Little Doubt ran two good races at Ellerslie, and as tho class engaged in the cup on Saturday is not of tho best he should give a creditable account fo himself. Riding Engagements.

Riding engagements for tho Dargavillo meeting include the following;— H. Gray, Heremia, Huntingdon, High Comedy, Royal Artist and Tea Trader; R. S. Bagby, Gan pat, Clopton, Titanetto; R. Horne, Catch ’Em, Captain Dollar; J. Feme, King Willonyx; H. Gilmer, Principal, Exaggeration; K. Voitre, Closing Time, Dominican; P. Mcllroy, Ruffles, Northern Juveniles.

Tho Avondale Stakes, winner, Te Waipu, is suffering from a cold and has been put aside for the time being. The trouble is reported to be not very serious and she should soon, be ready for racing again. However, it is unlikely that she will be raced at the Dargaville fixture, in which the stable has Foreign Afoney engaged. The latter two-year-old was noticed on the Ellerslie track on Saturday morning, and ho looks improved by his recent racing. He has more size than Te Waipu and may do better later on in the season, while he ought to hold his own in the rather weak company in which he will be competing this week-end, comments “Archer. ” Vandyke Changes Stables.

Tho four-year-old Vandyke, by Leighton —Catalini, formerly trained at Takanini by J. L. Gray, has joined F. Gilchrist’s team at Ellerslie. Vandyke is in fine condition and, as he showed that he was in form by running a good second to Autumn Sun at the Auckland spring meeting, he might not be long in winning a race for his new trainer. At Avondale. Although tho Avondale course received a thorough cutting-up as a result of racing in the wet weather a fortnight ago, the turf has made a fine recovery and the tiack should roll out in fine order for the Dargaville Club’s mooting next Saturday and Alonday. McLean Stakes Winner.

At Wingatui on Saturday Molten bolted in the preliminary for the McLean Stakes and went once round before getting stopped, going not less than a mile and a quarter. They broke away from a good line, and Aloltcn, Alobilc, Arden ’s Beauty, Elgindale and Wealth were the smartest away. Elgiudalc, Alobilc, Aloltcn and Arden’s Beauty were soon joined by Lady Zephyr, who started from 15th. position at the post. At the home turn Alobilc, Lady Zephyr, Elgindale, Aloltcn and Arden’s Beauty were in charge, with Wealth racing handy. Elgindale, Lady Zephyr and Alobilc led into the straight and were still in charge inside the distance, where Alobilc and Lady Zephyr were lighting it out. Wealth then camo with a well-sustained run and got up in time to bent Alobile by a neck. Lady Zephyr faded in the last few strides and finished a length away. Then came Oratorious, Lochend and Blgindalc. Aloltcn settled her chance by bolting in the preliminary and Lady Zephyr would have been much harder with a better barrier position. Tho winner is a big iilly, sure to improve, but her stable mate, Aloltcn, has been much smarter in track work. Oratorious and Elgindale look most likely to improve of the defeated lot.