STREPHON IN ENGLAND

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17982, 29 March 1930, Page 7 (Supplement)

STREPHON IN ENGLAND

HORSE WILL NOT RETURN, OWNER LEAVES AUSTRALIA

Because of Mr Sol Green having made victory in the Ascot Gold Cup his objective in sending Strephon (to he known in future as Strephon II) to England, it lias been assumed that ever since the wonderful chestnut left Australia that his English debut would be made in that event. Mr Green sailed by the mail steamer Orford on Tuesday March 18 (writes “Khedive" in the Melbourne Sporting Globe.)

Before leaving lie stated that Strephon’s first outing on an English racecourse would be in the Kempton Park Great Jubilee Handicap, on Saturday, May 17. This will bring the test of relative quality much nearer than had been anticipated. The Ascot Gold Cup Is not set down for decision until Thursday, June 19. .On reflection, of course, It is only logical that Strephon will need a gallop with the colours up before measuring strides with the greatest English and Continental thoroughbreds over an exhausting journey of two miles and a half.

Weight Possibilities. The distance of the Kempton Park Great Jubilee Handicap is only half as long as that of the Ascot Gold Cup. Failure- of Strephon in a mile and a quarter event on handicap terms would not necessarily mean that his chance was hopeless in a marathon contest at special weights. It goes without saying, also, tiiat success in the contest at Kempton Park would not render him unbeatable at Ascot. There is a possibility—remote though it be—that Mr Green's standard bearer will be “thrown into” the Great Jubilee Handicap. •Merman (Grand Flaneur —Seaweed) won the Williamstown Cup of 1896 as a four-year-old. Sold to. Mrs Lily Langtry, the famous actress, lie was shipped to England, and in the following year defeated 22 rivals in the Cesarewitch Stakes, of 2| miles. Australian form was held in such light regard then that Merman had the luxurious burden of 7.5, when of corresponding age to Strephon at present. Strephon, who left us as a three-year-old, now’ ranks as a five-year-old by English time. He has had much more time to acclimatise than that allotted Merman. It is safe to predict that the English handicapper will not take a similar liberty in regard to Strephon as was taken by his predecessor with Merman. Conditions Compared. The Ascot Gold Cup is a sweepstakes of £2O each, with £SOOO added, second horse taking £7OO, and third £2OO. Weights are on the following scale: —Three-year-olds, 7.7; Tour-year-olds, 9-0; older horses, 9.4. As a five-year-old Strephon will carry 9.4. Two years ago, when the Australian jockey, Brownie Carslake, scored on Invershin, the winner’s share was £3600. 'Rarely have there been more than 10 starters. Established in 1807, this- event was known as the Emperor’s Plate between 184553. In 1917 and 1918 (war years) it was called the Newmapket Gold Cup. Dating back to only 1887, the Kempton Park Great Jubilee Handicap has occasionally attracted more than 20 runners. In 1928 it was worth £2450 to the winner.

Strephon Is brilliant enough to win at a mile and a quarter, but may not be forward enough in condition., His trainer, S. Darling, probably recommended Mr Green to take on this race as a plpeopenep for the more Important contest a month later. Questioned as to what his plans were In regard to Strephon after the Ascot Gold Cup essay, IVir Sol Green replied that he could not possibly say at this Juncture. On one point, however, IVir Green was emphatic: Win or lose, Strephon will not return to Australia for racing or stud purposes. “There is,” he added, no comparison betwen the English thoroughbred and any other horse. Other countries may have their vintage years, but England is the home of the thoroughbred.”

These expressions may be interpreted to mean that Mr Green considers it would be futile to repatriate Strephon with a view to making profit out him at the stud. If in need of stallions for his Underbank establishment at Bacchus Marsh, he will seek them in England. Rich reward attended his purchase of Comedy King as a foal at foot of Tragedy Queen, and the Importation of Gothic has proved very remunerative. Actually the first stallion imported by Mr Green was Predominant, whom he acquired in India. Predominant sired many good ponies.

Expensive Experiment. Rich men can afford to indulge in hobbies, and the sending of Strephon to England falls into that category. Had he remained here, the chestnut almost certainly would have Increased his stake winnings by many thousands of pounds. Asked what he had expended already on the English venture, Mr Green replied that lie was unable 1o saiy, not having received any 'bills so tar from the oilier side of tlie world; but he apprehends that the cost will be very heavy. There are much more valuable events than the Ascot Gold Cup lo he annexed in Australia, but if- Strephon •captures that historic race and none other his owner will feel amply satisfied. German’s Great Deeds. Unquestionably, Strephon .ought to have won tho Melbourne Cup of 1328. His failure was quite as unlucky as that.of Phar Lap last year. In IS9Q Newhavon carried off the Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup, and was the autumn hero at Flemington and (Continued m column.)

Randwick, notwithstanding sensational defeats in the V.R.C. St. Leger and fI.J.C. Ali-aged Stakes. Like Strephon, ha then was shipped to England. Strephon, may 'improve on the overseas record of Newhaven, who, however, managed to win a City and Suburban Handicap, but he never can eclipse the achievements of Merman abroad.

For four seasons Merman was the greatest long-distance performer in Great Britain, liis triumphs comprised:—l.B97: Cesarewitch Stakes, 21miles, 7.3. 1898: .lockey Club Gup, 2j miles. 9.2. 1899: Goodwood Stakes, about 2 miles and 3 furlongs, 9.0: Goodwood Cun, about 2 miles 5 furlongs. 9.5. 1900: Ascot Gold Cup, 2 i miles, 9.0. Merman was aged when he succeeded in the Ascot Gold Cup, as Hie crowning feat of his career. Can Strephon land Hie spoils as a Ave-ycar-oldi