ADAGE CONFIRMED

Evening Post, Issue 37, 12 August 1936, Page 13

ADAGE CONFIRMED

FAVOURITES IN CASHMERE

There is an old racing adage that the larger the field the bigger the certainty, and in the numerous field that went out to contest the Cashmere Plate it was the first three favourites that filled the places. The winner was Sir Hugh, who looked the likeliest prospect on past form, but who was relegated into second favouritism on the machine by Autumn Wind, who doubtlessly owed his preference to the fact that L. J. Ellis was in his saddle. The third favourite, Cape Gabo, finished in that position.

Autumn Wind, though beginning from a wide marble (No. 18), was quickly conspicuous at the head of the field, and, racing to the course proper, he had charge from Culotte, Recollection, Sunbeam, and Cape Gabo, with Sir Hugh (another to draw wide) handy. Autumn Wind was still going along well at the distance,. but Sir Hugh put in a sterling challenge over the last furlong and he passed the leader at the first winning post and had nearly a length advantage at the second winning post, which is the finishing mark for six furlongs at Riccarton. ■ . ■ '■-..■..

Sir Hugh gave promise as a juvenile last season and at his final start he was third to two good youngsters, Paper Slipper and Epic, at the C.J.C. Easter Meeting. He is a bay gelding by the Son-in-Law horse Philamor from the Solferino—Dame Straitlace mare Mistress Quickly, a half-sister to Quite Soon and Culotte, and he is owned by his breeder, Mr. D. O. Rutherford, who won the same event two years ago with Top Rank. Autumn Wind, a six-year-old gelding by Paper Money who has done very little racing, was second recently at Wingatui, and he is possessed of sufficient pace to be an early winner for Mr. G. J. Barton. Only Sir Hugh was any match for him in yesterday's field.

Cape Gabo, a four-year-old halfbrother by Cape Horn to Spearmiss and Hystride, has filled a lot of minor platings during the last few, months and his turn should also come before long. He was always fairly prominent yesterday, but his third was two lengths behind Autumn Wind.

The best of the remainder were Rousseau, Sunbeam, and Orange Bud. Rousseau and Orange Bud, who were having their first race, both.finished well and promise to develop useful class with experience. Sunbeam was well up throughout. Roy Bun and Thermidor were others finishing on at the close, but. Culotte and Recollection found the distance beyond them yet. Jedforest could not be pulled up and galloped round the course again.