NEW ZEALAND HORSES IN SYDNEY

Evening Star, Issue 19665, 19 September 1927, Page 15

NEW ZEALAND HORSES IN SYDNEY

WARWICK FARM SUCCESSES LIMERICK'S GREAT EFFORT Sydney files to hand contain full details of the Warwick Farm Meeting on September 3, when Limerick and Commendation mot for the first time in their Australian campaign. The following abridged report by “ Pilot,” in the Sydney ‘ Referee,’ on the events in which Neiv Zealanders figured will be read with interest: — Limerick is a great horse from a mile onwards. At Warwick Farm he gave Commendation and _ Amounis two lengths’ start commening the final furlong and defeated them. It is doubtful whether any of the remaining w.f.a. races to be run at the spring meetings will be productive of greater thrill than tho_ Warwick Stakes. There wore only six starters, but Limerick and Commendation represented New Zealand’s best, and it is unnecessary to say anything about Amounis and Valicaro as proved milers. New Zealanders were divided concerning Limerick and Commendation. Those who had seen the latter race in the dominion favored him, believing he was more brilliant than Limerick, while, on the other hand, those who were in Sydney last spring and autumn pinned their faith to the latter on the score that he was likely to prove too solid for the bay at the finish. At the close of tlio betting, Valicare and Limerick wore equal favorites, with Commendation close up in the quotations. At the barrier Commendation was nasty, rearing several times, but, though he was sent to the outside, Cairns got him away in the lead. He did not long retain it, as Valicaro was quickly taken to the front, and, covering the first three furlongs in 3GI-, led at that stage, live lengths from Commendation, at whose heels was Amounis, with Limerick a couple of lengths further off. , The first half-mile was run m 49, and a little further on the way the other runners were closing on Valicare made it certain she would win. i ' At the three furlongs Valicaro loci’ Commendation a length, and the latter was only half a* length in advance of Amounis, with Limerick two lengths away. Before entering the straight Valicare gave place to Commendation and Amounis, Limerick being fourth. At the legcr Amounis headed Commendation, and, though Limerick could bo seen closing the gap, ‘‘ He’s too late,” was the general comment. It seemed so, too, as he commenced the last furlong two lengths behind the leaders; but, responding in most generous fashion, ho was not more than a neck from Amounis fifty yards from the winning post. Sustaining his run, Limerick won by a long head from Amounis, who similarly '"beat Commendation, with Valamitii and Coin Nut throe or four lengths further away, and Valicaro whipping in. The time,’l.3B, equalled the course record, and the first live furlongs wore run by Valicare in I.l]. I have already mentioned that sho cut out the first' three furlongs in 30.], and, ns Limerick was about eight lengths behind her at that stage, ho must, at worst, have run the concluding five furlongs in Imiu. Although he won, Limerick is not yet exactly partial to Warwick .Farm., When M'Cnrien was ungirthing Limerick prior to weighing in, I heard him _ say_ to F. Jones: “lie was never going right with mo in the early part of the race.” That being so, it is no wonder Jones is looking forward with pleasurable anticipation to what Limerick will do at Randwick, a course that him. (Limerick won at Randwick last Saturday week, and also the Hill Stakes at the Rosehill meeting last Saturday, giving the New Zealand horse three wins for three starts.) COMMENDATION’S FORM. «

“A bit new,” was G. Jones’s comment after the race respecting Commendation, and that correctly summed up the position. Nevertheless, Commendation ran a great race, as, though Amounts beat him only a head for second, ho was more than that in advance of the New Zealander a hundred yards from the judge’s box. Commendation must have taken something cut of himself by his behavior at the starting post, and, all going well with him, his chance of success in the Craven Plate is still excellent. Limerick is bound to get a hard race in the Metropolitan, as will Amomiis, if he runs, and Commendation will be at the advantage of being quite fresh when he tackles them on the third day. Limerick’s win was his seventh in Sydney, and Gothic and he are now at almost prohibitive odds for the Epsom Handicap and Metropolitan double. THE HOBARTVILLE STAKES. Merry Mint, improving greatly on his form at Rosehill, ran away from the Sydney three-ycar-okls after turning into the straight in the Hobartvillc Stakes. The time was slower than when llampion won last year. The favorite, Grecnline, held a slight lead a little over three furlongs Irom homo, but Merry Mint had him well beaten at the turn. Grcenlinc was knocked over hy another horse when working at Randwick on Monday of last week, but on Thursday ho galloped so well at seven furlongs with Lady Constance that .1 was not inclined to look beyond him for the winner of tho Hobartvillc Stakes. He. was favorite throughout, but tho biggest stable commission for anything was Jor Merry Mint, who was hacked at a remunerative price. On top of his defeat by Prime Don and Chromium at Rosehill a fortnight earlier this was a surprise, and suggests that something not generally noted must have happened Merry Mint in that race. There , was some delay at the start, which, however, was a good one. Merry Mint, from an inside position, commenced very smartly, and lod along the hack. At the half-mile Hahashon, Chromium, and Groenlino were with him, and a little ’ further on Toohey forced Greeuline to the front. Merry Mint had no trouble in joining him again, and coming to tho bend it was apparent t.ie former was doing tho bettor. Their nearest followers were Justify, Chromium, and Black Duchess. Merry Mint led into tho straight from Greenline, • Justify, Black Duchess, and Chromium. His rider, Bartle, decided it would he unwise to cut it close, and he sent Merry Mint along in earnest, with the result that ho fairly lost the opposition. Arikiwai did not do as well as his trainer anticipated, but as ho shows a lot of pace in private there may still be hope for him. Apart from Merry Mint there was so little between several at tho finish as to suggest that most of our three-year-olds are decidedly moderate. The time, 1.27, was a half-second slower than when Rampion beat Limerick last year. At his first win in Sydney Merry Mint beat an exceptionally poor field, and when he /ailed in stronger company a week later, I was among the many who thought his initial success had caused him to he overrated. Now he is seriously entering into backers’ Derby calculations. THE 'A.J.C. DERBY. Tho record field for the A.J.C. Derby Is sixteen, and for each of the last three years runners have only totalled seven. This year, however, runners will be numerous. Victoria will have more than usual, and New Zealanders still in are Merry Mint, Arikiwai, Stretton, and Royal Lineage. , n “ What will win tho A.J.C. Derby i*

of racing men (says Pilot> ni the Sydney ‘ Referee ’). The retirement or Royal Feast and Agrion is responsible for a largo first acceptance, and at present it is difficult to say what will start favorite. Merry Mint’s form at Warwick Farm entitles him to more consideration than any other Derby candidate that has recently raced in Sydney. A doubt is now raised as to whether he will stay, but breeding is not against him on that score. He is by a Spearmint horse, Oatmint, from Merry Roe, who, in addition to being a first-class performer, is by Soult (son of St. Simon), ami on the maternal side runs back to Trenton. On two-year-old form Trivalvc stands out from most of those engaged. Uhen he won at seven furlongs at Flemington in the autumn his finish was that or a potential stayer, and, though the fact of his dam, Trey, being by The Uelkm docs not make strong appeal where distance is concerned, there is an exception’ to every rule. Another thing is that Trey’s dam, Teppo, is by Ladas from Dum Dum, by Carbine. , 'Summing up the prospects lor me classic event after the Warwick raim Meeting, “Pilot” places his confidence in Trivalve, Merry Mint, Statesman, Sion, Ragazzo, and Winalo.l, [A cable received last week stated that Merry Mint was amiss.]