ROYAL CHIEF

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20063, 9 October 1939, Page 4

ROYAL CHIEF

RANDWICK VICTORY BRILLIANT FINISH HIGH CASTE AGAIN CLIBBORN STAKES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—-United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct. 9, 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 8. The New Zealand horse Royal Chief was his old self again when, in a brilliant finish, he won the Randwick Plate at the Australian Jockey Club’s meeting at Randwick on Saturday from the heavily-backed Melbourne Cup favourite, Mosaic. There were times during the running of the race when Royal Chief looked well beaten, but luckily Mosaic, though making all the pace, lacked a finishing effort and thus became an easy prey for the New Zealander, whose narrow and thrilling win was heartily cheered. Owing to the fact that the race was not run in under 3.35, the prize money, £1250, is automatically reduced to half, £625, which represents the high cost of "loafing.” High Caste played with his rivals in ,the Clibborn Stakes, which he won in style. This fellow is regarded as the outstanding colt of the meeting. L’Aiglon achieved a well-deserved victory in the Waverley Handicap. He has had a very lean time since winning the Sydney Cup in April, 1938. The weather on Saturday was glorious and the course was in good order after rain on Friday. The attendance was 30,000, compared with 36,000 on the Saturday last year. Results: — Canonbury Stakes, of £700; 5 furlongs; for two-year-olds who have not hitherto been placed.—Victorine, by Melfort (imp.)—Gallant Victory, 8.0 (W. Cook), 1; The Elk, 8.5 (Munro), 2; Peruke, 8.5 (O’Sullivan), 3. Seventeen started, but there were no New Zealand-bred horses. Victorine, who is a fine galloper, won by a length, comfortably, with Peruke third. Agog was fourth. Time, 1.1.1. Waverley Handicap, of £700; 12 miles.—L’Aiglon, 9.2 (Munro), 1; Head Check, 7.5 (Podmore), 2; Vestal, 7.11 (Cook), 3. Scratched: Pantler, Bristol. Young Crusader led to the turn, where L’Aiglon shot to the front and won easily by two lengths, with Vestal a length away, third. Red Sails was fourth. Time, 3.3}. Chester Handicap, of £700; 6 furlongs.—Caesar, 9.11 (Cook), 1: Red Thespian. 9.7 (Thorley), 2; Benburb, 7.7 (Hughes), 3. Eighteen started, including Olympus who, after being fifth into the straight, finished fourteenth. Caesar, although he met with interference and was knocked back to last, came round the turn with a terrific run and won going away by two lengths, with half a length between second and third. Brazandt was fourth. Time, 1.122. RANDWICK PLATE, Of £1250; w.f.0.; 2 miles. ROYAL CHIEF, 9.6 (Bartle) .. 1 MOSAIC, 9.0 (Munro) .. .. 2 BRISTOL, 9.6 (Weiss) .. ..3 Scr.: L’Aiglon. The three runners travelled only at leisurely pace for a mile and a quarter, with Mosaic acting as pacemaker fi'om Royal Chief. The latter was joined by Bristol at the five-l'urlong post, and the trio turned for home practically on terms. Royal Chief, responding gamely to the jockey’s call, drew level with Mosaic in the straight, and a ding-dong battle ensued. The New Zealander won in the last few strides by a long head, with Bristol two lengths away, third. Time, 3.43}. The winner was cheered on returning to the scale. Clibborn Stakes, of £700; three-year-olds; 1 mile. —High Caste, 9.3 (Bartle) * 1; Dashing Cavalier, 8.7 (Coutts), 2; Binnia Hero, 8.0 (Briscoe), 3. Eight started. Jazbeau was scratched. High Caste came from fourth to the command in the straight and won easily by a length. Dashing Cavalier finished strongly, half a length in front of Binnia Hero, with Dollar fourth. Time, 1.37}. Final Handicap, 1} miles.—'Leif, 6.12 (Podmore), 1; Braidwood Boy, 7.9 (Briscoe), 2; Pen Name, 6.12 (Selwood), 3. Fifteen started, including Cherry Bar. A neck each way. Salazar was fourth. Time, 2.4}.