THE YOUNGSTERS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 65, 3 April 1937, Page 8

THE YOUNGSTERS

— From "Early Bird.")

Several Good Ones Seen In Action ROYAL CHIEF, STAYER

(By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, This Day. Now thattlie best iwo-year-olds have had practically their last race .of the season — the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes is the only classic now remaining to be decided — tlxe position is not very different from what it was after the midsummer meeting at Ellerslie, for the same three youngsters are at the head of the roll of houour. These are Francis Drake, Smoke Screen and Royal Chief. Haughty Winner came into the picture in the intervening three months, and so did Courtcraft. Analysing the form of the youngsters it would seem that there are several smart two-year-olds about, more so than for several seasons past, so that it promises well for the three-year-old contests next term, which will he welcomed in view of the fact that the ■ three-year-olds this season have heen disappointing. By hxs narrow victory over Francis Drake in the G.N. Champagne Stakes on Monday at Ellerslie Smoke Screen proved himself bette*than ihe Woodville colt on the day and must therefore he gdven a very high place among those of his age, for the youngster he defeated i#as considered to be the best. Honours Nearly Even. There . wa# never anything between Smoke Screen and Francis Drake at any stage of the Ellerslie classic, witlx Smoke Screen just outstaying his opponent near the post. As against. this the winner had the inside running, although Francis Drake handled the right-handed going better than he did at his last two appearances at headquarters. Then again the going was worse alongside' the rail, which might in itself suggest that Smoke Screen was mdre at home in the thick stuff. As there was only a nose between them and the turf was heavy, the future only may decide which is the better under all conditions. One may be rather optimistic to nominate . Francis Drake as likely to prov'e superior to Smoke Screen next season, but that is the opinion held. The trainer of Royal Chief has all along maintained that his colt is a born stayer aixd in view of his two successes over seven furlongs to date he appears to he right. Therefore when it comeg to the classics next season the Riccarton youngster may prove superior especially at the longer distance3. Incidentally, jockey H. Wiggins was offer,ed all expenses plus a solid lump sum to ride Royal Chief on Tuesday, and leaving Auckland on Monday 'night by train he stepped out of the Union "Clipper" 17 hours later, having travelled approximately 600 miles. Shortly afterwards he brouglxt Royal Chief home in the Challenge stages. The Second-Raters. Airam revealed her steady improvement by finishing in front ' of all but Smbke Screen and Francis Drake at Ellerslie, while The Crooner also went a fine race. It was pleasing to note the steady ixnprovement made by the Te Rapa youngster Royal Bachelor, for he won both handicap events in impressive fashion. He is a perky little fellow, full of muscle, and given time he should develop into a brilliant three-year-old.' His two wins, with Whirlingj gaining a Mr B. T. Reid, on top of the winning owners at Ellerslie with £900. Mr Reid is at present in Sydney on a health rejruiting trip. Royal Bachelor may develop stamina, for he is by the staying Musketoon. He is out of the Leighton mare Reveal, but his granddam is by the English horse Blink, who was third . in the Tow Thousand Guineas and run-ner-up in the Derby, Gainsborough winning both classics, run in 1918 at Newmarket. ' Wildflower ran two solid races under stiff imposts to be runner-up to Royal Bachelor each day, conceding the winner 221b and. 161b respectively. This hlly was not seen at her best and now with a let-up until next season she may add interest to the three-year-old races. Her owner, the Rangitikei spo'rtswoman, Mrs A. H. Marshall, was a bit unfortunate in her luck at the meeting, for Fore'st Glow aiso carried her colours into second place at the meeting, these being worth in all £210Of the other youngsters seen at Ellerslie this week rather impressive was Saccone, who has so far done very little racing. On Tuesday he revealed a lot of pace to go with Royal Bachelor to the distanee and then finish third. Saccone is a well-grown ehestnut by Surveyor from the one-time Fijian but Australian-bred mare Adi Vunivola and he carries tlxe colours of the wellknown Fijian sportBman, Mr A. E. Pearce. Saccone is a half-brother to the speedy but rather erratic Thangilamba. Among the failures at Ellerslie were Nuclei and Dragon Moth, the latter crackiug np badly on Tuesday, wlxile on the opening day the conditions might have itad something to do with the defeats of Royal Vaals and Barricade. The last-mentioned is growing into a fine type. r