MELBOURNE CUP

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 157, 21 July 1937, Page 15

MELBOURNE CUP

Three-Year-OWs' Weights In the weights for the Melbourne Cup much intorest i's taken in the treutment oi wlmt are cousidered 'ihe pre'vious seusou's best two-year-olds. This yoar, Mr J. 11. Davis, the Victurian Itauing CJnb hanilicappor, alJotiug Ajax 7st. Slb. has given his opinion that the colt stands ahove his conteinporaries. The basis of wcighting tlje leading two-year-olds seems to rest with the resijlts of the sempcJassics— the Sires Produce Stakes, and Ascot Vale St'akes — at Fleiiiingtoxij aud the Sires' Pro-

duce Stakes and Champagne Stakes, at Randwick in the autumn, and} to a lesser degree the spring two-year-old races. Ajax won three of the four autumn events, and thus was a readymade selection for "superiority." A comparison of weights allotted three-year-olds in the Melbourne Cup in the years back.to 1924, in relatipn to their Cup race performances provideg some interest. In the 13 races for the Melbourne Cup during* that period only four of the handicapper's "best" two-year-olds have contested the long race. Of that quartet Hall Mark is the only winner, Manfred ran second Veilmond fifth, and Rampion 12th. ' ■ During the same period Mr Davis held that the Melbourne two-year-olds over-shadowed the, Sydney brigiade in eight of the 13 years. His handicaps reflected that Gold Rod was easily the: outstanding colt to come under his notice. He gave Gold Rod 7st. 101b. last year, and nearest to him previously were Rampion in 1926, Young Idea and Garrio in 1935, each of whom had 7st. 91b. Manfred (1925), Royal Eeast (1927), JXuvera (1932), Hall Mark (1933), and Dark Sky (1934) were each allotted 7st, 81b. Heroic was on the 7st. 71b. mark in 1924 and Parkwood (1929), Veilmond (1930) and High Brae (1931) were each allotted weight for age, 7st. 61b. The outstanding two-year-old in 1928 was Mollison, but not heing" entered for the Melbourne Cup, Mr Davis allotted topweight to Ramulus at 7st. 51b. Another outstanding colt who was not entered for the Cup as a two-year-old was Ammon Ra in 1931, and in his absence High Brae was considered best. Ajax is, on his weight comparison^ rated the equal of Hall Mark, and he is by the same sire, froiu the same taproot line. Three-Year-Old Winners, The only otker three-year-old winners of the Melbourne Cup, apart from Hall Mark, from 1924, were Trivalve in 1927, and Peter Pan in 1932. In Trivalve' s year Royal Eeast was considered the best juvenile, and Trivalve Wsyighted at 7st. 31b. in the Cup was in receipt of 51b. Statesman was rated ilb. less than Trivalve that year, but did not run, coming out a year later to win with 8st. In 1928, Ramulus, head of the two-year-olds, giying Strephon 41b., did not hold his engageinent, but Strephon ran seoond to Statesman. Peter Pan's original handicap was 7st. which was 81b. from the top of the juveniles' list, but after his Derby wins he carried weight for agie, .7st, 61b, Phar Lap was given only 6st. 121b. in his year. Parkwood, a sprinter only, having 7st, 61b, Phar Lqp, with his increase to weight for age, the weight given Parkwood at the outset, finished third to Nightmarch and Paquito. Mr Davis has this year rated the first six two-year-olds within 31b, Lynch Law, who failed to stand his autumn preparation and is regarded as the best in this State, is bracketed at 7st. 71b. with Hua, wh° won the V.R.C. Sires' Produce Stakes. The New Zealand colt Erancis Drake and the Melbourne colt Lochlee haye 7st. 61b. and another New Zealander, Court Craft, has 7st. 51b., 11b. less than weight for age.