SPORTING.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1933, Page 8

SPORTING.

THE MELBOURNE CUT. ORDEAL FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS The fact Unit Peter Pan lias developed un sound ness emphasises the point that thy winning of the Melbourne Cup at three years old entails a very severe ordeal and in some canes leads to loss of form and a shortened career. Palrobas, who in 1915 distinguished himself by winning .the Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup, was never again really the same colt and was of poor account at four years old. Trivalve, who won the- double in 1927, finished his . racing career in the following autumn.

It is quite true that in the old days Several three-year.-clds who won cup honours in the. spring raced well subsequent years, but the pace set was much slower than it- is now. When •Merriwee scored in 1899 the time was, 3.36, and Posiedon’s time in 1906 was 3.3j£. Trivalve was required to run 3.24 and Peter Pan’s time last year was 3,235. Peter Pan won all his engagements in the autumn, but it was x popular belief that the severe test in the Melbourne Cup had left its mark noon him. It is to he hoped that he will come round all right, but an opinion prevails that- the may not stand another preparation .

AUSTRALIA’S BEST MILER

CHATHAM AT FIVE,YEARS

Having scored three successive victories in his opening, engagements at five years old, Chatham appears to have bright-prospects of having another very successful season. At the close of his four-year-old career it was feared that respiratory troubles would prevent him from reproducing his best form, but treatment has apparently •effected a complete cure. He is engaged in the Epsom Handicap with 9.10, 111 b more than he carried to victory last year, when lie ran the mile in the last time of 1.37.

LUCK OF THE SALE-RING. CLASSIC WINNER. FOR 220GNS. Middle Watch, winner of the V.R.C St. Leger and A.J.O. St. Leger i 1932, was sent up to auction in Me bourne last March, and, although th ridding reached to only 200 guineas le was sold. The buyer, Mr W- Tin fall, was considered to have made to Investment as a gamble, for there wer loubts whether, the horse would stan t. preparation. Middle Watch 1m :rained on satisfactorily, and at th •ecent Moon-ee Valley meeting won th Oorrohoree Handicap of £3OO. He hi 10 in both the Caulfield Cup anMelbourne Gup. HIGH; PRICED FOALS. NOTABLE PITCH ASES.

The purchase of yearlings is regarded' as’ a. great lottery, but how much morel so. is, tbfe.oipurchase of foals? At a, recent sale in England a filly by Tet-ratema from the Diligence mare Anne of Brittainy was bought by Lord Ellesmere lor 2000 guineas. The record price for a foal sold in England is 5030 guineas, paid by the Aga Khan a few veal's ago for a colt by Solarfo from Mont o’Or. The colt was named Khorsheed, hut, although -highly bred and of attractive physique, he failed to win distinction. It will be interesting to see whether Lord Ellesmere experiences better fortune. An Australian horse purchased as a foal for 503 guineas who proved a golden bargain was Molli-son, a son of Seremond and Molly’s Robe, who at two years old won all seven races in which he started, the stakes amounting to £17,318, while his subsequent earnings brought his total to £30,829. Mr E .M. Pearce, of Melbourne, was the lucky buyer.