CHILDSPLAY'S CLASSIC TASK

NZ Truth, Issue 1151, 22 December 1927, Page 9

CHILDSPLAY'S CLASSIC TASK

Great Northern Foal Stakes Will Provide Real Test

(Prom "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) That compact piece of racing machinery, Childsplay 1 , which will startle onlookers who observe her for the first time m the G-.N. Foal Stakes on Monday by her freedom of action, will be truly tested m the classic under discussion.

IT is admitted that she remains unbeaten -to date, but m tackling the six-furlong task at Ellerslie she will need to be quite as good a3 her. firm admirers believe to stall .off defeat. It seems almost sure that she will bound to the head of affairs from the hop- off and lead the others into the final stretch, but not until the last furlong: is entered upon will it be safe to conclude that she is a moral, for what looked just as good as Childsplay have gone under before to-day m the Foal Stakes. Cimabuo, which displayed phenomenal pace at different stages of his juvenile career, failed last year when the final pinch came. And some of. those booked for engagement next Monday have given great promise that they will stay on six furlongs well. The most likely to be looming vp — should Childsplay be off color on the day — are Ridgemount, Prince Humphrey and Staghunter. As for Ridgemount, he is stated to be one of the best two-year-olds W. G. Stead ever produced. The mere fact that he could win at Randwick should be enough to raise expectations. Prince Humphrey will be improved since the middle spring, and will probably get nearer to Childsplay with the extra furlong than that traversed at Trentham. Staghunter's deeds have been very impressive, and he will command attention once Captain Gage-Williams strips him for action before an Ellerslie audience. Raasay has been galloping m great style, but is also m the Nursery, while Freehold and Episode are a pair with more than ordinary pace. • THE PUNTERS' OUTLOOK DUNTERS who can do nothing right and who intend to have a modest £ 1 investment on every race • during the holiday fixtures at Ellerslie and Alexandra Park, can contemplate doing over fifty of the best and brightest, for there will be at least 53 events decided. Another matter worth noting Is that punters ar© going to provide well over £70,000 at the lowest estimate m percentages and taxes during the northern trip. But what does it matter? Racing is worth It and the country needs the money.

Prodice is an Avondale Stakes winner, but will now be pitted against something rich. Marion's Birthday and White Wings may be better suited m the Nursery. All things considered, the race should be worth witnessing, and it remains to be seen whether Childsplay can be caught the final bit of the trip. Her beginning powers may win the day for her, and at the finish the judge may have to decide between CHILDSPLAY, RIDGEMOUNT and PRINCE HUMPHREY.

TO MAKE HISTORY? Rapier m the Auckland Cup. AimimiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiimiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiK AGRION'S PRESENCE TT is more than likely Agrion's pres- ■*• ence at Ellerslie will frighten a few out of the G.N. Derby before the day, though the minor place money of 600sovs., and 300sovs. is almost certain to command a reasonably-sized field groins to the post. Even when Commendation looked the moral last year which he proved to be, nine others took the field against him, while there was a like number of starters when Star Stranger won two years back. AJ. COOK led m his second sue- • cessive winner of the Waipa Plate when Lord Abbey survived by little more than a lip from Micrometer last Saturday. Atareria was the previous one, but that nag 1 has been a, failure ever since.