ON THE SAME DAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 26, 22 April 1927, Page 7

ON THE SAME DAY

ST. LEGER WINNERS LIMERICK—COMMENDATION BOTH WIN ST. LEGERS LIMOND'S YEAR Probably for the first time in the history of the New Zealand and Australian turf horses by the same sire on the same day succeeded in winning long distance classics, the Australian St. Leger and the Great Northern St. Leger. This was a most unique occurrence, and no doubt it will be a very long time before this feat is repeated. Fate in the way of the weather played its part in the arranging of affairs, for the big Sydney event was set down to be decided last Saturday, and so heavy did the rain fall that the Australian Jockey Club had perforce to postpone the opening day until the Monday, LIMOND VERSUS MARTIAN It is not well known how Limerick romped home at Randwick from his stable mate Battlement, and the fact that the latter is by that noted sire of stayers. Martian, added to the knowledge that he is a full brother to The Cypher, who had exceedingly hard luck in being beaten by a head in the Mel-

bourne Cup a few seasons ago—these point to the great triumph scored by Limond, the sire of Limerick. This was last Monday afternoon, and at very nearly the same hour of that day Commendation, the magnificent Limond gelding, succeeded in no uncertain fashion in pulling off the St. Leger it Ellerslie. Indeed, there have been some easy wins in this Auckland classic, but it is doubted if ever a field was shown up so much as last Monday. THE TWO BEST Limond holds the record of having sired the two leading three-year-olds in the Dominion, for there is nothing in sight of their own age to challenge the supremacy of Commendation and Limerick. Perhaps also the English sire may lay claim to having got the best tillv in Lady Desmond, for despite* the defeat that went down against her last Saturday the writer is of the opinion that she is the best of her sex over a distance. This makes it all the more regrettable that Mr. T. Newman’s filly was not able to reproduce her best at Ellerslie last week-end. Mr. G. M. Currie has no reason to regret his purchase of Limond in England, for the imported horse has proved his ability to beget both sprinters and stayers. Outside of the three mentioned, other good ones are Agrion, Alloway and Mask, to name a few that come to mind. IMPROVED WITH EXPERIENCE, The first of Limond’s progeny were not at all impressive, but there is no doubt as to their ability. In the two-year-old Agrion there is the makings of an ideal Derby colt, and in R. J. Mason’s care it is expected that that astute trainer will once more make a descent on the A.J.C. Derby at Randwick in September, so this colt may succeed where Limerick failed last year.

The Leightons and Absurds have done well this season, but it will be generally agreed that the 1926-7 racing year is a Limond year. In Limond and Absurd the Koatanui stud possesses two splendid sires, and with the recent addition of Thespian, a son of Absurd whose stock already show promise, they will continue to be for some time well up in the winning list. Mr. Currie has shown commendable enterprise in his efforts to improve the blood of the Dominion’s thoroughbreds, and his efforts have met with their own wellmerited reward.