DERBY PROSPECTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 52, 24 May 1927, Page 6

DERBY PROSPECTS

WILL AGRION GO TO AUSTRALIA? CIMABUE A BRILLIANT YOUNGSTER

AGRION is regarded as the leading two-year-old of the Dominion, but that is not to say that he will have matters all his own way as a three-year-old.

Agrion was unlucky when beaten by a head by Gascony in the Great Northern Foal Stakes, and the manner in which he strode away from Gascony in thd Royal Stakes bears out this statement. In the latter race he was several lengths behind the others at the straight entrance, but over the last two furlongs he simply flew past his field, and at the finish defeated his opponents in such an easy manner that he was rated the champion two-j'ear-pld of the season. He followed up this success by scoring a hollow win in the Middle Park Plate at Riccarton, but in the Champagne Stakes he was easily beaten by his stable mate, Eulalie- He was not knocked about in that race, and on the concluding day of the meeting he easily outclassed the opposition in the Challenge Stakes. When Agrion raced in Sydney he ran unplaced at his only start, but so impressed were Randwick critics with his efforts on the track that they concluded he would turn out a top-notcher later in the season. The son of Limond has built up into a fine colt since his return from Sydney, and being by Limond is already being discussed as a colt likely to win Derby honours. The youngster has always finished well in his races, and shows a distinct inclination of running on. However, it is safe to state he will be taken to Randwick to contest the rich A.J.C. Derby, that is if he furnishes well during the winter months, and, as he is susceptible to improvement it is more than likely that he will visit Randwick in the spring. Gascony Should Stay.

Gascony defeated Agrion in the Great Northern Foal Stakes, hut in view of the latter’s easy win in the Royal Stakes it is reasonable to suppose that the Limond colt is the better youngster at two years- Some enthusiastic admirers of Gascony contend that he was not at his best in the Royal Stakes, but taking tliis fact into consideration, it docs not place him on the same level as Agrion, who gave him nearly 10 lengths start in the Foal Stakes, and then ran him to a head. However, Gascony is a firstclass colt, with plenty of grit and determination. He proved this in the Champagne Stakes, for when he appeared beaten by In The Shade and Paganelli, half a furlong from home, it was only sheer gameness that landed him a winner. He is not a bad looking sort, and taking a line through his breeding he should run out a distance. Cimabue Brilliant. Prior to contesting the Foal Stakes Cimabue was hailed as a champion, but through his failure to beat Gascony and Agrion in that race he lost caste with hackers. When the son of Leighton paraded in the bird-cage he looked very well, but in his preliminary did not hit out as well as many expected. Nevertheless, he started a warm favourite for the race, and before the field had gone a furlong he was out in front forcing the pace. Some people are of the opinion this proved his undoing, and though he was never able to shake off Gascony, who was lying in behind him for the greater part of the journey, he seemed to he galloping in a very free style- . It will he remembered the track was in a heavy state, and though beaten on his merits it is reasonable to suppose he would have been a harder proposition had the course been in good order.

Gascony again finished in front of Cimabue in the Champagne Stakes, the latter being right up in fifth position at the finish.

Before the race Mr W. G- Stead stated that lie did not fancy his horse, but thought the gallop would do him good and sharpen him up for his race ou the second day. This proved correct, for on the second day of the meeting he carried 9.13, and easily outclassed the opposition, running the distance in the fast time of lmin 13 4-ssec. The outing on the first day worked a wonderful improvement in the Leighton youngster, and though well supported by keen judges he was allowed to go out paying a false price. Cimabue’s Speed.

After his easy victory in the Victoria Handicap, Cimabue was considered Heremoana’s most formidable opponent in the All Aged Stakes, run a few days later on the same course. Cimabue was a good second favourite, and as he was carrying himself particularly well it was thought he would defeat the older horses. However, this was not to be, for as soon as the barrier was released Cimabue’s rider was caught napping, with the result that he lost at least two lengths at the start, and was soon back last. Passing the three furlong post Cimabue chased the leaders, and with a wonderful burst of speed he was alongside Lady Cavendish entering the straight. The effort to get up with the leaders inside two furlongs left him wanting at the finish, and when the judge’s box was reached he was three lengths away from the winner, but right up in fourth place. Cimabue displayed great pace when he ran up to the leaders, hut it was bad judgment on the part of his jockey, and it is probable had he been reserved for a final dash a furlong from home he may have been nearer the winner at the finish. There is no getting away from the fact that Cimabue is a very brilliant youngster, just the kind of horse that would do well in an Oakleigh Plate field. Whether he will stav remains to be seen, but it is reasonable to expect him to run out a fast mile. He may even run out the Derby distance though not a stayer, as his wonderful brilliancy would carry him a long way. Much depends upon his progress during the winter, hut if he retains his form at three years—and there is no reason why he should not do so—he, too, may visit Sydney. In The Shade Improving. In The Shade has raced consistently, and though at present he lias accomplished nothing that would make him out a formidable opponent for either Agrion or Gascony—there is every possibility that lie will turn out a first-class performer later on. He ran a creditable third to Gascony in the Champagne Stakes, being less than half-a-length away from the winner, and was going great guns over the last half furlong. He certainly has pretensions to staying. Laughing Prince is another good youngster, who may he at home over a distance next season, hut he hardly appeals as an aspirant for weight-for-age honours. The Australian-bred youngster may develop into a good handicap performer with age, and his courage will be a factor towards successDamaris is endowed with plenty of speed, and she may stay, too. She is by Limond out of Pennon, and her d&m gave two first-class performers to the turf in Motley and Lysander. If the daughter of Limond trains on she will most likely be the best filly of her age. It would be unwise at this stage to calculate the chances of others engaged in the two New Zealand Derbies, but youngsters who stand out as two-year-olds are:—Agrion, Gascony, Cimabue, In The Shade, Laughing Prince, and Damaris. “BERAGOON”