NEW ZEALAND SAPLING STAKES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 67, 10 June 1927, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND SAPLING STAKES

TWO-YEAR-OLDS MEET ON SATURDAY TO DECIDE SUPREMACY SAPLING STAKES 15 miles. Enawah Monopole Milo Minto Daphne de Ora Vestas Harvest Child Direct Red Sonoma. Of the thirteen two-year-olds engaged in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, run at Ashburton to-morrow, it is known that no fewer than six are expected to gain the honours. That gives an indication of the quality of most of the youngsters engaged, for not even an optimist can shut his eyes to the ability demonstrated by Vestas ana Daphne de Oro. A YOUNG CHAMPION At Ashburton on April 2 Vestas filled third place among a field of performers of all ages, registering 3.33 for the mile and a half journey, which is the same distance as he will be required to compass in to-morrow’s classic. Since then Mr. G J. Barton's colt has done wonderfully well. He is a stoutly built youngster and stays on in determined style. No doubt he will be favourite and though he has a stiff task in front of him, he promises to be equal to the occasion. A TOUGH OPPONENT His toughest opponent should be Daphne de Oro, a smart filly who led home her field at the Ellesmere Trotting Club’s fixture. She can sprint, but whether she will see out every inch of a solid twelve furlongs is open to conjecture. Vestas bears a more seasoned appearance and on that account he should beat her. NORTHERNER NOT RIGHT But there are others engaged that claim attention, and one of these is Enawah, an aristocratic-looking filly who has tasted the fruits of victory. She won at Wanganui, and made a spledid impression. Unfortunately she contracted a cold last week and the affliction, it is feared, will leave her impaired for to-morrow’s race., SOME SMART YOUNGSTERS Milo Minto has also performed with the colours up. That was when nc filled second place in a sprint contest at the Ellesmere Trotting Cluds function. About Direct Red and a couple of unnamed pretentious candidates nothing is known, but in private Harvest Child, Sonoma and Monopoie have shown that they are capable 01 making their opponents step to beat them. Harvest Child and Sonoma axe a splendid pair of pacers, and had the enjoyed the privilege of a race they would have been well fitted for tn fight. THE FAVOURITES So after weighing the pros and cons of a select party of tw°-year "°} . VESTAS, DAPHNE DE ORO and ENAWAH appear to possess the dc» credentials. If the Gisborne filly made a decent recovery froin PIL affliction, she will dispute favour! with the Southern colt, Vestas. MADE GOOD LATER The Ashburton Club instituted tht contest for two-year-olds in the event has justified its inclusu) the light harness classics. of the babies’ test have proved success ful in succeeding years, while on the number, Ahuriri, has annexea New Zealand Cup two years in prtain cession, and is considered 111 1 ® quarters as having a royal chan accomplishing the “hat” trick. MORTEN-BRYCE COMBINATION Taurekareka, another winner ot * Sapling Stakes, proved a go< *; then ) year-old, winning: the Great Northen* Derby, New Zealand Derby and una pion Stakes, and has si *|ce h ; c h useful stake-earner. Konara, gave Mr. R. M. Morten his third cessive Sapling Stakes victory. *he Bryce his third successful drive *u two-year-old contest, has been * ” ' performer and is one of the e 8 ; for the 1927 New Zealand Cup, ing tramped two miles, for a 4.25 4-5. PAST WINNERS 1 1919—F. E. Jones’ Doraldino (o*ner • ’ 1920—HL F. Nicoll’s Childe Pointer Warren), 3.37 3-5. \\ rar--1921 H. F. Nicoll’s Latona (D----ren), 3.37. . Ahuriri 1922 R. M. Morten s Ahurir Bryce), 3.33. (J* 1923 R. M. Morten’s TaurekareK Bryce), 3.33 2-5. . r a (J----1924 R. M. Mortens Rohar Bryce), 3.32 1-5. m Yfar--1925 H. F. Nicoll’s Nantwich 1 926 n) w: ««**• <* Holmes, jnr.), 3.0 i.