CAN CONCLIFFE QUALIFY?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 73, 17 June 1927, Page 6

CAN CONCLIFFE QUALIFY?

FINE PACER’S CHANCES HANDICAPPER’S ESTIMATE Concliffe, the imported son of Childewood from Barmaid, is undoubtedly a great pacer, and good judges throughout the Dominion who have seen the Aussie representative in action aver that he is in the first flight of New Zealand’s speed merchants. While there is admittedly exceifent grounds for such enconiums bemg passed on the Childewood horse, the fact remains that since engaging upon his racing career in this fair land the visitor has not, up to the present, qualified for the big trotting event of the year—New Zealand Cup—neither by accomplishing the required time standard nor by virtue of the handicapper’s opinion. FIRST NEW ZEALAND APPEARANCE Tomkinson first extended his imported Australian charge in the Otahuhu Cup, where handicapper Reid placed him on the limit—4.32—but the best he could do was to run fourth behind Sea Pearl, Locanda Mac and Cardinal Logan, all fine pacers, and

although defeated Concliffe was in no way disgraced. The journey took Tomkinson’s pacer 4.331-5 to accomplish. MISSED BADLY On the concluding day of the meeting, gtill on the 4.32 peg, Concliffe was again solidly supported by the public who were greatly impressed with the fine showing of the Aussie, but he failed to gain a situation, the places being filled by Cardinal Logan, Sea Pearl, Locanda Mac and Talent. That the race was run at a solid clip was shown by the fact that the first three horses got under their handicap time, while Talent occupied the exact time allowed—4.32. COMING TO LIGHT Ten days later the Waikato Club’s fixture came up for decision at Alexandra Park, and Concliffe, who had been showing splendid form during the interval was again the elect of the public for the Waikato Cup and on this occasion he fully justified the confidence reposed in him by winning nicely from another Australian-bred pacer, Auto Machine, and Auckland’s speed merchant, Jewel Pointer; 4.30 3-5 was the time registered by the son of Childewood, who in his next essay orr the concluding day, gave a further taste of his qualities by winning a tenfurlong flutter from a useful field. Concliffe was handicapped to go 2.46, but secured the stake without being asked to go beter than 2.48. A CLASSY PACER In his races at Auckland Concliffe demonstrated that he is a classy pacer, and he was even at that early period ticked off by many good judges as a possibility for the 1927 New Zealand Cup. After his. Waikato meeting successes the Australian was sent into retirement, from which he has reappeared, greatly benefitted, and according to reliable reports from the South, ready to tackle all and sundry. JUST OUTSIDE CUP LIMIT Mr. Barton nominated his speedy horse for the Prince of Wales Handicap at Dunedin, where Mr. Brinkman placed him on a 4.29 mark. He did not appear amongst the acceptors, but his non-appearance could not have been due to any dissatisfaction with the handicap. It may be, however, that owner Barton and trainer Tomkinson were disappointed at Concliffe not being put on a 4.28 mark, in order to qualify for the rich November race. Whatever the reason was may not be known to the public, but the fact remains the flying chestnut remained at home. HANDICAPPER’S AGREE Tomkinson next entered his charge for the King George Handicap at Canterbury Park on the King’s Birthday, and here handicapper Thomas expressed a similar opinion to his colleague, Mr. H. Brinkman, by placing the Australian pacer on a 4.29 mark. It is quite evident from the adjustments made for Concliffe that he will require to qualify for the Dominion’s chief trotting event on his merits and there is not much chance of him getting in on the handicapper’s estimate of his ability. DECLINED AGAIN But when the acceptances for the recent Canterbury Park meeting were posted, it was found that Mr. Barton had again declined to accept the invitation to step the son of Childewood —Barmaid out. This was a surprise to followers of the game, particularly in Christchurch, where the Australian pacer was reported to be putting in splendid work. Tomkinson rriay have found that the horse was not suffic-

iently forward to tackle the proposition set him, and wisely decided to “bide a wee.” LAST OPPORTUNITY Concliffe will have an opportunity in August of making an attempt to get among the recognised heads of the game for November. There is this much to be said about it, that in making an effort to become eligible for the New Zealand Cup, Concliffe may register such improved time that will find him on a hard mark, and he will suffer in comparison with some of those who have become eligible through the value placed on their ability by handicappers. The Australian gentleman must fight his way into the big handicap or remain outside the leading circle.