G.N. DERBY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 147, 12 September 1927, Page 7

G.N. DERBY

Prospects Discussed AUCKLAND’S HOPE Southerners Favoured ALTHOUGH 38 candidates still remain in the Great Northern Derby which comes up for decision on October 15, it can be honestly stated that the issue will be between half-a-dozen, and that is giving a roomy margin. As far as Auckland representatives are concerned, it is difficult to give any of them a possible chance of winning the classic, and those who are being prepared at Alexandra Park at all events can be counted out.

has the appearance of a Derbyite, and the same perhaps can be said of McKendrick’s Blue Mountain King filly, but there it ends. Both are well bred and fine looking three-year-olds, with nice action, but while they show promise of developing into high-class pacers later on, they will not be anything like ready to do justice to the big occasion. AUCKLAND’S HOPE Auckland's hope then must be confined to the Peterwah—Ami Dillon filly Bonniewah. and the Author Dillon — Nell Po liter filly, Nella. Dillon. The former is In J. Paul’s stable at Mangere, and being prepared on that mentor’s private track, which is very often available lor work when the Epsom and Otahuhu tracks are unusable. In this direction Mr. F. J. Docherty’s candidate will have an advantage over others who are being educated in the district. The filly’s preparation was interrupted recently through the unfortunate tongue-splitting incident, but she made an excellent recovery, thanks to the careful attention of her trainer, and is again at work. Bonniewah will make the trip to Wellington and gain some experience at the racing business that will stand her in good stead next month. If the filly is forward enough to give the Southerners a good tussle, so much the better. Nella Dillon, on the other hand, is sojourning in the South, and is receiving her preparation at the hands of Roy Berry, which is sufficient guarantee that she will be in good trim when the eventful day arrives. Not much is heard of her doings, but the 'Auck-land-owned filly is bred on excellent classic lines, and that is saying something. ENAWAH PRESENT FAVOURITE The Gisborne filly, Enawah, winner of the Sapling Stakes at Ashburton in June, is at present favourite for the classic, and her two-year-old performances would justify the public in making such a choice. Mr. R. C. Fisken’s crack daughter of Peterwah was riot in the best of health when she contested the Sapling Stakes, yet she won like a champion, although hard-pressed at the finish. The effort, under the circumstances, was a. highly meritorious one, and gained the filly a further army of admirers. But the Gisborne

representative will not by any means have things all to herself, and when the machine is in operation on Derby day, there will be nearly as much money to say the Canterbury candidate, Harvest Child, will down Mr. Fisken’s filly. A TOUGH PROPOSITION The son of Sonoma Harvester — Gwenchi-ld, put up an attractive performance when he finished second to Enawah in the two-year-old classic, in which he made his first appearance under colours. He was a competitor at Addington last month, and gained further favour with the public for his high-class display in the handicap in which he finished just behind the placed horses. He is getting a thorough preparation for the classic and promises to go to the post dressed in his very best, and when the day rolls round the son of Sonoma Harvester will be a hard chap to head off. VESTAS STILL IN And what of Vestas? He appears to be viewed something in the nature of a spent light . But Mr. Barton’s representative must not be condemned altogether because of his Sapling failure. lie was suffering from the effects of a mishap when the Stakes was run, and could not do himself justice. Latest reports from the South state the son of Matchlight—lmperial Fan is coming to hand again, and if he returns to his earlier form, when he? ran third in a big field of experienced pacers in 3.33. he will add a whole heap of interest to the October race. OTHER POSSIBLES Daphne De Ora, who finished third in the Sapling Stakes, Milo Minto, Monopole and Sonoma, who ran unplaced in the same heat, are probable starters in the Great Northern, and will .have at least some sxperience of the business. It is reported, on pretty good authority, that the Hawera representative colt bv Nelson Bingen—Miss Spiers, brother to Nelson McElwyn, is a cut above the ordinary, and may prove a surprise packet on the day. It still looks, however, as if Enawah and Harvest Child will monopolise the market, with Vestas and perhaps Bonniewah or Nella Dillon next in order of choice.