SHEIK’S IMPRESSIVE MILE EFFORT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 148, 13 September 1927, Page 12

SHEIK’S IMPRESSIVE MILE EFFORT

1924 N.Z. CUP WINNER DEMONSTRATES HE HAS STRUCK FORM That Peter Riddle has Sheik back to form again was demonstrated recently at Victoria Park, Sydney, when the New Zealand Cup winner of 1924 won the flying mile in a manner that left nothing to be desired. As he prevailed over a two-mile journey the previous Week, his versatility is a big feature of his make-up. His successes across the Tasman will keep his New Zealand Cup admirers on good terms with themselves in the meantime. Commenting on the success of Sheik, an Australian writer says: P. Riddle continued in winning vein at Victoria Park, Sydney, off Monday, August 29, when, with Sheik, he scored in the Flying Mile. The previous week Riddle prevailed with Sheik and Happy Rosa. Sheik is proving versatile, as, while he scored over a mile at Victoria Park, he prevailed over two miles at Epping the previous week. A SHORT PRICE P. Riddle had to take a particularly short price with Sheik at Epping, the Bonnie Chie£ horse figuring at odds on throughout. At Victoria Park a better prics was offering. Of course, at the Park Sheik had a more formidable field to contend with, while he had to give away ssec. to the front markers. But this disability did not prevent the back-marker from winning, although many of his backers would have sold out cheaply as the field turned for home. At this point it looked as if the ex-New Zealander ha.d no chance of winning. GREAT EFFORT But, unfurling a great effort in the straight, he ran past his opposition to eventually wind up with a neck to spare from Lynette, while Maggie Pronto was a good third. Backers were wtell on the mark in this race, as they finished in the order in which they were backed, Sheik starting favourite. Lynette is a good mare, and it is a feather in the cap of Sheik that he was able to concede her 48 yards and administer a beating. In accounting for the mile in 2.101] Sheik was responsible for a rattling fine effort, as this time was only l|sec. outside the course record of 2.9. That Sheik will win again before long there is little doubt, and he will not have to often record 2.10$ to win.

What Xbout The Double? Count Dee was stepped out only on two occasions last season, at the Canterbury Park summer fixture for a miss and the same club’s winter meeting fer a win. The latter was over a mile and a half course and the son of Petereta won in hollow fashion from Tamerlane, Nourmahal, Cannonball and others. On the concluding day of the recent National carnival the Count was backed for pounds, shillings and pence, but his supporters had nothing to count up at the end of the race. lie is in twice at Wellington.