NO OPPOSITION FOR LIMERICK

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 158, 24 September 1927, Page 6

NO OPPOSITION FOR LIMERICK

CHELMSFORD STAKES “MUD RACE” WAS BEST OF GOOD THINGS Quickly it became general knowledge at Randwick that Commendation is no good in the mud, comments a Sydney writer, dealing with, the Chelmsford Stakes. Already it was known that Limerick is superlative in wet going, and with his only dangerous rival thus eliminated, he looked the certainty he was, and big punters poured their wagers on him in hundreds and fifties. Men who wait for weeks for such pre-ordained winners opened their purses and wagered without fear. And there was no opposition to threaten danger in the race. The remarkable thing was that: the books stood up to the onslaught as they did. FOOLISH ODDS Opening the betting at even money they could hardly wait for the multitude to return to the ring from seeing the Tramway Handicap before they extended the odds against till they were nearly at twos. Many punters had expected odds on. In the circumstances, the liberality of the books was unaccountable.. They laid huge columns and, only after tens of thousands had been laid against Limerick, did they shorten the odds but slightly. This price did not long prevail, however. Out for a huge flutter, the again offered liberal odds against Limerick. It was strange that they should have chosen such a champion to make their set against. But the books ever love a tilt of this description. Good odds, comparatively, were always available about Poitrel, Eurythmic and Windbag, who were for so long invincible. The books hoped for the day of defeat and competed for punters’ custom with so much rivalry that these horses could always be backed at favourable prices. And so it is with Limerick. The ring will be looking for the day of Limerick’s defeat this spiring and laying their full books against a horse who seems unbeatable. Few could have fancied Commendation. He eased in the be rang from twos, and the rain - damped all the hopes of his connections of turning the tables on Limerick. OWNER’S MONKEY Nor were Son o' Mine and Merry Mint backed to any extent. The owner put a hundred on Son o’ Mine, not with hopes of success, ’but in case he should prove better than anticipated \vith his 201 b allowance. The rest of the field, comprising Rosso, Genuine, and Statesman, were unmarketable even at long odds. The betting proved a true indication of the kick of opposition when the race began. There wasn’t even a sound pacemaker, and Genuine, still in the Novice class, observed an even-time pace for a furlong and a half in front of the field. He was hurried a little in the succeeding furlongs. Limerick was in his wake, with Merry Mint beUlnd, both cantering, but the others seemed to be - struggling and floundering in each other’s way.

When Geiyiine tired, there was no other to take his place, so McOarten adopted the unusual course of letting Limerick run to the front more than three furlongs from home. Thus the opposition had every chance of a last run on Limerick,. But, there

was no opposition. Not a whip was drawn. Not a flutter was raised for any of his rivals. Commendation was down and out—out wide oif the course, seeking, no doubt, a patch of firm going. All effort was futile. SHUT THE GATE Some oi the crowd shouted, “Shut the gate.” The majority cheered Limerick, while he was still a furlong from home. McCarten knew there was no opposition worth troubling about. He eased up Limerick,to a canter *SO yards from the post. And still he" won by two and a half lengths. It wa.s the easiest victory seen in a. big race for a long time. Commendation was a disappointment in failing to gain a place. Even his connections, realising his inability to do his best on a soft track, did not expect such a complete collapse. Owners of the other beaten horses didn’t worry so much, perhaps, but Mr. Sol Green was far from satisfied with Son o’ Mine, the Melbourne Clip favourite. “Limerick,” he said, “gave him 271 b the best of weight-for-age, and another 271 b beating. So he beat my horse by 541 b.” LOGIC, BUT NOT HORSE SENSE Thus the problem of the Melbourne Cup, worked out on Mr. Green’s figures, means that if Son o’ Mine can win it with his Bst, Limerick ought to succeed with list 121 b. But it's no use trying to prove a Melbourne Cup problem by absurdity’. Euclid doesn’t apply to racing. Son o’ Mine might have been as much at sea on the heavy track as some of his rivals, so there may be hope for him yet. At least, he should win some minor event before the Melbourne Cup. Later form will prove a better guide to the big race, and, it can be said, in his favour, that he battled the issue gamely at the end, and was, in fact, the only finisher. Stamina appears to be his marked qualification. THE ELLIOT WOODWORKER LIGHT AND HEAVY MODELS In the SHOP— A first-class tool. On the JOB —Invaluable. Install one and send a steady flow of cut stuff through the machine to the job. There’s money in it. MacNEILL Maxwell’s Buildings, 12 Hobson Street, Auckland.

Surely Not Again? A report from Melbourne that The Hawk has been backed for the Caulfield Cup will not appeal to those who remember his attempt to win the race three years ago. Backed down to favouritism as the result of a huge commission worked on the course on the day of the race, he

couldn’t finish in the first 12, though he' was then in his best form, had just won the Caulfield Stakes and other weight-for-age events, and had only 9.0. He is not nearly so good now at nine years, and any suggestion that a Cup commission was an authentic stable move doesn’t give his ownertrainer, Jack Camqron, credit for profiting from the experience of past failures. MEETINGS TO COME September 24-26.—Avondale J.C. (at EllersUe) September 24-26. —Napier Park R.C. September 24. —Ashburton R.CSeptember 29-30.—Geraldine R.C. October I.—Hawke's Bay J.C. October s.— Manawatu Hunt Club October 6.—Kurow J.C. October 7-B.—Otaki-Maori R.C. October 8-10-—Oaraaru J.C. October 8-10.— Auckland R.C. October 13-15.—Dunedin J.C. October 15.—Carterton R.C. October 19-20 —Cromwell J.C. October 22-24.—Wellington R.C. October 21, 22.—Waikato R.C. October 24.—Waikato Hunt. October 24.—Waverley R.C-