G.N. Derby Promises Stirring Contest

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 175, 14 October 1927, Page 6

G.N. Derby Promises Stirring Contest

SOUTHERNERS IN FORM

FE GREAT NORTHERN DERBY, a popular classic for three-year-olds, will be decided at the Auckland Club s Spring’ fixture, which opens to-morrow at Alexandra Parlr Although its early staging precludes any Auckland provincial candidates having winning prospects, there sire at least half-a-dozen Canterbury-owned or trained aspirants engaged, who are capable of providing a thrilling- and spectacular contest.

The contest for the Great Northern Derby, one of the few classics in New Zealand trotting circles, was instituted in 1916, being won by Mr. W- B. Masham’s Chid, who, driven by J. (Scotty) Bryce, ran the mile and ahalf in 3.36 2-5. At that period “Scotty” was the King-pin trainer and reinsman in the Dominion and, in fact, held the trainers’ premiership for the six following seasons. Among other big events won by the Scotsman in the year 1916 can be mentioned New Zealand Cup (Cathedral Chimes), Free For All (Admiral Wood), and Dominion Trotting Handicap (Whispering Willie). From, that time practically all the principal classics and handicaps in New Zealand

have been captured, at some time or another by Bryce, but it was not till 1923 that he secured his second G.N. Derby victory. This was achieved with the aid of Taurekareka, who established a record for the race, 3.29, which has not yet been lowered. SOME GOOD WINNERS A glance through the past winners of this important classic shows that

some of the successful candidates have gone on to greater things. Nelson Derby, who won in 1920, won. the Auckland Cup of 1926, Great Hope, the 1921 victor, captured the New Zealand Cup of 1923, and Acron, winner in 1922, won the Free-for-All two years in succession, registering great times, 2.3 3-5 in 1924, establishing a New Zealand record, and 2.4 3-5 in 1925. Taurekareka and Glenelg, other G.N. Derby winners, proved good handicap horses, and the former also won the New Zealand Derby. The only Auckland provincial-owned and trained candidate to secure the honour was Great Peter, who led the field home last year. Great Peter is a member of that wonderful union, which produced the champions and budding champions, Nelson Bingen and Bertha Bell, and is owned by Mr. J. W. Timms. He was trained and driven by the Mangere sportsman, J. T. Paul, who has a representative in the field this year, Mr. F. J. Docherty’s Bonniewah. CONTEST STAGED EARLIER This year’s contest is being staged earlier than usual, and in consequence has created a great deal of comment. Owing to the unfavourable weather and unsuitable tracks, Aucklandtrained candidates have not been able to receive a thorough preparation and will be at a disadvantage when pitted against the visiting brigade, the majority of which has had racing: experience already this season. A number have gone further and won beats, and this has brought them into prominence for Saturday’s go. CANDIDATES IN FORM Don Derby won at Kurow last week, and raced on Saturday at Oamaru, where his display greatly pleased good judges. Donard was returned a winner at Ashburton and his performance was full of merit and stamped him as a genuine youngster. Vestas, who was not right when contesting the Sapling Stakes last .rune, made amends at Wellington, where he led home a field of older and more experienced pacers in a two-mile contest. He did his work well and in a convincing style. Later, however, he failed to begin correctly at Ashburton and that was the end of him. His chances are regarded with favour in many quarters and providing he hits the straps at the signal he must be a hard colt to beat. Daphne de Oro also got a stake at Wellington. and her meritorious achievement in coming from the back of a big field and winning in 3.28 found her many staunch friends for the classic. She is not a brilliant beginner, but when she gathers up her speed she is a little beauty, and finishes with the tenacity of a bulldog.

Small of stature, but stout of leart. Daphne will take a lot of heading oft in the rush to the box. Her dam. Doraldina, was a classic -winner at. two and three years of age, the Sapling Stakes, 1919, and Champion Stakes, 1920, falling to her lot. Harvest Child is a gelding that has been in the boom for some time as a Derby candidate. His first appearance under silk was at Ashburton, when he ran a good second to Enawah in the Sapling Stakes. In August at the National fixture he attracted special attention when he finished on the heels of the placed horses, Logan

Park, Genuine and Amaris, in the Selwyn Handicap. Recently at Ashburton he was backed as unbeatable, but after having everything in his favour he faded at the business end. Nevertheless, he will prove a tough proposition for the opposition in the Great Northern. Monopole is another Canterburyite that is improving and will lend interest to the contest. Nella Dillon, owned in. Auckland, but trained in the South, is a handsome filly, and may make a good showing. On breeding she has everything to recommend her. NORTHERN HOPES DASHED Strong as the Southern hand was, there was a big leaning towards the Gisborne filly Enawah, whose two-year-old form pointed to her being a tip-toppei* this season. North Island enthusiasts were prepared to pin their faith on her ability to keep the blue riband on this side of Cook Strait, but the scratching pen has erased her name from the list and with its disappearance, all hope of the honour again falling to a Northerner is shattered, although some there be who believe that the Hawera filly. Queen Elizabeth, by Man o’ War—Queen Chimes, will keep the Southerners busy. AUCKLAND'S QUOTA The Auckland contingent carded comprises Warplane, Free Advice, Medusa, Peter Pirate, Realty, Queen o’ War, Actor Ballin, Man-at-Arms and Bonniewah, but one cannot be optimistic enough to imagine any of the number getting even the. small end of the purse. In fact, with the exception of Free Advice and Bonniewah, it is doubtful if the others will face the starter on Saturday. Both these fillies are showing promise and had the race been run in December would have had good prospects. SOUTH HOLDS POWER Although the withdrawal of Enawah will rob the race of a certain amount of interest, there is sufficient material engaged to provide a real stirring contest, which will no doubt be fought out among four or five Southerners. The bracket. Daphne de Oro, Donard and Harvest Child, will encourage speculators to be with Holmes, but Vestas is bound to come in for solid support. Monopole is making rapid improvement and must not be overlooked. However, the public will support the bracket, in the hope of two

of the trio filling the places and the order of favouritism will be HOLMES’S BRACKET, VESTAS, MONOPOLE.

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GREAT NORTHERN TROTTING DERBY Of £1,000; 11 miles. Donard Bonniewah Man at Arms Realty b f by Homeleigh Harvest Child Dick—Amaroa br g, by Soroma Warplane Harvester Gold Free Advice Coin Queen Elizabeth Nella Dillon Medusa Monopole a Peter Pirate Vestas Actor Ballin Warspite Queen of Weir Don Derby Enawah Daphne De Oro

PAST WINNERS 1917—President Wilson, A. Hendricksen 3.34 3-5 1918 —Locanda Dillon, A. Pringle 3.31 3-5 1919—-Bady Swithin, F. Hclmes, junr 3.35 3-5 1920—Nelson Derby, J. G. Robertson 3.32 1-5 1921—Great Hope, R. A. McMillan 3.31 1922—Acron, J. J. Kennerley .. 3.29 1-5 1923—Taurekareka, J. Bryce .. 3.29 1924—Glenelg, A. Butterfield .. 3.33 2-5 1925—Nantwich, A. Hendrioksen 3.29 2-5 1926—Great Peter, J. T. Paul .. 3.30