Childsplay is a Swallow-Catcher

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 186, 27 October 1927, Page 6

Childsplay is a Swallow-Catcher

BEST YET SEEN OUT PRINCE HUMPHREY’S GAMENESS There is no gainsaying the fact that at present the South Islanch has the best two-year-old. After the A.R.C. Welcome Stakes we thought that Prince Humphrey would turn out to be the crackerjack, for he won the Eilerslie classic quite comfortably. But at Trentham on Saturday the Aus-tralian-bred colt had to strike his colours to the flying filly, Childsplay. There was no element of luck in \ Childsplay’s performance in winning i the Wellesley Stakes. Her trainer was very confident that the filly would repeat her McLean Stakes form, and she never left the issue in doubt. The Chokebore representative did not get away first from the barrier. It was Endorse, on the rails, that hopped out best, but Childsplay was not far behind, whereas Prince Humphrey was a bit slow to find his feet, WENT FAST-THEN STOPPED Tho Paper Money filly showed a nice turn of speed over the first couple of furlongs, and she went on for one more, but then she was out of the race as a deciding factor. The pace set by Endorse did not tiuigle Childsplay, who was striding along very freely * just behind the leader, but Prince Humphrey was being pushed along to prevent him getting too far out of the running. At the false rail Childsplay had passed Endorse, while Prince Humphrey was still well back, alongside High Disdain. A furlong from home Childsplay was five lengths ahead of the Aucklander, who had not yet quite caught Endorse. All this time he was under punishment, and riding vigorously Green got every ounce out of his mount. He finished on grandly and gamely, and as they passed the post Childsplay was a bare length in front, with Tea Miss four lengths off, just in front of Endorse. WELL JUSTIFIED So all the good things said of Sir George Clifford’s filly were proven and Northerners satisfied that the best two-year-old seen out to date is domiciled at Riccarton, and not at Auckland, as they were convinced when Prinme Humphrey won the A.R.C. Welcome Stakes. And there is no reason why the Auturnnus filly should not turn out to be the best of her year, for in present hands it is unlikely that she will be overdone. As the famous tea clippers of old East India Company days were built for speed, so, too, is Childsplay. On appearances she is more like a greyhound than a racehorse, but for all that she at once takes the eye. Indeed, it is a long time since such a neat and racy looking youngster has graced the turf in this country. She won the Wellesley Stakes on her merit. RODE CONFIDENTLY Emerson appeared to be taking it easy half-way up the straight, and he was not uneasy when Prince Humphrey threatened danger over the last hundred yards. He reminded the filly

of what was wanted of her, and she gave just that much as was necessary to leave her a comfortable winner. She was not ridden out, and she won with something in hand. Tea Miss was the surprise of the race, for she came with a fine run at the end, and over the last couple of furlongs was going every bit as fast as Prince Humphrey, and this fact should be borne in mind when the Tea Tray filly is next seen out qn a course such as Trentham. Endorse, who was said to have had every chance in the A .J.C. Gi me rack Stakes at Randwick, when she finished third, had her opportunity on Saturday, but she faded badly over the last furlong. On a round course she would take a lot of catching. ONE TO REMEMBER High Disdain (Claro —Contempt) like Prince Humphrey, bred in Australia, showed a nice burst of speed in his first public outing, and in this coit the , Wairarapa sportsman, Mr. A. McLonold, appears to ha 9 got hold of a smart youngster, and on his next outing or two he should show winning form. Raasay was a disappointment, never being in the limelight and finishing a moderate sixth. Perhaps like most of the others he was tangled by the pace set by Endorse, and he failed to do any better on Monday. Knightlike was prominent in the early stages, but he, too, failed to improve his position in the run up the straight. Banket and Moutoa Treasury ran fair races, and even if they are not up to the best two-year-old standard at present they will win in fair company before the season closes. Chit was disappointing, and First Ruler (who was troublesome at the barrier) and Shona were out of their class on their present form. The first five youngsters to pass the post—Childsplay, Prince Humphrey, Tea Miss, Endorse and High much superior to the remainder, although one or two of those that finished further back did not seem too anxious to chase the flying fillies that were in the van.