NEW ZEALAND DERBY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 197, 9 November 1927, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND DERBY

Second Three-Year-Old Test great northern field again Will Recent Form Be Verified? THE high three-year-old standard set by the candidates in the recent contest for the Great Northern Derby promises to be well maintained to-morrow when the New Zealand Derby comes up for decision at Addington.

IX has been frankly admitted on all sides that the field which contested the Great Northern Derby at Alexandra Park last month was the strongest numerically that has faced the starter since the inception of the event, while on the score of quality it was well up to the standard set in previous years. As many of these youngsters are engaged at Christchurch in the New Zealand Derby similar conditions will apply in tomorrow's classic. HISTORY OF THE EVENT The New Zealand Derby was instituted in 1914 by the New Brighton Trotting Club and conducted by that ambitious and progressive organisation till 1925, the race finding a place annually on the club’s autumn programme. In that year the New Zealand Metropolitan Club decided to take over the control of the’ test for th# three-year-olds, and it was finally decided to hold the contest each year during the big spring carnival. Consequently two Derby events were run in 1935, Kohara winning in the Autumn, while Native Chief, recognised at the present day as the greatest miler in the country, secured the honour in the Spring. Being held during Cup week, latterly the classic iiaa attracted considerable attention

and Is looked upon as one of the gems of the fine programme. THE GREATEST WINNER Some high-class three-year-olds have secured the coveted blue riband during the 14 years the contest has been staged, several of the winners turning out top-hole handicap performers later in their turf career. The greatest horse to win the classic was undoubtedly Author Dillon, who had his name inscribed on the scroll of Derby fame in 1916. Two years later Ben Jarden’s champion led a good field home in the New Zealand Cup and in 1920 he Secured the National Cup. In the years 1918-19-20 the wonderful son of Harold Dillon —Authoress won the Free-for-All. performing the hat trick, a feat that has not been repeated by any other contestant, although Acron, the Derby winner of 1923, won the Free-for-All two successive seasons, 1924-25. OTHER GOOD PERFORMERS In Acron’s first success lie established a mile race record of 2.3 3-5, and the following year registered 14 3-5. Great Hope, who Secured the blue riband in 1922, proved himself a great horse the next year by winning the New Zealand Cup, while many of her important events were also captured by the son of Great Audubon both in the Dominion and 'Western Australia. Albert Cling, Derby winner in 1918, was afterwards a solid handicap horse

NATIVE CHIEF, winner 1925 Derby. J®* in 1921 spread-eagled a solid lot in the Free-for-All. Taurekareka, who gained the classic certificate in 1924, also received a record time tag, tramping the 12 fur°nga in 3.22 4-5, a performance that _ not so been equalled, Native

Chief, 3.23 4-5, being the nearest to Taurekareka’s figures. J. BRYCE HAS MOST WINS J. Bryce with three wins, Great Hope, a aurekareka and Kohara, has been the most successful reinsman, A. Hendricksen (Prince Akwood and

Peter Mac) and J. Kennerley (Acron and Native Chief), each having two victories to their credit. In 1920 Doraldina, dam of Daphne do Oro, winner of this year’s G.N. Derby, and favourite for to-morrow’s contest, landed the coveted prize and it looks as if her daughter will succeed in also getting on the honours list. The field for to-morrow’s classic will be much the same as that which recently contested the similar event at Epsom, and the four place-getters in Auckland will in all probability again measure strides. THE BIG BRACKET AGAIN Although at time of writing the final acceptance is not available it seems safe to assume that Daphne de Ora, Donard and Harvest Child, the big bracket so much in evidence here last month, will be conspicuous on this occasion. Then there is the possibility of Don Derby, of whom great things are expected, being added to Holmes’s list, while the same mentor also has a Rey de’ Oro gelding from a Logan Pointer mare engaged, which is showing good promise. MONOPOLE WILL KEEP THEM BUSY Of the opposition the best known is Monopole, who ran a true race at

Alexandra Park for second money. The brother to Cardinal Logan was on the improve while in Auckland and when stripped at Addington should be a better horse. Donard may not prove equal to cutting him out of the stake, and the Logan Pointer—Lady Superior youngster should again finish in front of Harvest Child. Don Derby will no doubt give Monopole a heap of trouble, and if the Nelson Bingen colt has improved since last seen out he will have a royal chance of getting the coveted riband. But can he—or any of tHfem—defeat little Daphne de Oro? If she is allowed to be led away, well certainly not. The daughter of Doraldina has a great turn of speed and once under way the others have got to hurry. The filly, however, will not be able to lose much time at the get-away. She did not Have much tp spVre at the finish of the G.N. Derby and was decidedly lucky in getting through near the finish to win. With such a strong hand the Holmes's bracket will be backed to a very short price, but when the whalebone whistles over the final pinch Monopole may again succeed in separating Daphne de Oro from her associates when the judge is passed.

NORTH V SOUTH

DOUBLE AT OTAHUHU JELLICOE AND MASSEY HEATS CAN AUCKLAND PREVAIL? For some considerable time the chief events on the Auckland and Otahuhu programmes have been won by Southerners, but the outlook for the Otahuhu “double” remaining in the province is more Hopeful than usual. AFR. C. E. GOOSEMAN, the reCentlj appointed handicapper for tt Otahuhu Trotting Club, has issued h:

first budget of adjustments for the approaching fixture and it is generally admitted that he has performed the task in a sound, conscientious and attractive manner. Despite one or two complaints, the handicap is a flattering one and has given general satisfaction. Although there is not the usual big contingent of Southerners engaged next week, there will be enough to lend additional attraction to the fixture, but it is pleasing to state that on this‘occasion there is a good prospect of the double being won by Aucklandtrained horses. The two principal events, Jellicoe and Massey Handicaps, will furnish keen contests between North and South. THE THOUSAND POUNDER Omaha and Lady Dunmore being ineligible for the big event, left 11 for the handicapper to assess, and he commenced with Black Lila on a 4.32 mark, there being nothing on the limit.

Phipps's mare should be held safe by Jewel Pointer, Anselm, Money Spider and Dalnahine, who are on 4.31. In this field the first-named should have a great chance and his consistency may be rewarded. It is about up to an Auckland representative to win one of the thousand-pounders and J. Shaw’s horse is just the one likely to do it. If Anselm contimies to improve he, too, will have s'omething to say in the decision of this heat. Then there is that good trottej*, Money Spider, liable to do anything, but he may be a winner during the Addington carnival, and that would alter things. Dalnahine, who won well at Oamaru, defeating the solid Harold Thorpe, will be the favourite from the word go, and if he makes the trip there will not be many prepared to say he will not get a slice of the prize. Tom Thumb, 4.30, will command respect, and his second to Machine Gun on the opening day at Addington, together with his win on the concluding day over 10 furlongs, will not be overlooked. If he is among the starters he will be one of the favoured few. Cardinal Logan and Sea Pearl will have plenty of racing this week in Christchurch and may not feel like undertaking the journey. The former looks sure to be a winner before the present carnival concludes, in which case he will be rehandicapped. At present it points to Dalnahine, Jewel Pointer, Anselm, Tom Thumb, Money Spider and Cardinal Logan as half a dozen to be most in demand with early selectors. TEN-FURLONG FLUTTER The adjustor had a good field to bring together in the “other leg,” the Massey Handicap, and if the backmarker, Nelson Fame, is nearly right he will take a power of beating from 60 yards. Dillon Wilkes is nicely placed on 36yds, but in Jewel Pointer and Tom Thumb he has two tough nuts to crack. All Bell may create

another surprise and Anselm and Final McKinney are in a handy position. Nelson Tasker is one of the plums of the handicap, and it will take a pretty slippery customer to beat the Hender-son-trained liorse. Lord Nepean, who is also just behind the limit brigade, will command respect, and if he improves on his displays last month will be in the picture and a framed one at that. Dick Dillon, off the front, will be a hard horse to displace before the box is reached, and Woodvale has only to go away correctly to give them all a headache. To make an early selection of six With possibilities, Dick Dillon, Woodvale. Nelson Tasker. Final McKinney, Jewel Pointer and Nelson Fame can be mentioned.

TROTTING FIXTURES

November 8-10-11.—N.Z. Metropolitan November 19-23.—Otahuhu T.C. November 25-26.—Forbury Park T.C. December 3. Waikato T.C. December 10 —Northland T.C. December 15-17 —New Brighton T.C. December 26 —Ashburton T.C. December 26-27 —Westport T. C. December 26-27—South Wairarapa T. C. December 27-29-31—Auckland T. C. NOMINATIONS November 11 —Waikato T. C. November 11—Northland T. C. November 25—Auckland T. C.