Agrion and the G. N. Derby

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 212, 26 November 1927, Page 6

Agrion and the G. N. Derby

THREE-YEAR-OLDS REVIEWED WHEN the New Zealand Derby was won by the Limond colt Agrion, the question of three-year-old supremacy of the Dominion was well on to a decision. The Great Northern Derby on January 2 will no doubt definitely settle the issue.

(Special to THU SUX.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Tlio success of Agrion in the New Zealand Derby was not altogether a surprise, but the failure of the favourite, Laughing Prince, to do better than run third, was a costly blow to admirers of the Australian bred colt. Pie had beaten a good field of weight - for-age performers in the New Zealand Eclipse Stakes at Wanganui, while his Avondale Guineas win and his subsequent second to the doughty Limerick in the Champion Plate at Trentliam, when he beat, among others, Te Monanui, Star Stranger and Rapier, suggested that ho was right up to weight-for-age. f WILL IMPROVE He '♦galloped particularly well prior to the commencement of the C.J.C. meeting, but his victory in the Riccarton Handicap on the opening day was not shell a good Derby trial as generally considered. In the nine furlongs event he just scrambled home, and though it must be remembered he is a very lazy colt, his winning margin was not one that indicated he could have donfe better. He had a particularly good run in the Derby, though ho lost a little ground at the home turn and appeared to be soundly beaten over the last furlong. However, lie did not bear his usual bright appearance when paraded in the birdcage, which was freely remarked by those who had seen him race in the North, and though well placed all the way in the blue riband event, he seemed to put little dash into his work over the last three furlongs. On actual form Laughing Prince should have finished ahead of Satrap, who defeated the Quantock colt for second place, and, as Satrap would be hardly capable of downing a good field at weight-for-age, it seems reasonable to suppose that Laughing Prince will improve during the next few weeks and will be a more difficult horse to beat at Ellerslie. A GOOD PERFORMANCE Agrion’s victory in the Derby was a remarkable performance, for besides making his initial appearance as a three-year-old, the Limond colt had suffered through soreness, which also prevented him from taking his place in the A.J.C. Derby. How Agrion won the New Zealand Derby is now history, but in the hands of another trainer it is improbable he would have been among the placed horses. There is no doubt R. J. Mason is a wonder with a. horse and Agrion’s success can be only attributed to the fact that he was in the hands of the wizard of the Turf.

To lead all the way and defeat seasoned horses was a line performance, but the fact that he had had little galloping again proves what a really astute trainer Mason is.

After the Derby Agrion walked away showing signs of unsoundness, but he has been frequently seen displaying soreness, which apparently has little effect upon him. The outing he had at Riccarton would certainly improve his condition and if he trains on in the right manner he will again take a lot of beating in the Great Northern Derby at Ellerslie. SATRAP SURPRISES

One of the surprises in the New Zealand Derby was the forward running of Satrap, who proved that he is a little better than generally supposed. Early in the season doubts existed as to whether the progeny of Paladin would ever be stayers, but Satrap's effort over a. mile and a-half proves beyond doubt that he is going to develop good handicap form with age. Satrap will contest the Great Northern Derby, all going well, and though his Riccarton form entitles him to be taken seriously into consideration, it is improbable he will finish ahead of Agrion, while he may also experience any amount of difficulty defeating Marta rma.

A DISAPPOINTMENT Martarma’s effort in the New Zealand Derby was rather disappointing and his effort in the Stead Gold Cup on

the concluding day of the C.J.C. meeting indicated that he should have been nearer the leaders in the early part of the Blue Riband event, instead of being at the tail end of the field. The Martian colt was actually six lengths behind the last horse entering the straight, but over the concluding furlong he finished with a phenomenal burst of speed into fourth place, about three lengths behind Agrion. It was a great run and those who noticed the surprising speed shown by the son of Martian quite expected him to make a bold showing in the Stead Cup. This he did, and his excellent fourth, after making the pace all the way, was a very encouraging effort indeed. Martarma will strip a far better horse at Ellerslie and he is likely to take a hand in the finish of the approaching classic race. NOT A STAYER Great Charter ran fairly well for nine furlongs in the Derby, but he was beaten a long way from home and finished well back However, on the third day of the meeting he made amends by capturing the Jockey Club Handicap, beating Grand knight which endorsed the opinion of northerners, who claimed that he was a good three-year-old up to a mile. Great Charter is not up to Derby form, but he is almost sure to do really well up to a mile, or even farther, with age, but at present a mile is plenty far enough for him.

Ark Royal and Paleta were two disappointments at Riccarton, though Ark Royal had every chance, but was not good enough. Paleta did not appear to do at all well in Christchurch.

but even at his best he would have had little chance with Agrion in the Derby. Gascony is another who has failed to live up to early expectations, while Talisker has, so far this season, shown no form at all. Evidentlv he is of little account. Prior to the Dunedin meeting Don Jose galloped so well at headquarters that he led a good many to believe he would win a race at Win-

gatui. and even take a deal of beating m the Guineas. However, he failed miserably at the southern fixture, but his form at the recent Riccarton meeting proved that he was in need of racing His victory in the Stonyburst Handicap on the concluding day r jC - mating ms well antiefpated, but it cannot be sairl that he nas any pretensions to classic form. Though Agrion won the New Zealand Derby m grand style, he will not have matters all his own way at Ellerslie. REMINDERS Entries for the Waipa Clubs annual meeting at Te Awamutu on December 1 1 close at 5 p.m., on December 2. Nominations for the Manawatu Racing Clubs meeting and first forfeits for the Palmerston North Stakes, will close on Friday, December 2 at 9 p.m.

Nominations for all events at the Niarton Jockey Club’s meeting will be accepted up to 9 p.m., on Friday. December 9.

General entries for the Auckland summer meeting close at 5 p.m.. on Friday, December 2. At the same time first forfeits are due for the U.N. Foal Stakes, G.N. Derby and Royal Stakes.