BRILLIANT SPRINTERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 236, 24 December 1927, Page 7

BRILLIANT SPRINTERS

FIGURE IN THE RAILWAY THREE-YEAR-OLDS IN THE PICTURE T H K E iUwa,v A i?n?H LI>S *" ve, 7 stro ”*>J- represent.il in the * Kailway Handicap on Boxing Day, and takino- intr. m-n ;'.c e /hy^»£ns‘sr.;" c “T ! ln r “ ,nt y “” performance to Jwk 13 . S ° lng to take a " outstanding the S contest ** Wlnmng Career of the *

T HEV are truly a brilliant lot of sprinters. It is not a big field, thanks to the sweepstakes clause inserted in the conditions, whereby it , osts £lO, plus entry and acceptance fees, to have a run. Does this not s® to Prove that the making of a sweepstake tends to keep out the horses that have no possible show’

Owners would not be disposed these days to pay out £lO for the satisfaction of seeing their horses run in a race like the Railway Handicap. * A I . ot of six furlong* horses it would be impossible to get together. SPEEDY AUSSIE It is more than likely that the favourite will be found in Aussie, that great galloper from Te Awamutu He failed under 9.13 last Saturday on his home course, but as he was in trouble a furlong and a half from home that form can be overlooked. At Ellersile in the spring he won from a good field with 9.2 up, and now he is asked to carry 8.13 in a much better class. His showings on the track this week have been in keeping with his previous brilliant efforts in public and private, and taken in conjunction with a phenomenal trail at Te Awamutu last week he certainly looks the hardest horse to beat, and a real nut for the three-year-olds to crack. LYSANDER’S PROSPECTS A rare good gallop at Wanganui last Thursday week placed Lysander in the market once more, and if he repeats that effort on the day he will take some handling. That spin was from a flying start, and as he is hardly so brilliant out of the tapes as he once was that may make all the difference. Apart from this he is in well, and he is almost back to his best juvenile form. Not much is heard of Joy King, who apparently has not come into the market sufficiently to warrant the thought that he is the likely winner.

despite the fact that he has only to be at his best to have a royal show. Second last year, Limited’s trials have stamped him as in first class order, and therefore worthy of respect, if for no other reason than that he is under the eye of Fred Tilley. His five furlongs on Tuesday was some hurryup. PAGANELLI WILL GO Quite recently there was some discussion in the Press about the handicapping of a certain trotter who was thought to be harshly treated in the eyes of .some few. The trotter won his race. Paganelli has had supporters in a similar direction, and it has been rumoured that he will not start. That may be so, but there is a four figure attached to the prize, and it could hardly be ignored. On his recent showings the writer holds the view that Paganelli is one the best sprinters in the country, and for the three-year-old to be in at a pound under weight-for-age show's what a chance he has if lie is as good as thought. Quite recently he was credited with going so fast at Te Rapa to break a minute for five. That too may be so; one need not be surprised, for he is good enough to do it on a fast track. NAUGHTY NANCY Many harsh things have been said and written about Nancy Lee’s form, or lack of it, at Te Awamutu last week, and they were justified, for it was probably the worst race she has ever run. With 8.2 she is a possibility, although she will have to produce more than her previous best if she is to beat the cracks. With a wet track she would receive more support. Royal Damon is a good sprinter, but be will be up against something extra

s Pecial in this race, and lie may be a bit out of his class. He won very ea »ily at Woodville, however, and he tb&y possibly be even better than thought. CIMABUE’S bright prospects If there is a regular speed merchant the Railway outside the topweight, Js Cimabue, for the manner in hich he used to hit the front in of his two-year-old races last

was remarkable. He can still go as ast and therfore he has every prospect of being the winner on Monday—in conjunction with a couple of others. He impressed with his galheadquarters this week. Of Money Order we have the evidence or Southerners and critics that he is a rare good sprinter, and what is more he is in great form for Monday’s trial of speed. On looks alone he is a likely looking sort, and he should play his part well. Paperchase has some smart performances to her credit, and so too has Jown Guard, the latter being the sole Lliersile representative engaged. GASCONY’S FORM The trainer of Gascony is said to be optimistic of the three-year-old’s chances, and on last season’s running he would be too good for Paganelli at least, and probably also the other three-year-olds in the race. The optimism is . reported to be based on the good trial at AVoodville a fortnight

ago. At present however he may not be superior at all. Silvermine is another smart three-year-old, and he is a promising sort, and a credit to his dam, who herself was a Railway winner. On his spin with Cimabue last Tuesday he should be held safe by the latter. Ivingfield has shown no signs of form since last autumn, and if he was to be landed at the post fit and well he would possess an undeniable chance with a few pounds above the minumum. AT THE BOTTOM

Among the quartette on the minimum— the sole survivors of the 34 weighted on that mark —is Awarere, who was second over seven furlongs last Saturday. He is the second string of the Aussie stable, and he will b.e bracketed with his stablemate, Sir Archie will enjoy being in a race with such a light impost, and if he hops out smartly there are more unlikely things that could happen than that he would pay a dividend. High Finance will go with the leaders for a part of the journey, but so far she has given little indication that she will see out a hotly run six furlongs in the very best of company. Flying Juliet failed twice last Saturday, and going strictly on form she could not be given a show at all. WHAT WILL WIN? That will be the question many will ask on Monday, have in fact been asking, for a long time, but only the race itself will provide the answer to this knotty problem. Three-year-olds have a great record in recent races for the Railway Handicap, and this year they are worthily represented by Paganelli, Cimabue, Gascony, Silvermine and High Finance, and it would not be at all surprising if one of these was to salute the judge first. But it would only be in accordance with the records of the race over the last few seasons at least. The older division is also strongly represented, and the younger horses will not have everything their own way by any means. The final summing-up of the situation will be found in the write-up for the Railway Handicap on another page.