FUJI OF SPIRITS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 362, 24 May 1928, Page 6

FUJI OF SPIRITS

MISHAP TO CHERRY RIPE HAD BIG PROGRAMME First of the better credentialled candidates for the A.J.C. Hurdle Race to fall by the wayside is Cherry Ripe, owned by Dr. C. Murphy, of Auckland. Though whether it will affect him is problematical, an injury sustained last week at Randwick may greatly interfere with Cherry Ripe’s preparation. Exuberance of spirits was the direct cause of the mishap. Cherry Ripe was exercising in the afternoon when, without warning, he jumped backwards and in doing so ricked a hind leg. The trouble did not manifest itself until the gelding had cooled down, and then the affected member swelled considerably. It was immediately under treatment, being poulticed at frequent intervals, and showed beneficial signs, but it is naturally too early to ascertain whether the injury will cause a setback sufficient to settle his Hurdle chance. Time Flying The A.J.C. Hurdle Race is still a month off, giving the horse plenty of time in which to recover from any ill effects that may develop from the injury, but it is against Cherry Ripe at present that every week will tell in the making or marring of his chance of success. For Cherry Ripe has not raced over jumps for nearly two years, and naturally would need all the schooling that could be given him. Any setback, however slight, might have serious consequences. If Cherry Ripe does effectively throw off the trouble, he will provide a curious study for ardent racegoers who reckon a horse must have plenty of schooling before success in a hurdle can be obtained. No Public Effort His trainer, F. McGrath, might have no intention of running him at Randwick, being content to keep him for Flemington, but if such is not the case he is employing peculiar tactics in the preparation of his horse. Cherry Ripe was not entered in the hurdles at Tatt’s meeting, but had an engagement in a flat race, and as Tattersall’s would be practically the last opportunity of giving the horse a publie outing over jumps he may, if started, take his place against a crack field with only a limited amount of private schooling as a jumping foundaIt will be hard luck for McGrath if Cherry Ripe is unable to pull through in time, but he has ample compensation in Really and the promising Ego. TORQUIL’S FAILURE A SURPRISE START “WORST EVER SEEN” "The worst I’ve ever seen,” was how one experienced racegoer described the start of the first division of the Ascot (Sydney) Novice Handicap recently, and it is hard to remember an occasion when so many horses have been so effectively put out of the race at the barrier. Not more than half a dozen horses were left with possible chances of success after the first leap, and two of the three who were thrown clear fought out the finish by themselves. But there was perhaps an excuse for the poor start. The task of Mr. Tom Watson is far from an enviable one, and this race was perhaps sufficient to tax the patience of any starter. The field was a maximum for Ascot, 18, and even if that were insufficient, many of the runners were disinclined to face the barrier, and repeatedly backed from the line. Surprised Them The ultimate raising of the barrier took the majority of the riders by complete surprise. Barely a runner outside the first half dozen on the inside jumped at all, and when the field had covered a furlong there must have been a half furlong between the leader, Lady Panacre, and the tail-enders. But bad start and all, the hot favourite, Torquil, greatly disappointed those backers who reckoned him a champion. Torquil had easily won a maiden at Victoria Park -at last effort, and was looked upon as a fair thing for the race. He did not get the best of the jump, but might have done a little better, for he was within striking distance three furlongs from home. But that he was not the “good thing beaten” some punters tried to make out was shown by the fact that Cyclone, the third horse, was even worse off at the start, and came from behind him. ROMPED HOME A RUNAWAY LINCOLN Mr. Sol Joel’s Dark Warrior romped away with the honours in the Lincoln Handicap. In fact, it may be described in turf parlance as “a one-horse race,” the chief feature being the lead established early in the contest by the winner and the ineffective effort made by Philammon to overhaul him. The victor had greater speed and outstayed all rivals. He started at a long price of odds, while some dozen others were much shorter but varying rates. None of the more popular candidates figured with any prominence at any stage of the race till near the end. The Mohawk then pushed ahead from the middle division to gain third place, five lengths behind the winner. Orbindos, prime favourite, could not be discovered at any point in the fighting line, nor did Priory Park emerge with any distinction. Priory Park’s stable companion, Philammon, did very cerditably, however, in being the only candidate capable of challenging with any hope of success. Indeed, for a few moments on entering the last quarter-mile. Mr. Jack Joel’s colt looked a possible winner, but this horse slowed down so much in the last eight yards that his jockey found the task hopeless. Rhyolite ran very well, and Fancy Free still better in securing fourth place. The final stage of the betting had its chief features in the heavy wagering

done over Orbindos and the weakening of Priory Park. Beary, rider of Orbindos, said after the race that his mouift laboured as if overweighted. Priory Park really did as badly as the favourite, and Adieu had not the speed necessary, though he galloped well for about six furlongs.