N.Z. SAPLING STAKES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 374, 7 June 1928, Page 7

N.Z. SAPLING STAKES

Two-Year-Old Test Proved Good Introduction for Many HISTORY OF THE CLASSIC THE ANNUAL CONTEST TO DECIDE THE TWO-YEAR-OLD PACING SUPREMACY OF THE SEASON WILL EVENTUATE AT ASHBURTON ON SATURDAY , AND WILL FORM ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ITEMS ON A CARD THAT HAS ATTRACTED A LIBERAL RESPONSE FROM OV 7 NERS GENERALLY. THE SAPLING STAKES ISSUE APPEARS TO LIE BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WELL-KNOWN BREEDERS , MESSRS. H. F. NICOLL AND R. M. MORTON.

When the staging of a classic was first mooted the proposal met with quite a lot of opposition on the grounds that it was not advisable to race lightharness horses at such a tender age as two years. The advocates in favour of the policy based their argument on the success achieved in America in this direction, .and argued further that being near the end of the season the event would prove beneficial to the youngsters and be an' education to them before entering on the more serious side when they attained their third birthday. That the Sapling Stakes has justified itself has been amply demonstrated by past results, and the experience gained by a great number of juveniles who commenced their career in this fashion stood them in good stead in their later exploits. First Contest The two-year-old event has grown in popularity and is looked upon as a good try-out for the Derbies of the following year. As a test in this respect also the Sapling Stakes has proved its worth, and each year candidates that show up prominently in the Ashburton classic take a big hand in the settlement of the three-year-old contests. The initial Sapling Stakes event was held in 1919 and won by Mr. F. E. Jones’s Doraldina, who won the New Zealand Derby as a three-year-old, and also dead-heated with Lady Swithin in the Champion Stakes after the latter had accounted for the Great Northern Derby. Mr. H. F. Nicoll was the next to get his name inscribed on the Sapling list through the agency of that great filly Childe Pointer, who followed up this victory by annexing the New Zealand Derby, Champion Stakes and Maturity Handicap, while several good handicaps fell to her lot. Mr. Nicoll was successful the next year with Latoma, and then came Mr. R. M. Morton’s fine run of three on end. Proved Great Cup Winner Ahuriri was the first to score in the tangerine jacket and he went on to achieve wonderful deeds as a handicap horse. After winning two Waikato Cups, the son of Cathedral Chimes placed two New Zealand Cups to his credit, and last December added the Auckland Cup scalp to his belt. “Scotty” Bryce intends giving Ahuriri another preparation for the Domirfion’s richest prize next November and there is no disputing the fact Mft*. Morton’s pacer will be on hand when it comes to the deciding point. Taurekareka sailed home at the head of the two-year-olds the following year, and the next season he cleaned up the three classics, Great Northern Derby, Champion Stakes and New Zealand Derby, registering 3.22 4-5 for the latter event, which stands as the record for the race, while he holds the Great Northern record with 3.29. For a time the son of Cathedral Chimes or Match - light was a good stake earner and then he fell upon a lean period. After many failures he was disposed of for the modest sum of £IOO, and afterwards entered N. C. Price’s stable. The latter persevered with the gelding who last season won three good handicaps and this year has again succeeded in getting his name conspicuously on the winning list. Kohara Has Made Good Mr. Morton completed the treble by the aid of Kohara, who as a three-year-old, also placed the New Zealand Derby and Champion Stakes to his credit. As a handicap winner the Cathedral Chimes horse has gained further laurels, his two miles at Alexandra Park in 4.25 4-5, being a very fine performance, while last November he capped the issue by winning the New Zealand Cup. As Kohara is still a comparatively young horse his prospects of adding further to his winning list is decidedly

recording fast times, and next season should see her reaching top hole company. The Coming Contest In connection with the two-year-old event which comes up for decision on Saturday ten remain after payment of the final forfeit, and of that number two, in Wrackler and Grandlight, are best known to the public. In fact, it looks very much as if the contest will resolve itself into a Nicoll—Morton

duel. Both breeders and owners have carved their names on the Sapling honours board three times and Saturday’s event should give one of the sportsmen a lead. Wrackler, who carries the Nicolls livery has a smart performance to her credit, having finished third in a mile and a-half at Ashburton on April 21 to Delightful and Loiterer, cutting out the distance in the great time of 3.29 4-5. Grandlight has also finished in second position on two occasions recently and he will be an improved colt when he steps out again. Nicoll v. Morten Others in Royal Triumph, Hinkler and Guy Denver are spoken of as likely customers, but the speculative public will look to the Wrackler and Grandlight, who have had some racing experience and g.iven a fair sample of their capabilities, to fight out the finish. Wrackler may start, actual favourite but “Scotty” Bryce and his colt will take a power of beating. It is somewhat unfortunate that the Penroseowned Trustworthy, who has proved her two-year-old superiority by winning two races already, will not measure strides with the best of the Southerners, but whichever' succeeds on Saturday in winning the Stakes can look forward to strong opposition from Mrs. Brady’s filly, when they meet in the Great Northern Derby in October.

rosy. Mr. H. F. NichQlls produced the champion two-year-old again the following year, Nantwich being the successful candidate. The daughter of Nelson Bingen—Pearlchild was early on the job as a three-year-old and secured the coveted honour of the Great Northern Derby. She also turned out a good handicap mare, and after winning several short distance heats she wound up the last season by winning over two miles at Ashburton and defeating Author Jinks. Richore Holds Time Record Richore, who won the Stakes two years ago for Mr. R. W. Franks, and incidentally established a record for the race (3.31) stopped the long line of successful competitors who rose to greater things as they grew older. Last season the son of Rey de Oro— Lady Superior, sported silk on fourteen occasions, but after running third to Sliadowland and Rey Logan in the New Zealand Derby (in which there were only four starters) he failed to gain a situation in his other outings. Enawah, who won the stake last June for the Gisborne sporstman, Mr. R. C. Fisken, unfortunately did not have a chance to prove herself as a three-year-old. owing to being injured when undergoing her Great Northern Derby preparation. The daughter of Peterwah was expected to play a big part in the classics of the season just closing and while there were many at the time of the opinion that she would have downed Daphne de Oro the subsequent performances of the latter show that the Gisborne filly would have had a difficult task. Enawah only sported silk on one occasion this season. and then she did not give her numerous backers a run for their money. Daphne de Oro a Great Filly She was sold, however, to Mr. Wilfred Johnson at a substantial figure and next year should see the Peter - wah youngster furthering her claim to recognition as a real good one. Although Daphne de Oro was only a moderate third to Enawah in the Sapling Stakes last year, her remarkable performances this season stamp her as one of the greatest three-year-olds the Dominion has produced. Besides winning both Derbies, the daughter of Logan Pointer or Rey de Oro (whose dam is Doraldina, the first Sapling Stakes winner), has won over every distance, defeating good company and