ENGLAND’S BEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 430, 11 August 1928, Page 6

ENGLAND’S BEST

TWO IN RUNNING FELSTEAD—GANG WARILY THE ST. LEGER WILL DECIDE Another Epsom over. Four of the five “classics” run, and only the St. Leger left. Yet he would be a brave man who would venture a selection as to the best three-year-old of the year. Let us look at two that we have seen. First of all take Felstead. Here is a colt that is bred to do anything. In his pedigree there is nothing “flash.” By “flash” I mean that unreliable five furlong blood that is such a curse at the moment (comments a writer in London “Sporting Life”). Spion Kop, Spearmint, Carbine, and Musket in the tail-male; Felkington, Comparison, Combine, and Molly Morgan in tail-female, with the two middle lines ending in the Cesarewitch winner Hammerkop and the Derby winner, Lemberg, who came from such mares as Concussion and Galicia. Inbreed to Carbine On the top of all there is an inbreed to Carbine that must have something at least to do with Felstead’s genuineness. Before the race, I am told, Capt. Bell, Fetefcead’s trainer, was afraid that he would be cut for speed in the early part of the race. Surely his win and the dismal failures that others showed themselves to be must make owners see that something more than mere sprinting blood is required in a pedigree for its possessor to win a Derby. Admittedly, the three-year-olds are a poor lot, but the breeding of the Derby winner is a bright spot in a bad year, and Sir Hugo Cunliffe-Owen is to be congratulated in owning a colt that may later on help the Hurry Ons to infuse more stamina and less weakness into the present-day thoroughbred. Too many excuses are made for beaten horses. These “sneezed twice” and “kicked at post” and “hand patted” ideas are becoming monotonous, and I feel sure that if owners would pay more attention to pedigree and less to looks, both in their own paddocks and in the sale ring, things would improve. The Other Felstead One last word upon the winner. My friend Mr. A. J. Blanchard, of the Buckland Stud, has called my attention to the fact that in the G. 5.8., Vol. XXIV., there is another Felstead. This was a mare by Avington out of Hainesby, by Hermit or Ethelred, that was bred by Mr. G. Hayward and was foaled in 1899. I mention this fact a/s she had several offspring, and it seems a pity that the name should have been repeated so soon, as it must lead to a certain amount of confusion in the future. Next to Felstead I do not think there is much doubt but that Gang Warily was the best colt seen during Epsom week. He lost—more excuses, but this time they are very genuine ones. Throughout the winter he was backward, and as the spring came on he, for some reason, could not assimilate his food, and went to nothing directly he was asked to do anything. So long as his exercise was confined to walking all was well, but directly he was galloped he faded out. Obviously something was wrong, and he was moved to Epsom, and Professor Robertson was called in to supervise his management. St. Leger Danger At the most six weeks elapsed. Miracles are nowadays out of date, but for all that he ran fifth, and, to my mind, will, with Cyclonic, be the big danger to Felstead in the St. Leger in September. I have so often mentioned his breeding that I hesitate to do so again, but it is worth noting that he is by Diligence out of Clear Case. Diligence is by Hurry On and Clear Case is by Son-in-Law. Thus he has, in his pedigree, the two strongest lines of staying blood that there are in the country to-day. Doncaster is still a good way off. In that time both trainer and supervisor have a reasonable chance, and he will strip and run a very different horse to what he did at Epsom. Probably I have written too much about these two horses to the omission of others, but in years to come we shall look back upon 1928 as either Felstead or Gang Warily’s year, so it is justified. Coupons—and Coupons! The naming competition inaugurated recently by a Perth newspaper resulted in over 3,000 names being submitted for three two-year-olds, two of whom are New Zealand-bred. First prize was awarded to Bonny Money as the name for the Paper Money— Bonny Helen colt; Ozonia for a Sea Crest—Barinia colt secured second prize, and third prize went to the name Pure Blend for the Tea Tray—Takahau filly. Commenting on the competitions, the judge remarked: “Coupons were gummed on, sewn on, pinned on with small and large pins, safety pins, gramophone needles, sewing needles, and machine needles, and one reader informed me that a certain brand of condensed milk was excellent for attaching coupons to paper. There were numerous wags among the competitors, whose contributions made good reading. One contributor, “Hollywood Bill,” broke into verse.” REMINDERS Nominations for the Marton Jockey Club’s spring meeting close at 9 p.m.. on Friday. August 17. Entries for the Wanganui Jockey Club’s spring fixture are due at 8 p.m.. on Monday, August 20. Nominations for the Avondale Jockey Club’s spring meeting, to be held on September 22 and 24, close at 5 p.m. on August 31. At the same time final payments must be made for the Avondale Stakes and Avondale Guineas. Entries for the New Zealand Cup are due on Friday, August 24. The stake money this year is £2,000 (£1.900 and a £IOO gold cup), and the maximum weight 9.6.