Classic Thrill

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 466, 22 September 1928, Page 6

Classic Thrill

Monday’s Avondale Guineas

Episode’s Chief Opponents

FE fillies outnumber the colts and geldings in the Avondale Guineas—the star attraction at the suburban course on Monday—and it is odds on that one of the young equine ladies will pull it off. Looked at from any angle, one cannot get over the fact that the fillies predominate to an astounding extent. Incidentally, the historic struggle between Lysander and Commendation in this classic is recalled by the approach of Monday’s contest.

It seems more than two years ago isince Commendation and Lysander ' dead-heated in the Avondale Guineas, although that desperate finish was 4SO impressive that it remains pictured on the mind as if it were but yesterday. That race was run at Ellerslie, the Avondale course at that time being transformed into the magnificent convincing ground it is to-day. It is unlikely that Monday’s contest will bring before an admiring racing public any horses of the calibre of Lysander and Commendation, both then in their prime, and probably both superior to the majority of our classic winners of previous years. But how many of that vast throng who were thrilled at Ellerslie two years ago were aware of the tragedy that was to be the outcome of that intense duel, fought out to the bitter end as only two thoroughbreds can fight? Six weeks afterwards Lysander, at a Limerick price, just scrambled home from a field of moderates on a wet

track in the Great Northern Guineas, and subsequently failed in the Great Northern Derby. That struggle with Commendation got to the bottom of him, and it was not the fact that the colt was affected by a Derby preparation, as was the opinion generally held. Both Lysander’s owner, Mr. G. M. Currie, and trainer, Walter Rayner, put down the Absurd colt’s repeated failures to the after-effects of the Avondale Guineas race. 111-Fated Journey And what of Commendation? He scored later successes at three years, including the St. Legers at Trentham and Ellerslie. In the latter classic he did not have much opposition, but who can forget the manner in which he collared the pacemakers and hit the front half a mile from home, winning by many lengths—it looked as if he could have bea,ten the remainder by as much as a furlong!—in record time. His manner of accomplishing that task was such as to stamp him as worthy of being numbered among our greatest three-year-olds. A few months later he was taken to Australia for the spring racing, and before he arrived across the pond he was made favourite for the Caulfield Cup. In his first race. Commendation, not quite tuned up, was beaten into third place, a neck separating him from Limerick, the winner. After that the Lirrlond gelding went all to pieces and was brought home, his connections being convinced that the horse had been “got at” by an unscrupulous gang of horse dopers. That was 12 months ago, and Commendation has not raced in the interim. He is entered for the Auckland meeting a fortnight hence, and it is to be hoped that he will be on hand. A Vintage Year Australian sportsmen will not credit it that Commendation was as good as Limerick. But without a doubt there must have been very little between them, but unfortunately the question of supremacy as between them was never settled from three years old. The writer holds the opinion that although it might have been an even break between the two Limond geldings up to last season, Limerick has furnished to such an astonishing extent that he would still be the champion his admirers claim him to be. The season two years ago was in reality a vintage year for three-year-olds, with horses such as Limerick, Commendation and Lysander. It will probably be a long time before we see another sucli trio. But one is digressing, for the main purpose of this article was to review the field for next Monday. As already mentioned, it looks odds on a filly taking the honours. J-lere in brief is the field:—•

Fillies Colts and Geldings Mithra Metellus Episode High Falutin’ Gold Money Kingsland Prodice Jolly Money Lucy Rose Grand Tea White Wings Sir Russell Snow Drift Knightlike Maurinena

Most attention, of course, will be focussed upon Episode, for she was the best of her age last season. She contested her first race of the season at Wanganui last week, the Guineas, and she was beaten narrowly by Consent, who was beenfited by winter racing, The Limond filly was perhaps short of a gallop, despite which she was going every bit as good, if not a shade better, than Consent at the winning post. That Episode has not been doing well of late is somewhat dis-

quieting to her admirers, but if she runs it may be taken for granted that the filly is all right. It is in lier favour that the opposition does not appear over-strong. Won In Australia Most danger to the Wanganui filly is generally expected to come from Mithra, who is thoroughly seasoned. She won at seven furlongs in Sydney six weeks ago, but she was leniently treated in the matter of weight. Nevertheless she had to be good to pull it off, for she did not get the best of passages. Her other starts across the water were failures, although they would serve to get her thoroughly ready for Monday’s race. The very first time she was raced Mithra held out promises of possessing stamina, and this fact, together with her great condition (if she has not missed the master hand of her trainer), that abuses her prospects to be viewed with the greatest respect. Prodice too has won races from the back, and also after being out in front, which points to her being a tractable filly and a comfortable ride. m She may well develop into a three-year-old of class. Her effort over seven furlongs at Avondale on Thursday morning

was good, for she was tearing into it at the finish, Agrion’s Sister Another to be respected is White Wings, a sister to the brilliant Agrion. This filly has not accomplished a great deal in public, but her pace Is undeniable. It is known that the stable holds an exceedingly high opinion of White Wings, and they do not usually make mistakes. Those mentioned thus far comprise what might be termed the big four of the field. Other fillies left in up to this morning are Lucy Rose, who should be at her best on this course and at the distance: Gold Money, a speedy sprinter at least; Mauriaena, of whom an opinion is withheld until one has seen to-day of what she is capable; and Snow Drift, who is an unlikely starter. Now for the gentlemen of the party. First to be mentioned is High Falutin’, a promising sort from Fred Tilley’s stable, and therefore to be respected. High Falutin’ was third to Consent and Episode at Wanganui, a very modest third, be it said, but he was open to a lot of improvement. If the fillies have to strike their colours, it may be to the Grandcourt gelding. Kingsland is engaged in one of the Maiden divisions to-day, and so, too, are Jolly Money and Grand Tea, while Sir Russell, a most promising sort, will contest the Members’ Handicap. On their form will be obtained some sort of a guide on their Guineas prospects. Then there are Metellus and Knightlike, both of them unlikely starters. It is altogether an interesting field, if nothing more, and the quintette sorted out as likely to be in the picture when the judge is on the lookout are Mithra, Episode, White Wings, Prodice and High Falutin’. Having gone so far, one may not be so very wide of the mark in expecting the totalisator favourites to be— EPISODE and WHITE WINGS The following are the complete details of the Avondale Guineas field, with some of the riders engaged: HIGH FALUTIN' CRussell Grace), b g by Grandcourt—Table Talk, 8.10 SIR RUSSELL, (a. Tutt)!"’ ?h ”° R |jy ,S ArchiesLowil—Miss Floss. 8.10 KINGSLAND (FT. A. Harris), b s' by Quin Abbey—Vestal, 8.10 .. .... .. JOLLY MONEY (J. D. KeSip\ VcNy H Paper Money—Jolie Fille, 8.10 G ? AN J? TEA < M rs. IS. A. Scott), br cl by Tea Tray—Lilculla, S.lO . . EPISODE (Or. M. Currie); ch f, by I.L rnond—Homage, 8.5 .. B. H. MORRIS MITHRA (C. W. Anderson), hr r, bv Australian Sun —Bonum, 8.5 J, BARRY GOLD MONEY (W. Kemp), b f, by Paper Money—Miss Ethel, 8.5 WHITE WINGS (Wenzl Scholium), ch t» by Limond—-Water wings, 8.5 (J* K. Walters), blk f* by Lucullus—Wairarapa, 8.5 LUCY ROSE (O. A. Reid/. 1> El f. N by L Lucullus—Autumn Rose. 5.5 .. A TINKFR PRODICE (F. E. Loorab), b f, by Catmint—Hyades, 5.5 .. . 'SNOWDRIFT (A. E. Tattl'ey')', br V, King—Lightning. 8.5 .. .. 'METELLUS (Mrs. M. Blackmore), br g, by Paladin—War Lady, 8.10 *KNIGHTLIKE (A. B. Williams), b g, by Paladin—Sweet Charity, 8.10 .. AVON COURT (F. Gilchrist), b f, by Lucullus—Aron Park, 8.5 L. MANSON -Doubtful starters.