Derby is All Over Bar the Pay-Out

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 471, 28 September 1928, Page 11

Derby is All Over Bar the Pay-Out

MOLLISON IN THE LIMELIGHT PRINCE HUMPHREY’S CHANCE Prom a public point of view the Rosehill Guineas settled all interest in tho A.J.C. Derby, for after the question of Mollison’s staying ability had been so effectually settled, how could any thk*ee-year-old be expected to stand up to him, asks a Sydney writer. Mollison was given a true test on Saturday week. He was asked a big question to lead all the way over nine furlongs. But those punters who during the race condemned the tactics employed by rider J. Daniels in rushing him to the front little knew that Mollison’s connections had a marvellous guide to the gelding’s ability. The previous week Mollison and Mountain Prince went to Rosehill to enable the youngster to gain experience of the track. Rosehill men are like oysters when it comes to imparting information, and it was only a very small coterie of racegoers that knew Mollison had run nine furlongs in 1.54, giving Mountain Prince a start, catching him at the half-mile, and then running home from there in 50. Had that been general knowledge Mollison’s price would not have been at light odds on. It would have been almost an impossibility to back him. Prince Humphrey’s Chance There seems nothing to bar the way for Mollison as a three-year-old now. Ho will meet fresh opposition from Prince Humphrey and Solitas in the Derby, and though each of those horses ran decent races at Rosehill it is really hard to imagine any of them extending Mollison. Prince Humphrey is the most likely opponent. He stuck to his job in great style after Limerick caught him a furlong from home in the Hill Stakes, and he was well ahead of the third horse, Greenline, at the finish. Solitas, a little raced Victorian Derby candidate, surprised by almost beating Greenline in that race, but though th© form makes him a Derby race proposition, it gives only a very meagre chance against Mollison. From an actual spectacular point of views, it is unfortunate that Mollison should be racing against three-year-olds this spring. His correct place is at weight-for-age, opposed to Limerick, Winalot and Gothic.