Epsom Preliminaries

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 482, 11 October 1928, Page 10

Epsom Preliminaries

PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES

Derby Will Be Good Contest

THE card which comes up for decision at Alexandra Park on Saturday does not leave any room for complaint as far as prize-money is concerned. The tight classes attached to the various events have brought together some of the finest light-harness exponents, in both the pacing and trotting departments, ever seen at Epsom.

While the fields in some of the contests will not be large, there is interest of sufficient calibre and evenness to warrant high-class racing, and the speculative public will find the task of solution in the various events a difficult one. The handicaps generally have been framed on a flattering scale and this makes the work of the backer more arduous than usual. Square-Gaited Section Trotters of moderate class are asked to step out irt the Waitemata Trot, of 12 furlongs, with its somewhat restrictive limit of 3.42. While under present day regulations in the squaregaited world, when the trotter is showing such a vast improvement, the' public may consider the limit an easy one, it takes a good improver to go better than the gait prescribed either by the promoters or the handicapper. In the event on Saturday, the field for the improving trotters is a. good one and no owner can say with a degree of certainty that he has a mortgage on the race. On recent track w’ork Etta Cole looks to have a good chance of success, but with Lonesome and Colonel Thorpe (who is settling down better of late) off the same peg. F. J. Docherty’s mare will be kept busy. Then further back such solid ones as

Kolmar, Gold Star. Roma Bingen, Bright Light, Anseline, Sebisca and Marble Star will have something to say in the finish. Marble Star, Bright Light, Kolmar, Roma Bingen, Colonel Thorpe and Etta Cole are half a dozen with possibilities. Two-mile Trotters The field in this event will not be

large, but nevertheless it will take some studying to select the dividendpayers. Great Change off the front would only require to go right all the way to make it extremely hard for the others, but of lat.e he has refused to do so, and Tiger Salve appears best of the front brigade on account of his solidity. Maxegin only needs to stay over the last couple of furlongs to make his chances Al, while Rose Bingen has a lot to recommend her. Betty Moko does not appeal off her tight mark, and if she % can win, then she is a better mare 'than generally given credit for. Sister Beatrice should do well if the' footing is solid, but Young Blake is such a determined chap that he looks like heading her off, and many others as well. Tiger Salve, Great Change, Maxegin, Rose Bingen and Young Blake should be mainly considered on the day. The Big Pacers The main event is the Spring Handicap, and while quantity will not be a feature of the contest, quality will play an important part. Jackie Audubon is a promising pacer and he may be first out and first home. This will not be so easily done, however.

with Loch Moigh and Dalmeny just in behind him, and then the speed merchant Western King, who is showing signs of staying a journey, will be handy at the finish. Gold Jacket is a rare prize and no task is too big for him, although he may just be short of a race. Machine Gun is one that is suited to the Epsom style of locomotion, and with regard to the old craze, ‘‘horses for courses,” he must be given a good look in. Kohara is a likely upset shot, while Jewel Pointer, now at the top of his form, and despite his back mark, may finish in front of the field. The Shaw bracket will count for a lot with

backers, but Loch Moigh. Jackie Xudubon. Dalmeny and Machine Gun will have friends. The Milers The mile heat has attracted a good lot and it is probably one of the most

difficult problems set for the day. Western King is a brilliant sprinter and if reserved for this go would be favourite, but no doubt his mission will be the two mile, with the prospect of qualifying for the Auckland Cup. Dillon Huon on the front is a better horse than given credit for. and will make things merry. The Shrew' is one to keep in with, and Lady Dunmore is always likely to bob up. If reserved for this go, Jackie Audubon would be just about home, while Native Prince and Talent are a good duo, and Dalmeny can go a good mile. Further back. Gold Jacket must have a great show, and if this was his sole mission it would take something out of the ordinary to beat him. Dillon Huon. The Shrew. Talent. Native Prince, Dalmeny and Gold Jacket will be in the boom. Secondary Division The smartest in this line are asked to meet in the Electric Handicap of 10 furlongs, and a warm contest it should provide. Dundas Boy is a speed merchant, and with Luvan and Free Advice should be the toughest of the front line. Pageant, Taipare and William the Great are nicely placed and all must be given a good chance. Nelson Tasker likes the distance, but has none the best of the argument, but Native Prince and Fight Ever are to be reckoned with. Luvan. Free Advice, ‘William the Great, Pageant, Taipare and Native Prince are likely to fight out the issue. Small indeed will be the field in the slower class two mile, but Harvest Child, Taipare. Pageant and King Pointer will share the honours on the machine, making it a good speculative proposition. The Improvers The race for improvers is always an interesting one, drawing forth a big field, but owing to the tight limit, many promising novices are not able to get a start. The class engaged is really more advanced than the usual novice quota, and the Waitemata Handicap will rank as an important one. Sunfish, Laplander, Cornelian, Nelson Dillon, Daytime and Free Advice are a batch from which the favourites may be drawn. The Blue Riband One of the chief features of the card

is the Great Northern Derby, the first of the three-year-old classics, and the field this year promises to be a good one both numerically and in point of quality. The best known performers engaged in this heat are Trustworthy. Wrackler. Wrackeen. Grandlight and Sonoma Child, but in Hinkler, Rolfe Audubon and Security there is something to warrant a good struggle with the chance of a. big surprise. The misfortuno to Trustworthy looks like keeping her out of the event, but Grandlight, the Nieholls pair, Sonoma Child and Hinkler will give food for thought.