DERBY CONTEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 483, 12 October 1928, Page 10

DERBY CONTEST

SOME GOOD YOUNGSTERS The first of the trotting classics for the 1928-29 season—Great Northern Derby—will be staged at Alexandra Park to-morrow, when a stirring contest is anticipated, in which more than unsual interest is centred locally on account of an Auckland candidate having a fair chance of success. Since its inception of the race in 1916, when ‘•Scotty” Bryce captured the heat with Chid, till the 1926 contest, when J. T. Paul won for an Auckland provincial owner with > Great Peter, the classic was staged at the i Christmas fixture, but a change was | made last year to the spring carnival, Daphne de Oro, who turned out the best three-year-old yet produced being the winner. Bryce also won the classic in 1924 with Taurekareka, who traversed the mile and a half in 3.29, holding the time record for the race. Classy Performers All those mentioned turned out real good handicap horses, and other Northern Derby winners who have helped to make trotting history in the Dominion are Loeanda Dillon, Nelson Derby, Great Hope, Acron, Glenelg and Xantwicli. Mr. H. F. Nicolls, who won in 1919 with Lady Swithin and again in 1925 with Nantwicli, will be represented tomorrow with two promising Wrack youngsters, Wrackler and Wrackeen, and it may not be known till the classic is decided, which is the better of the Ashburton pair. J. Bryce, who produced winners in Chid and Taurekareka will be represented this year by Grand Light, a premising colt by Matchlight, who is credited, with being the sire of Taurekareka. Grand Light recently met with a slight accident, but this will not lose him many supporters. The Sapling Stakes winner, Sonoma Child, is one that must not be overlooked. and while he was not seen at his best when stepped out at New Brighton, it is satisfactory to know that he has made the trip to Auckland to take his place in the field. This fact alone would suggest that the Sonoma Harvester three-year-old has given his party some encouragement, and it will not be surprising to find him well in the picture. W. J. Tomkinson will be represented by PI inkier, a classy-looking youngster j by Nelson Bingen, who has had some j racing experience, and may give the I fancied candidates a hard fight. •Another Southerner, Lindbergh, a son of Author Dillon, claims an engagemnt, but his essays to date have not been suggestive of a classic winner. Security is a filly by Worthy Bond from Lady Haldane, which was purchased for a good figure by the Palmerston North sportsman. Mr. J. A. Mitchell, and while she may prove to be the goods, has not yet raced. The same condition applies to Mr. J. K. Corrigan’s representative, Little Guy, a shapely colt by Real Guy from Ladle Dillon, and therefore half-brother to a former-Derby winner. Great Hop©. Auckland Contingent With the unfortunate accident last week-end to Trustworthy, the prospects of the blue riband being captured locally has faded away, as outside of Mrs. Brady’s fino filly nothing in the district would appear to have a chance with the Southerners, Auckland will be represented by Rolfe Audubon, whose looks Will gain him friends. Alice Axworthy, who has just returned from a tour in Australia, Belle Axworthy and Bloss Audubon, both of whom are not ready for such a contest. However, with Grand Light, Wracker, Wrackeen, Sonoma Child and Hinkler there is material for a great race, which should raise the excitement of patrons to a high pitch.