V.R.C. DERBY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 502, 3 November 1928, Page 6

V.R.C. DERBY

Strephon Has Royal Chance of Winning WHAT OF PRINCE HUMPHREY? When it is said that Strephon made a hack of Vaak in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield, a fortnight ago, Sydney people who know Vaals’ ability over a mile and three furlongs will realise that Strephon is a good horse, comments a Melbourne correspondent of a Sydney paper. It is in fact no idle boast of Mr. Sol Green, his owner, that he will win the Derby and Melbourne Cup with him. He expected to win both Cups with Gothic and Strephon. but it is believed that he is more confident of Strephon than he was of Gothic. And after hie Herbert Power win there were many thouands on the course ready to agree with the opinion. Held His Lead Easily With no prospect of a pacemaker.

Strephon’s rider was instructed to go to the front. He wasn't in a hurry in this role of pacemaker, but at the same time kept up a good, solid speed. Vaals, Spear King, and Maple were

his nearest rivals in the race, but when Vaals made a sudden dash five furlongs from home, and ran alongside Strephon it was thought that the race would now begin in earnest, and that Strephon would be thoroughly taxed. But nothing could head him. He held his lead down the side and around the home turn. At the straight entrance both Vaals and Maple made a forward move. Vaals was first to crack, but Maple went on in most determined fashion, so rapeh so that the stands hailed her as the wanner. She got to within half a length of Strephon, but those who were watching the favourite saw that Howes, his apprentice rider, was sitting still. In fact, he was riding a most confident finish. When he saw Maple gaining a little he shook Strephon up slightly, and the colt went on. Thus he watched Maple all the way for half a furlong, just keeping sufficient advantage to say that he was winning. Finally, however, lie gave the colt full rein, and Strephon went on to win the race by 2£ lengths, while Maple beat Vaals into third place by four lengths. Then Maple went on to win the Caulfield Cup. The time, 2.20, though only within a second of the course record, was good considering the conditions under which Strephon made it. He could have reduced.. it considerably if he had been engaged in a hard contest all the way instead of taking things so leisurely. Strephon rs a big, powerful colt, well able to handle the 8.10 he will have to carry in the Derby thl# afternoon. Moreover, he is a genuine stayer, and looks like beating Prince Humphrey.

Asked afterwards if he thought Strephon would run the Cup journey, his trainer, Lou Robertson, replied: "Stay! He will stay for a week. ’ From every point of view it was a satisfactory performance as a trial to his Derby and Cup engagements.