FITNESS WON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 513, 16 November 1928, Page 11

FITNESS WON

STREPHON WILL DEVELOP MAIDEN TWO MONTHS BEFORE CUP When Sol Green congratulated Bill Kelso, the owner of Statesman after the Melbourne Cup, the latter remarked, “Yes, Sol, my horse was fitter than yours, and that’s why he won the Cup.” Mr. Green admitted that this was the case, and added that exactly two months and a day before the Cup Streplion was a maiden, who had done little racing. In the time available he could not possibly complete the preparation that Statesman did. It was fitness that won the Cup, and being underdone cost Strephon his chance. There is little doubt that Strephon will stay two miles, and next year he will be a great horse if he can stand up to the preparation that Kelso gave Statesman this year. Air. Green says he may give Strephon a good rest, but lias not made up his mind yet. For a “green” horse he ran a wonderful race, and, although beaten, Mr. Green was proud of his performance. WHEN THE AXE FELL TWO DISQUALIFICATIONS Australian Racing Club stewards’ axe fell last week on two of the most prominent figures on pony courses. R. Ferris, who races extensively, was disqualified for six months over the running of Sweetie in the first division of the Novice, and G. Meddick, who won a Melbourne Cup on Kingsburgli, was suspended for a similar period. It was the second time in the last fortnight that prominent men have fallen foul of the stewards, and the action shows that the officials do not differentiate between big man and battler. Sweetie has been a bad horse for Ferris. She has been backed time after time only to fail, but last week it was expected in some quarters that the mare would run well. For a time she was well in the market at 7 to 1. but, with a total lack of support, came a rapid drift. Has Good Team Sweetie did not show up in the race, but the stewards must have detected something to warrant taking such drastic action. She ran on fairly in the straight, and finished seventh right on top of the place-getters. Ferris generally has a big team in his care. He is well known in pony circles as the owner-trainer of Merle, Christmas Gift, Citerior, and All Gab, so that the disqualification will fall heavily upon him.