SLIPPING ?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 600, 28 February 1929, Page 10

SLIPPING ?

Sydney View of Limerick's Defeat

PROSPECTS DISCUSSED

Limerick was beaten by Aussie in the Hazlett Memorial Stakes at Dunedin (N.Z.). What does this mean? Is the champion, who failed to run a place at his last start in Australia, on the decline? Will this defeat mean the cancellation of the trip to Sydney next month? Aussie’s defeat of Limerick has certainly opened up a big number of questions, says the Sydney *'Sun.’*

On the occasion of Limerick’s last visit to Sydney ho won the Warwick Stakes at Warwick Farm. Tatt’s Chelmsford Stakes, the Rosehill Stakes and dead-heated for tirst in the A.J.C. Spring Stakes. In the Craven Plate, however. Limerick was beaten out of a situation, Amounis, Fourth Hand, and Prince Humphrey filling places. It was stated on Limerick’s return to New Zealand that his loss of form was due to an injury to his near forefoot which had been occasioning F. D. Jones a deal of trouble.

Many, however, contended that Limerick had commenced to deteriorate, and recent events would appear to suggest that that is the case. Was it not proposed last spring that Limerick would proceed to Melbourne to tackle Gothic at the V.R.C. autumn meeting? This programme has not been carried out, and in the circumstances it had been suggested that Jones realised that a strenuous programme in Melbourne would have a prejudicial effect on Limerick when he had to race at Rand wick. History Not Repeated Probably the Flemington trip was put off so that Limerick could reveal his best at Randwick. Following the practice of 12 months ago Limerick was given a run in the Hazlett Memorial Stakes. Last year he won. This year he was beaten. It is hardly likely that Jones would pit his champion against Aussie unless Limerick was at his top. And if Limerick was as good as he was 12 months ago he could afford to be other than at his best and still beat any horse in New Zealand.

It has been advanced that Saturday’s race was run to suit Aussie, the event resolving itself into a half-mile sprint home. What are Australians’ impressions of Limerick? At his best he can run any race to suit himself. It matters not whether it is one of two miles. It is difficult to accept as explanation of Limerick’s defeat on Saturday that the race was not run to suit him. He is too good a horse at his best to go under as a result of tactics. The conviction is thus forced on us that Limerick is not the horse he was 12 months ago. More’s the pity.

It is to be hoped that Limerick shortly gives the lie to his latest effort. The Limond gelding is an ornament to the turf, and the longer he is able to show his best the better sport will there be provided for racing followers. But it is bard to get away from a solid, cold fact. No Cancellation

Will Limerick’s defeat mean the cancellation of his trip to Sydney? Arrangements have been made for the

gelding to leave New Zealand on March 1. In the meantime, however, Jones is sure to do some hard thinking. He is certain to appreciate the fact that Gothic is going along apparently as good as ever. And Gothic is sufficiently talented to tackle anything on four legs to-day. On top of this, Winalot has been taken along in easy fashion with a view to concentrating on the A.J.C. autumn meeting. Leaving Strephon out of the argument Jones will appreciate the fact that Gothic and Winalot are two rivals of outstanding merit to oppose. And to succeed his champion will need to be at his best.

Of course Limerick may improve in the next week. In that case he will certainly make the trip. It may also be argued that with no Gothic to oppose him in the Rosehill Rawson Stakes and Warwick Farm Chipping Norton Stakes (assuming that Gothic remains in Melbourne until the termination of the V.R.C. autumn meeting) Limerick may be brought across for those two races, with the Randwick racing being left to chance. NEWMARKET TRIAL (United I*.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) MELBOURNE, Wednesday. At Mentone to-day Durward (Cyklon —lsa) won the Newmarket Trial by two lengths from Cheosan (Kilbroney —Vicella), with Farsmanch third. Time, 1.13. This equals the course record. REMINDERS Nominations for the Bay of Plenty meeting close at 5 p.m. to-morrow (Friday) with the secretary, Mr. S. G. Willcock, Tauranga, or with Messrs. Blomfield and Co., Auckland. The fixture is to be held at Tauranga on Saturday, March 23. The annual meeting of the Franklin Racing Club has beer, set down for Saturday week at Pukekolie. Acceptances are due to close at 5 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) with the secretary, Pukekohe, or with Mr. A. J. Farquhar, secretary Avondale Jockey Club, Auckland. General entries for the Auckland Racing Club’s autumn meeting on Easter Saturday and Monday close with the secretary, Mr. W. S. Spence, at 5 p.m. on Friday week, March 8. At the same time first forfeit is due for the G.N. Oaks, G.N. St. Leger and G.N. Champagne Stakes. For the autumn fixture of the Avondale Jockey Club, to be held on Saturday and Wednesday, April 6 and 10, entries close at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15, with the secretary, Mr. A. J. Farquhar. Final payment for the All Aged Stakes is due at the same time.

Handicaps for the opening day of Ohinemuri Jockey Club's annual fixture at Paeroa on March 16 and 18 are due to make their appearance on Monday next, and acceptances close at 8 p.m. the following Friday, March 8, with the secretary, Mr. H. Poland, Paeroa, or with Messrs. Blomfield and CoAuckland.

Entries for the Manawatu meeting on March 20 and 2L are due at 9 p.m. to-morrow (Friday), also First forfeit for the Sires’ Produce Stakes and Manawatu Stakes.

Nominations for the C.J.C. Great Easter and Great Autumn handicaps close to-morrow (Friday) night.

Wellington first day handicaps are due on Monday next, and acceptances close on Friday, March 8, at 9 p.m.