N.Z. SAPLING STAKES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 678, 1 June 1929, Page 11

N.Z. SAPLING STAKES

TWO-YEAR-OLD TEST HISTORY OF THE CLASSIC The annual classic contest for baby pacers, and which decides the two-year-old supremacy for the season, eventuates at Ashburton next Saturday, when a-field of promising youngsters will take their places at the starting gate. When the staging of this classic was first mooted, the proposal met with quite a lot of opposition on the grounds that it was not advisable to race light harness horses at such a tender age as two years. The advocates in favour of the policy based their argument on the success achieved in America in this direction, and argued further that, being near the end of the season, the event would prove beneficial to the youngsters, and be an education to them before entering on the more serious side when they attained their third birthday.

That the Sapling Stakes has justifield itself has been amply demonstrated by past results, and the experience gained by a great number of juveniles who commenced their career in this fashion stood them in good stead in their later exploits. First Contest The two-year-old event has grown in popularity, and is looked upon as a good try-out for the Derbies of the following year. As a test in this respect, also, the Sapling Stakes has proved its worth, and each year candidates that show up prominently in the Ashburton classic take a big hand in the settlement of the three-year-old contests. The initial Sapling Stakes event was held in 1919, and was won by Mr. F. E. Jones's Doraldina, who won the New Zealand Derby as a. three-year-old, and also dead-heated, with Lady Swithin in the Champion Stakes after the latter had accounted for the Great Northern Derby. Mr. H. F. Nicolls was the next to get his name inscribed on the Sapling list through the agency of that great: filly Child© Pointer, who followed up this victory by annexing the New Zealand Champion Stakes and Maturity Handicap, while several good handicaps fell to her lot. Mr. Nicolls was successful the next year with I.atona, and then came Mr. R. M. Morton’s fine: run of three on end. Proved Great Cup Winner Ahuriri was the first to score in the tangerine jacket, and he went on to achieve wonderful deeds as a handicap horse. After winning two Waikato Cups, the son of Cathedral Chimes placed two New Zealand Cups to his credit, and then added the Auckland Cup scalp to his belt. “Scotty” Bryce went close last November to securing the New Zealand Cup for the third time. Taurekareka sailed home at the head of the two-year-olds the following year, and the next season he cleaned up the three classics, Great Northern Derby, Champion Stakes, and New Zealand Derby, registering 3.22 4-5 for the latter event, which stands as the record for the race, while he holds the Great Northern record with 3.29. For a time the son of Cathedral , Chimes or Matchlight was a good stake earner, and then he fell upon a lean period. After many failures, he was disposed of for the modest sum of £IOO, and afterwards entered N. C. Price’s stable, -where he has met with further successes. Kohara Made Good Mr. Morton completed the treble by the aid of Kohara. who as a three-year-old also placed the New Zealand Derbj’ and Champion Stakes to his credit. As a handicap winner, the Q-TOL HAS MANY USES Thousands of women folk use it for their hands. Thousands of men swear by It for shaving. All kiddies laugh at cuts, burns and bruises when Q-Tol is applied. Rapidly soothes sunburn and Insect bites. Ask your chemist, hairdresser or storekeeper for large, economical “Family Size” bottle at 3s 6d.—2.

Cathedral Chimes horse has gained further laurels, his two miles at Alexandra Park in 4.25 4-5 being a very fine performance, -while in 1927 he capped the issue by winning the New Zealand Cup for the Auckland sportsman, Mr. J. C. Webb. Showing Splendid Form As Kohara is still showing splendid form, his prospects of adding further to his winning list are decidedly rosy. Mr. IT. F. Nicolls produced the champion two-year-old again the follow-ing year, Nantwich being the successful candidate. The daughter of Nelson Bingen—Pearlchild w r as early on the job as a three-year-old, and secured the coveted honour of the Great Northern. Derby. She also turned out a good handicap mare, winning several liigh-class heats. Rich** e Hold:* Time Record Richore, who won the Stakes three years ago for Mr. R. W. Franks, and incidentally established a record for the race, 3.31, stopped the long line of successful competitors, who rose to greater things as they grey older. As a three-year-old, the son of Key de Oro —Lady Superior sported silk on fourteen occasions,, but after running third to Shadowland and Rey Logan in the New Zealand Derby (in which there were only four starters), lie failed to gain a situation in his other outings. This season he has made some amends, and won the Manawatu Cup. Ena wall, who won the stake for the Gisborne sportsman, Mr. R. C. Fisken, in 1927, unfortunately did not have a chance to prove herself as a three-year-old, owing to being injured when undergoing her Great Northern Derby preparation. The daughter of Peterwah has not since fulfilled her early promise.