Honour's Opponents Are Badly Scared

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 769, 16 September 1929, Page 12

Honour's Opponents Are Badly Scared

COLT GALLOPS BRILLIANTLY ONLY QUESTION OF STAMINA Honour is going to prove a mighty three-year-old. just as he was an allconquering two-year-old last season, when he came to Randwick and won his only contest, the £6.000 Sires’ Produce Stakes. Some who have seen the work he has done since his recent arrival from New Zealand already wish that they had been brave enough to give the price asked for him when he was put up for auction last Easter. It is said that the reserve was 6.000 guineas, and nobody got near that offer. But it is quite on the cards that he will prove worth a lot more money. The question is whether he will stay. As to his speed there is no question. A gallop at Randwick last Tuesday week emphasised his brilliance. But whether he will run the Derby distance or not, he is likely to prove a great stake winner at lesser distances. Knowing that Jaleux, the stable mate brought over to gallop with Honour, is not of much use to the champion, he was given 10 lengths’ start in six furlongs in that trial. At the end Honour just gobbled him up with the greatest ease, and recorded best time of the morning, 1.17|. At that he was by no means at his I top. He is such a magnificent galloper ■ that he seems at his ease even when I putting up good time. Trainers of rival Derby candidates eagerly await Honour’s attempts to go a distance in order to see whether he can stay. They recognise him as one to be feared at shorter distances, and if he can go farther rival Derby chances are frail.

DERBY “IFS”

STAMINA WILL TELL AT RANDWICK PARKWOOD’S PROSPECTS Derby prospects are arousing much interest in Sydney at the moment. Although the New Zealand colt Honour is nominally favourite, it is merely because of his success in the Sires’ Produce Stakes last spring. Nobody knows whether he will stay well enough to win the classic. There are a dozen candidates as highly thought of, and the problem has the public fairly guessing» If one could be certain of the staying ability of any one candidate the outlook might be clearer. Suppositions is playing a big part in the discussions, and the little word “if” is an obstacle that cannot at the moment be easily surmounted. “If Parkwood can stay he will win the Derby,” said an admirer of the colt at Warwick Farm recently. But no doubt the owners of every one of the probable runners are making similar observations. Pedigrees are being analysed and performances studied with deep interest. Last year the most brilliant three-year-old failed because of lack of stamina. Open to Ooubt Which is the most brilliant of the present crop is open to doubt. Honour may be, though Parkwood, Toper, and Nedda have strong claims to consideration. Both Parkwood and Toper acquitted themselves well at Warwick Farm. Perhaps if Parkwood had started in the Hobartville Stakes instead of the Warwick Stakes he would have beaten Toper, but that is a point on which no definite opinion can be expressed. Toper has developed orilliance rather late in the day, but certainly not too late. His form was undoubtedly good, and he fought on in the Hobartville Stakes in a manner which suggests he will stay. Doesn't Know Percy Mason declares he does not know whether Honour will stay. As two-year-olds Comanche and Carradale showed stamina, but the acid test has yet to be applied to them. Comanche did not reveal his two-year-old quality last Saturday, but might not have been forward enough. Carradale’s gallop a fortnight ago (nine furlongg in 1.57 h) was certainly very encouraging. Pentheus was doing well toward the finish of the Hobartville Stakes, and as he is by Rossendale he may turn out to be a better three-vear-old than he was a two^year-old. Firbolg appears to have stamina and he ran a very good race in the mile welter which Perception won at Warwick Farm. Whether he has the necessary brilliance to win the Derby is a point that has yet to be determined. Mr. Alf Levy, a travelling sportsman well known to Victorians, has a colt named King Crow of which he has very high hopes. King Crow is by Crowdennis out of the Comedy King mare, Greek Girl, and has won a couple of races in Sydney. Recently he ran a dead heat with Firbolg find his owner was verv much Impressed. At present the race bears a very open appearance and anybody who has a particular fancy is given a good opportunity to suport it. The market shows the better known candidates to be fancied in something like the following order.— A.J.C. Derby Honour. Carradale, Parkwood. Toper. Comanche, Firbolg, Pentheus, Nedda.