Cut-Throat Tactics By Southerners Brought About Pink Coat's Defeat

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 787, 7 October 1929, Page 12

Cut-Throat Tactics By Southerners Brought About Pink Coat's Defeat

Eaglet The Bulliant

The Gre.it Northern Guineas was just the wrong race that Pink Coat chose to misbehave himself, for in that classic contest, of all races, he took it into his head to bolt. Not ' ven his seman, J Ellis, could keep him under control. At the* salne time, the Southern colt gave a rare display of gameness. But the question now arises, just how good is Eaglet? Those who saw the remarkably easv fashion in which she collared Pink Coat and Leader at the bottom of the straight will have

it that she is one of the best ill lies we have seen out for some seasons. Results tend to buck up that opinion. A Torrid Pace The instructions to Leader’s jockey were: Go to the front and stop there as long as you can. The boy fulfilled these instructions to the letter, and incidentally contributed in no small fashion to the downfall of his fellow There was no loitering. Leader saw to that, lie ran the first two furlongs in a slick L'4 4-5 lrom a barrier start, and it was at this stage that Pink Coat joined him in front.. After this Leader could not carry ou the instructions, for Pink Coat simply would pot let him. Indeed, the Hunting Song colt had his head slightly in front crossing the top, passing the halfmile in 49 1-5, and he was on the outside. The hacks later in the day took 50 3-5 for their last half-mile over the same distance. Eaglet Conceded Big Start At this time Eaglet was following this pair, but she was four lengths behind them, playing.a waiting game. And with the pace so hot Goldfinch was wise in following out this policy, for he must have known, as a good judge of pace, that the pair in front would run themselves out. At the home turn Eaglet was within a couple of lengths of the leading pair of Southerners, that is just about two and a-lialf furlongs from home. Then there was a dramatic change in the situation. Eaglet’s backers were wondering if she would overhaul the early advantage gained by the leaders, but there was really no cause for anxiety. When she was within two lengths of them, and just straightening up, Goldfinch moved on Eaglet. That was the end of it, for the filly within the next 50yds had gathered up both Pink Coat and Leader, and even hed a slight advantage at the two-fur-long post. There she was allowed to remain, biding her time. Ellis started to ride Pink Coat a furlong from home, where the filly had her neck in front, and right gamely, did the colt respond. At the half-distance it looked as if Pink Coat would draw up to Eaglet, but once again it was Goldfinch’s move, and then the filly once more asserted herself.

As they swept past the judge Eaglet was a long neck in front of the Southerner, whose followers lost some of their investments, for the colt was a regular hot pot, while the winner was not much above evens. A Wee Bit in Hand It was a convincing win. Eaglet was ridden an excellent race by 11. Goldfinch, and she ran so smoothly that she gave her rider an easy time to earn his £34 4s in riding fees. Goldfinch displayed excellent judgment throughout the race. At the finish the Chief Ruler filly had it well on Pink Coat, and she was doing it so nicely then that it can be

said that she won with a bit in reserve. Ihe filly must have broken 48 for her final half-mile. Mr. F. Earl came in for many congratulations on possessing such a beautiful filly, and be was present to see her win for the tirst time this season. Incidentally this made htr fiffh start and fifth success this season. It now remains to be seen if Eaglet will stay. She certainly caused u«> qualms at the end of the fast-run mile on Saturday, with The last halfmile cut out in 49 2-5. Nothing wrong ! with that. Game As They Are Made Although beaten Pink Coat covered i himself with glory. He was set ‘an impossible task. Under similar conditions Gloaming himself was beaten a. few years ago. when he was carted off his legs over the first portion of the journey. The Hawk being responsible for the pace and Thespian it was that collected the stake. To make it so hot over the first half-mile and then have mor* than a kick—he had several kicks —left in him to dispute every inch of the last fur.ong showed the colt up in a truly brilliant light. It was a rare display of gameness worthy of a better fate. Pink Coat will not win the Derby. That is unless he can be got to settle away as he showed himself to bo in Saturday s Guineas would not see out a mile and a-lialf. It is a thousand pities, but perhaps with a bit mo.'t solid work and racing into him he will be a different horse. Then Honour and company will know he is in the race. Outclassed Hunting Cry was the best outside of Eaglet and Pink Coat. His rider. E. A. Keesing, has been criticised for allowing the gelding to drift too much in the early part. But just how many horses could go with horses likLeader, Pink Coat and Eaglet? At the home turn Hunting Cry was sL lengths behind the pacemakers, ami was there simply because he was not able to go with them earlier. This half-dozen lengths extended to sever at the winning post, so lie was cased slightly and only made sure of third money. Hunting Cry won the Hawke’s Ray Guineas in a common canter. . That Eaglet and Pink Coat should be able to beat him so decisively shows thjit this pair tire outstanding three-year-olds. They easily outclassed the opposition. Lot To Answer For Leader has a lot to answer for. He was responsible for the pace in the very early part, and enticed Pink Coat to catch him and then run himself out. It was cut-throat, and perhaps brought about the downfall of Pink Coat. Who knows? Leader finished fourth, two lengths behind Hunting Cry. Flying Prince went much more kindly than in the Avondale classic, finishing fifth. False Scent was beaten when the barrier wfent up. for he was left quite four lengths. He ran well afterward, and with a getaway might have beaten Hunting Cry for the minor placing. False Scent should be a good three-year-old later on. A Gross Customer The pace cracked up Imperial Prince, who was actually one of the first horses beaten. His showing was a great disappointment, for it was reasonable to expect some improvement after his promising display U Avondale. Carl Idem was last, and is apparently not up to the standard, although he may develop into a pretty fair performer later on. The Great Northern Guineas is over, and it has proved the claims of the Eaglet party that she is a great filly. But Pink Coat is not far behind. He lacked racing condition, and later on in the season it is possible that tiie colt will turn the tables on the sweet Northern filly.