A Wonderful Field

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 846, 14 December 1929, Page 17

A Wonderful Field

CLASSY YOUNGSTERS IN DERBY Great Parrish Local Hope “ABAYDOS" SURVEYS THE POSITION NEVER in the history of the trotting classics in New Zealand has such an even high grade and successful lot of three-year-olds been set down to contest a Derby as that which will be seen in action at Alexandra Park on Friday, ‘‘December '2l.

In thA past some great youngsters have taken part in these events, but each year there has been usually an outstanding star capable of leading the field home in both the New Zealand and Auckland Derby. In the recent contest for the southern classic, four young pacers showed marked ability by finishing at close range in a memorable contest, that proved a record, both from a time and spectacular point of view. It was pratically the greatest contest ever witnessed in the history of the classics, but the excitement of that day at Addington promises to be eclipsed at Alexandra Park on the opening day of the Auckland club’s summer carnival, when the fourteenth contest for the Great Northern Derby comes up for decision. The prominent lights of the Christchurch race will be reflected at Epsom, but there are several other juveniles of high calibre engaged in the local struggle which were absent from last month’s conflict. WELL PERFORMED CONTESTANTS The Northern classic record reveals many winners who later rose to fame as great pacers, the most notable being Locanda Dillon, Nelson Derby, Great Hope, Acron, Taurekareka (holder of the record with 3.29), Daphne de Oro and Wrackler. This year the field is much larger than usual, and contains seven youngsters which have already been entered as winners of various events. These are Great Parrish (four wins). Purser, First Flight, Grand Canyon (two wins each), and Royal Silk, Lydia and Ngingo Ngingo, who have all earned one winning certificate. When Purser, Royal Silk and Ngingo Ngingo flashed past the post at Addington, with practically heads between them, Great Parrish was a length and a-half away fourth, but while defeated

the Aucklander was not disgraced, as he tramped 3.23 for the distance —which would have won the classic nine times out of ten. After the sound effort o£ Guy Parrish’s son at the Otahuliu meeting recently local fans can form some opinion of the calibre of the three youngsters that headed the colt off at Addington. WILL BE AT HOME As far as these four rivals are concerned, the question arises, which will make the most improvement in the interim. How will they be affected by the grass track at Epsom. In the case of the Manger© colt, he will be quite at home on the turf. Furthermore, he will not be far from home, which will be a whole lot in his favour. His Southern victors will be at any disadvantage accruing from travel, and if they can finish in front of J. T. Paul’s colt at Epsom, they will most deservedly be entitled to the stake and the honour. LIKELY CANDIDATE But the struggle will not by any means be confined to the quartet referred to. From the South is expected Real Huon, a youngster of exceptional promise, which last June put up a sensational run in the Sapling Stakes to finish second to John Jinks, while Ngingo Ngingo secured third place. It was a w'onderful performance on the part of the three two-year-olds, and

Two other Aucklanders to stand their ground are the Blue Mountain King fillies, First Flight and Kewpie’s Guy. While the latter is a fine-looking youngster, with a good style and fair turn of speed, her prospects cannot be held on recent achievements to be as

their times, 3.28 1-5,3.28 2-5, and 3.28 3-5 were illuminative. Purser was unplaced in this heat, but he failea to strike a correct gait at the get-away. Real Huon is a well-bred celt by Denver Huon from Placid, and is trained by O. E. Hooper, which is a few more points in his favour. Real Huon can be counted upon to add further inteiest to an already interesting situation. Then there is Grand Canyon, who after manv disappointments, has got on the winning list. If as good as his connections claim, the Wrack colt should also be in the firing line. Lydia, a Wrack filly, and recent winner at Dunedin, is another that will make things interesting.

bright as those of McKendrick Bros.’ candidate. The latter is a distinct possibility. In fact, it will not be surprising to find this highly-bred filly recording the most improvement of any aspirant during the next two weeks. Her win on the opening day of the Otahuhu fixture was a sterling one, while her previous effort at Hamilton over 13 furlongs, proved her worth as a real racehorse. With Great Parrish and First Flight the North has something worthy of keeping the elite of the South busy on the great day. It is undoubtedly a field of quality, and lovers of the popular pastime can look forward with confidence to witnessing one of the greatest and most stirring contests ever seen at the Park. A BIG FIVE Purser will go very close to winning the “double,” and with Royal Silk, who was susceptible of improvement, and Ngingo Ngingo, considered in some quarters a bit unlucky in the Addington race, doing a shade better, there will be very little between this trio. Then Real Huon is given a great chance and must be taken into serious calculation, while the party behind Grand Canyon and Lydia anticipate being in the money. Speculators will have plenty of scope for investment, and when the position is reviewed from their standpoint on the eventful day, five to receive solid support should be Great Parish, Purser, Royal Silk, Ngingo Ngingo and Real Huon.