GREAT CLASSIC EVENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 855, 26 December 1929, Page 13

GREAT CLASSIC EVENT

HIGH GRADE THREE-YEAR-OLDS IN G.N. DERBY GREAT PARRISH FANCIED Since its inception in 1916, the Great Northern Derby has been productive of some fine contests among three-year-olds, and seme high-class youngsters have placed their names on the honours board, but never in the history of the event has the outlook for a thrilling, stirring _ and hard-fought battle been so inspiring as in the approaching classic. Each year has found on© or two contestants of outstanding merit monopolising the interest in the Epsom blue riband item, with the result that on tho eventful day, the prominent juveniles command the attention of the great majority of backers. But with regard to the race which is about to eventuate at Alexandra Park the position is entirely altered, as several youngsters have rosy prospects. During the last couple of seasons, the Auckland classic was the first of the year, and its result threw a piercing flashlight on the possibility of the New Zealand Derby at Addington. This year the order has again been changed, and following on the heels of the great struggle for three-year-old supremacy recently witnessed at Christchurch, tends to prove what a wonderful contest will take place when the cream of the juveniles try conclusions at Epsom tomorrow. Some Past Winners

Hooking over past records of the blue riband, it is worthy of note that many winners of the Northern Derby rose to fame as high-grade handicap horses, some taking the greatest honours the Dominion could confer. Locanda Dillon, Great Hope, Acron, Taurekareka, Daphne -do Oro and Wrackler won both Derbies in their respective years, and it will be interesting to see if Purser, who has one leg in for the 1929 classic double, will be equal to having liis name added to the dual victor’s list.

Taurekareka, 3.29, registered in 1923, holds the time record l’or the Epsom classic. He also held that honour in the Southern Derby, with 3.22 4-5, until Purser recently sent it west with a remarkable run of 3.22 1-5 this year. Nelson Derby, who won the heat in 1920, returned to Alexandra Park five years later and won the Auckland Cup. Great Hope, who collected lli© royal sash in 1921. two seasons afterward scored a great victory in the New Zealand Cup. Acron, who was successful in 1922, startled New Zealand light-har-ness enthusiasts in 1924 by reeling off a mile in the Free-for-All in 2.3 3-5, a record that has not yet been broken. In 1926 Great Peter, full brother to

Great Bingen and Peter Bingen, gave J.#\ Paul his chance to drive a classic winner, and ho followed this success up by scoring the same season in the Champion Stakes —which proved the last race lor this three-year-old test. The Mangere trainer has a sturdy representative in this year’s contest, in Great Parrish, a hall-brother to Great Peter, and he will be a jagged thorn in the sides ol his rivals tomorrow. Seven Form Youngsters

Of the starters in this year’s classic, no fewer than seven youngsters have won races. Great Parrish (3.25 4-5) with four successes heads the list, all victories being achieved on the grass. Purser (2.22 1 —5), Grand Canyon (3.44) and First Flight (2.52 2-5 for 11 miles) have each scored twice, and Royal Silk (3 22 2-5), Ngingo Ngingo (3.22 3-5) and Lydia (3.43 3-5) have made a salutation to the judge. Ngingo Ngingo won as a two-year-old. but put up his best time when finishing third in the recent New Zealand Derby. While some of the others who have not yet earned prize-money may be capable of springing a surprise, it is hardly likely m such a field, but with the seven mentioned there is material of the highest calibre to assure a wonderful contest. While giving credit to Grand Canyon, First Flight and Lydia for their displays, it is not detracting from their prowess to eliminate them from the final possibles, in view of the great performance of the four placed juveniles in the recent Addington classic. It looks as if this quartet will again fight out the issue stubbornly and S al “ lantlv and anv one of the big four might supply the winner. Great Parrish, who will be quite at home at Alexandra Park will have a good deal in his favour, and the grass track will suit ’him admirably. Auckland admirers of the Mangere-owned and trained colt will look to him to redeem his lost laurels at Christchurch, but in Purser. P.oval Silk and Ngingo Ngingo he will meet foemen worthy of the steel. The classic tomorrow should provide the most interesting and thrilling contest ever witnessed among the Dominion s high-class youngsters, and “Abaydos trusts it will be a real merit test—and that the best horse will prove successful. .