FIRST CLASSIC

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1940, Page 9

FIRST CLASSIC

(By "Hurry On.")

SUCCESS OF SIR BEAU

ENRICH: BELLE CANE

The Wanganui Guineas. the first cf the season's three-year-old classic events, which was run at Awapuni on Saturday, did little more than confirm the two-year-old form of the first two horses. Sir Beau and Enrich, . The betting indicated that the public regarded Sir Beau as being a class above | his opponer»ts, and when he took charge j at the half-mile and came into the j straight in front going ver.v smoothly his j supporters were on good terms with ( themselves, Shortly afterwards they had | a rare fright as Enrich, vigorously han- | dled by Atkins, drew up to Sir Beau a furlong from hpme and might have ac- [ tually headed him. B. H. Morris on the | favourite then drew the whip and Sir Beau started to draw away, and he was ( three parts of a length in front when , the judge was reached. Nevertheless Sir Beau's performance did not leave the impression that he is quite the outstanding three-year-old that many expected him to be, He was all out to beat Enrich at the end' and the next meeting of the pair will create a good deal of interest. A pleasing feature was Sir Beau's gameness. There was no flinching when Morris drew the whip on him and he responded like a good colt. He is a free mover and it is possible that he was not suited by the holding track ^ on Saturday. The race is likely to have improved him. but he'may not be quite such a hot favourite at Avondale next week. Eiirlch's Effort. After the strong mantner in which Enrich was running on at the finish of the open 3print on the first day there were many who expected him to put up a good effort in the Guineas, and they were not disappointed. He ha s developed nicely during his spell and is a fine looking three-year-old. Nevertheless it is possible that the race on Saturday was run to suit him. He is not a particularly good beginner and the slow pace early enabled him to take up a handy position on Sir Beau's quarters racing into the back. Atkins saved him for that final rush in the straight and might ^ have moved just too soon. Nevertheless it was a promising effort and Enrich appears likely to be among the seasons best | three-year-olds. It is in his favour that he can handle a holding track. Support for Maiden. A surprising amount of support came for the maiden Rich Blood as last season he did not even run into a place in his seven starts. When the totalisator closed he was carrying only £15 less than the amount invested on Enrich. Entering the straight he was bowling along in smooth fashion just behind Sir Beau and Enrich, but when that' pair settled down to fight their finish they drew away from Rich Blood. Rich Blood left the impression that he may stay on and the slow pace in the .eatly stages may not have been in his favour. He is a fine bi'c colt bv Hunting Song from Gazi. and thus a fuil brother to Sly Fox, and like Sly Fox is owned and trained by A. W. Mclntosh at Gisborne. Outclassed. The other two starters, Courtlng and Uvedale, were out of their class. Courting is a nice cut of a filly who is not quite ready as yet. She may win races later on. Uvedaie does not appear to be. fulfilling her two-year-old promise. She failed at New Plymouth, and even though she led the Guineas field for half a mile it was at a slow pace. Prornlsing Fllly. Though she was not in the Guineas Belle Cane. who won the first division of the maiden on Thursday. created a big impression. A fine, well-built filly by Beau Rere, Belle Cane made her opponents look moderate. She soon hit the front and over the final stages ran right away from the opposition, running the six furlongs in fast time. At no stage of the journey did she .appear to be extended, and she should not be long in winning her way out of hacks. She comes from the same family as Admiral Drake and Francis Drake. Like Sir Beau she is trained by W. H. Dwyer at nganuiBJack Robe's Showing. Black Robe, a promising two-year-old of last season. made her reappearance in the open sprint on Saturday when she finished a good second to Mittie. She began smartly and, after trailing the pacemaker Gold Chase mto the straight, shot to the front at the distance. A furlong from the post she appeared to have the race won, but the well-seasoned Mittie finished just too well to beat her by half a length. The race was run at a fast clip and Black Robe weakened at the finish. Nevertheless it was a promising effort for the first race of the season, and more is likely to be heard of Black Robe.