AUSTRALIAN RACING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 October 1938, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN RACING

RANDWICK MEETING. NUFFIELD'S DERBY. SYDNEY. October 2. King’s Head, an aged horse by Bullhead, who has filled many minor places in some of the best races in Australia, got his reward on Saturday when, in record time, he took the Epsom Handicap on the opening day of the Randwick Spring meeting, which was favoured with delightful weather. The Rossendale horse Bobby, who unwound a brilliant run in the straight to finish second, would undoubtedly have won if the distance had been a few more yards. Bobby’s rider, J. Duncan, said St Constant attempted to savage Bobby at the turn, grabbing the reins and retarding his mount. The very popular Nightguard, who was reported to have been kicked at the barrier, was well beaten at the straight entrance. Stretto ran a good race, but never threatened danger, nor did Mohican or Young Idea. The Derby resulted in a hollow victory for- the distinguished Victorian colt, Nuffield, who outclassed all but Aeolus. No excuse can be offered for Limulet, who finished fifth. The New Zealander Royal Chief was just too good for Avenger in the Colin Stephen Stakes. The great crowd saw a stirring finish in which Royal Chief gained the verdict by half a length.

Two horses who enhanced their prospects for Monday’s Metropolitan are Bachelor King and Perimond, both of whom showed to advantage in their races on Saturday. The attendance was 70,000, which is 10,000 more than last year. Results: — First Hurdles, about two miles. — Syntax, 11.3, 1; Asolando, 9.8, 2; Verdox, 12.2, 3. Seven started. Three lengths; two lengths. Elbanado was fourth. Time, 3.42. Trial Stakes, one mile and a quarter.—Bachelor King, 8.8, 1; Oration, 8.8, 2; Braidwood Boy, 8.8, 3. Twelve started. Two lengths and a half; half a length. Time, 2.5|. A.J.C. Derby, for three-year-old colts and fillies; one mile and a half. —Nuffield, 8.10 (D. Munro) 1; Aeolus, 8.10 (W. Cook) 2; Respirator, 8.10 (E. Bartie) 3. Also started: Petruchio 8.10, Limulet 8.10, Sir Harold 8.10. 2| lengths; three. Time, 3.32. Epsom Handicap, one mile.—King’s Head, 9.4 (Shean) 1; Bobby, 7.10 (W. Duncan) 2; St Constant, 8.3 (W. Cook) 3. All started. 1| lengths; half a neck. Time, 1.36—a race record. The Colin Stephen Stakes, weight-for-age; one mile and a half. —Royal Chief (N.Z.), 9.0 (E. Bartie) 1; Avenger, 9.0 (D. Munro) 2; Perimond, 9.0 (Davidson) and Allunga, 9.6 (Heath) dead heat for third. In a thrilling finish, the New Zealander vanquished Avenger by half a length, with the dead-heaters a neck away third. Time, 2.34.

Kensington Handicap, seven furlongs: First Division- —Nebraska 1, Morning Gift 2, Fearless 3. Eighteen started. Head; one length and a half. Hammerhead was fourth. Time, 1.24|. Second Division. —Sedunum 1, Fakneham 2, Mildura 3. Seventeen started, including Sturdee and Moaveil. One length and a half; three-quarters of a length. Sidcup was fourth. Time, 1.23§.

EVENTS AT FLEMINGTON. MELBOURNE, October 2. At the Flemington race's on Saturday Ajax registered his ninth successive victory by winning the Melbourne Stakes, one mile, in 1.35|, which is one-quarter of a second outside the Australian and New Zealand record. Ajax covered the last half-mile in 46J. His stake winnings now total £20,925. Ena’s second was a good effort and enhanced her Caulfield Cup prospects. The New Zealand-bred Xavier caused a surprise by winning the colts’ division of the Maribyrnong Trial. Xavier is trained by the former New Zealander, George Jones. Aranui was unplaced in the same event. Queen of Song ran a poor race in the Stand Handicap, in which Plectrum gained an unexpected win. The Trump finished fifth, running a fair race with 9.6. The principal results were:— Edward Manifold Stakes, one mile.— Lady Montague 1; The Decoration 2; French Gem 3. Eleven started. One length and a half; half a head. Time, 1.39.

Melbourne Stakes, one mile. —Ajax 9.5 (Badger) 1; Ena, 9.0 (Morris) 2; Aitchengee, 8.12 (Elliot) 3. Ten started. Length; four lengths. Time, 1.35 f. Stand Handicap, one mile and a quarter. —Plectrum, 7.10, 1; Temple Coyn, 8.2, 2; Footmark, 8.8, 3. Fifteen started, including Queen of Song, Half a length; a neck. Time, 2.3 j.