RACING IN AUSTRALIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 October 1938, Page 9

RACING IN AUSTRALIA

V.R.C. MEETING NUFFIELD SCORES IN DERBY. ANOTHER WIN FOR AJAX. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. MELBOURNE, October 30. The weather was warm and sultry for the opening of the V.R.C. meeting and there was an excellent attendance. Early Bird, trained by the former New Zealander, J. T. Jamieson, had an easy win in the Wakeful Stakes. Talkalot finished well and Lady Montague had every show. Early Bird cost his present owner 2300gns at Mr Alan Cooper’s dispersal sale. Aurania, owned and trained by Phar Lap’s mentor, H. Telford, finished brilliantly to win the Maribyrnong Plate. He was bred by his owner. Aspire ran a good race and was beaten in the last few strides. Zonda made a fair effort, but Merry Smile tired. Beaucaire and Beaumari were never dangerous. His owner refused a big offer for Aurania after his Moonee Valley race last week, when he ran second to Esperanto. Ajax had little difficulty to win the MacKinnon Stakes. This was his twelfth successive win and his full record is 19 wins and three seconds from 22 starts. His stake earnings total £23,075. Royal Chief made a game effort but made little impression on the winner in the final stages, though he ran a good cup trial. Silenus created a surprise in securing third place. Nuffield made a perfect run in the Derby and never left the rails. He went all out to beat Tempest, who experienced his first defeat in the last nine starts. Adios was a moderate third. Kingdom finished fairly, but Netherlea was outclassed. Nuffield’s owner, Mr C. B. Kellow, the trainer, J. Holt, and the jockey, D. Munro, won the Derby previously with Hall Mark. Nuffield’s record for 12 starts is eight wins, one second and one third and his total stake earnings are £17,000. Opinions are divided concerning. the merit of Nuffield’s win as regards the cup. St Constant finished brilliantly in the Cantala Stakes. He has been given an extra 91b for the Melbourne Cup. Judean had every show. Mohican finished strongly. Amigo made a fair effort. Gold Rod proved a big disappointment and was last. Spear Chief beat the fast-finishing L’Aiglon in the Hotham Handicap. Catalogue, with a good effort, was a close third. L’Aiglon has now enhanced his Melbourne Cup prospects. Queen of Song again disappointed. Results: — Wakeful Stakes, for three-year-old fillies, lm: Early Bird, 9.0 (E. Bartie) 1; Talkalot, 9.0 (F. Shean) 2; Lady Montague, 9.0 (J. O’Brien) 3. Fifteen started. Two lengths and a half; one length and a half. Ronolive was fourth. Time, 1.38. Maribyrnong Plate, for two-year-olds, sf: Aurania, 8.5 (E. Preston) 1; Aspire, 8.5 (F. Dempsey) 2; Zonda, $.7 (A. Breasley) 3. Twenty started. Half a neck; neck. Merry Smile was fourth. Time, 1.1. L. K. S. MacKinnon Stakes, w.f.a., l-]m: Ajax, 9.0 (H. Badger) 1; Royal Chief, 9.0 (E. Bartie) 2; Silenus, 9.0 (H. Skidmore) 3. Six started. Two lengths and a half; one length and a half. Marauder was fourth. Time, 2.5|. -Victoria Derby, l|m: Nuffield, 8.10 (D. Munro) 1; Tempest, 9.10 (R. Medhurst) 2; Adios, 8.10 (M. McCarten) 3. Nine started. Won by !]■ lengths; 2]lengths. Kingdom was fourth and Netherlea seventh. Time, 2.342. Cantala Stakes, lm: St Constant, 8.3 (W. Cook) 1; Judean, 8.0 (W. Elliot) 2; Mohican, 8.13 (D. Munro) 3. Sixteen started. One length and three-quarters; three-quarters of a length. Young Idea was fourth. Time, 1.37]. Hotham Handicap, l|m: Spear Chief, 8.12 (M. McCarten) 1; L’Aiglon, 8.6 (D. Munro) 2; Catalogue, 8.4 (F. Shean) 3. Sixteen started. Neck; same. Plectrum was fourth. Time, 2.31]. COMMENT ON DERBY. ROYAL CHIEF FAVOURED FOR MELBOURNE CUP. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. SYDNEY, October 30. The “Sunday Sun’s” Melbourne correspondent, commenting on the Victorian Derby, says Nuffield’s performance was not that of a great three-year-old. It took him too long to perform the task against mediocre colts. The jockey Munro, however, is well satisfied with Nuffield’s performances and declares he won well after getting into trouble in the straight and was going comfortably at the finish. Most turf critics plump for Royal Chief for the cup and others for St Constant, Marauder, Kingdom apd L’Aiglon. Nuffield will be examined at 2 o’clock tomorrow, when a decision will be reached as to whether he will start in the cup. Ajax was timed to run the last halfmile in the MacKinnon Stakes in 46], The last four in the Derby were covered in 473. The Melbourne Cup will start at 3.30 p.m. Nev; Zealand acceptors for the minor events are:— Railway Highweight: Top Row, Raeburn, Beaufrere and Gaylot. Yanyean Stakes: Prince Quex, Flying Chief, Amigo, Top Row and Conveyor.