TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1939, Page 11

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE The Caulfield Cup Draws Rapidly Near AUSTRALIAN SCRIBE HAS FEARS ABOUT FEARLESS TOO MUCH RELIANCE ON HIS FORM IN THE METROPOLITAN (BY '-CARBINE.”) “The doubt in my mind regarding Fearless in the Caulfield Cup is that we may be placing too much reliance on his form in the •Metropolitan,” writes “Ascot” in the “Sporting Globe” (Melbourne). I admit that in nine cases out of ten the Metropolitan is a good guide to the Caulfield Cup, but the question arises: Was the race this year a real test, run as it was at such a slow pace? “Without stopping to think, punters wanted to back Fearless for the Caulfield Cup after he had run second to Feminist and bookmakers refused to lay them a quarter of the odds that were available . the day before.

“Fearless jumped up to favouritism for the Caulfield Cup on one run, for his best performance before this was to win a mile and a quarter handicap at Randwick in June with 8.5 from a very weak field. The mile and five furlongs of the Metropolitan took 2.48:;. The race record is 2.42:; and the Randwick record 2.42?,. “This means that the race was run at a muddling pace. For the first six furlongs the 16 runners were pulling double. Buzalong, who does not usually lead, was in front and Fearless followed him to the straight entrance, taking the lead from him shortly afterwards, to be easily run down by Feminist. “For all I know, Fearless may be a one-pace horse. I have seen him only once but, looking through his form, which is hardly a recommendation for a Caulfield Cup horse, I find that in most of his races he has never been near the front, and he has always failed to finish on. If that is the best he can do when the pace is on, Fearless is not a genuine Caulfield Cup favourite. He must be able to produce that extra bit of speed and dash from the home turn if he is to win this race. “I realise that Fearless has been very leniently treated in the Caulfield Cup with 6.12, seeing that he carried 7.10 in the Metropolitan. The pull he has in the weights will be a lot in his favour. Still he is no better off than Rivette, who has 6.13 and whose form is better —to my way of thinking. If yow have a hunch that Fearless will win the Caulfield Cup this may fortify you: Buzalong ran second in the Metropolitan and then won the Caulfield Cup. His only other cup success was the Grafton Cup. Fearless has won the Grafton Cup and run second in the Metropolitan. Will he follow in Buzalong's footsteps?”