1937-06-21 — Page 18

.Page.18

THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 21, 1937.

:

KING'S WARDEN'S BRILLIANT FEAT

Mr. Black Well On Way To Second Championship STRATHROY IN CLASS OF ITS OWN.

GORDITO AND HAPPY EVE 1937 CHAMPIONS

(By "Rapier ")

WITH the completion of the Sixth Extra Race Meeting a fort-

night ago last Saturday, local racing was brought to a success- ful conclusion for the first half of the season, although the last day was unfortunately marred by inclement weather. As com- pared with the similar period of the proceeding year, practically every day of which was spoilt by rain, it will be admitted that, with the exception of only two days, the weather has been most favourable this season.

Mr. Dynasty's King's Warden (Mr. F. Marshall) being led in after its win over Wild Life in the Hong Kong Champions. ("Mail" photo).

Before reviewing the activities up to and including the Sixth. Extra Race Meeting, I should like, on behalf of my readers, to express a word of appreciation to the officials of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for their untiring efforts in promoting the interests of racing in this Colony. They spared no effort in catering to the requirements of the local racing public, and everything that was necessary for their comfort was done without any hesitation. Fur- Mr. Li Lan-sang, who is only one win It will be recalled that during train- thermore, I submit that the Official Starter, Mr. Alec Potts, deserves less behind. The Lan stable has about ing for the Annual Meeting, Happy to be commended for his work in starting the races, and there is the biggest string of ponies in train- Eve was kept in the background, the no denying the fact that he accomplished his task with credit to ing, and the successes achieved have Eve stable making it known that Havoc

been fully deserved. himself. The Official Handicapper, also, is worthy of a word of Mr. Eu Tong-sen comes next, follow- Derby. However, there is no doubt appreciation, and no greater testimony to his work could be paid ed by the Eve stable, and then Mrs. that Happy Eve is the best among this than that the majority of the races finished with the narrowest of L. Dunbar, whose wins have come most-year's griffins, and its further appear- ly from Bear Claw, the pony that fail-ances at Extra Meetings will be looked margin separating the winners.

ed in the Derby last year but ultimate-forward to with interest.

By the time the first race was due to start, rain had fallen to such an extent that heavy going was only to be expected, but the racing on the whole was fairly fast. Five ponies faced the starter in the Shing Mun Handi- cap, and, in spite of the fact that Soldier of Britain had to carry 168 lbs. on a heavy track, it was made slightly favourite over Oak Bay.

Although he failed to score а single win at the last Meeting, Mr. Don. Black, the champion jockey of 1936, is still in the lead' with 17 thirds, winners, 7 seconds and 7

on

Mr. D. Black, the' champion jockey of 1936, has a big advantage in the 1937 list.

Eve was their nomination for the

ly made rapid strides to come to the Much was expected from Expansion forefront among the China ponies.

Time after its win in the Maiden The Dynasty stable is occupying a Stakes and its second place in the position unusually low, with only six Derby, but since then it has failed tỏ wins, and they were brought about win another race. It was strongly sup- mainly through King's Warden, the

ported in the St. George's Plate, but champion griffin at the Annual Meeting could do no better than run second to With only one pony at their disposal, Havoc Eve, which it beat in the Derby. i.e. Gordito, the combination of Messrs. I reckon that this pony is about the Lasala and Eddie Souza have every rea- next best, and am fully confident that son to be proud of their champion sub-it will win before long. seription griffin. It has won five times, Havoc Eve was the pony the racing been second twice and third once, real-public was asked to believe was going ly a remarkable achievement!

to be the Eve stable's candidate for the

Mr. J. F. Macgregor also must feel Derby, and its ability to carry off this very satisfied with his champion Aus-major honour was enhanced when it tralian pony, Strathroy, which has won won the Trial Plate. It made the every race in which it has started this running in the Derby, but Happy Eve year. I fully expect that it will con- furnished a brilliant last quarter and tinue to win many more races, for some won with time to come.

spare.

many lengths to Prior to winning the St. George's Plate, Havoc Eve was beaten by Potentate in the Canton Handicap, as a result of which the biggest win dividend of the year was paid.

and as his nearest rival, Mr. S. C.

THREE-FIGURE DIVIDENDS Liang, has 12 firsts, 5 seconds and

To Mr. W. G. Poy, a novice but fast 14 thirds, it would seem that Mr.

improving jockey, has fallen the dis- tinction of having paid out the biggest Black is well on the way again to

dividend so far: Riding Potentate at

Mr. L. Dunbar relied on Commence- repeat his last year's coveted dis-

the Second Extra, Mr. Poy managed to ment Bay to represent him in the tinction. Mr. Black has Strathroy

nose out Havoc Eve, and his win was Derby, but it was evident from the to thank for most of his wins, and

responsible for the payment of $477.10 outset that this pony had no chance Co., it is interesting to note that he is each to 10 successful backers. Amber- whatever, its training at that time there is no doubt that this speedy the next in line in the list of successful ley, ridden by Mr. Y. T. Fung, comes being not sufficiently advanced to en- animal will give him further, win-jockeys. Renowned for his hard rid-[next with a dividend of $261.20, and able it give any challenge to either ners before the end of the year. ing and last quarter rush, the presence then. comes Mr. S. C. Liang's win on Happy Eve or Havoc Eve. This turn- at future meetings Apilas, which paid $199.70. Another ed out correct when Commencement It was only a few years back that of Mr. Marshall Mr. Black was struggling to get out will make our local jockeys look harder novice jockey, Mr. S. L. Yuen, was in-Bay came in second to Havoc Eve in of the Novice: Class, but now we can to their laurels. Messrs. H. C. Pih, B. strumental in $191.90 being paid for a the Trial Plate, and although it has compare him very favourably with the A. Proulx, N. Deitz and W. H. S. Davis win on King's Justice.

since won two races, I think it was in best that Shanghai can provide.

come next in the order named.

DAILY DOUBLE RECORD

its best form when it won the Green ONE REGRETTABLE FEATURE After the Annual Meeting, Mr. L.

The payment of the colossal sum of Island Handicap, the last race of the G. Frost, who is still second in the ing the jockeys, I would like to re-paid out to one person who succeeded

Before concluding my notes regard- $3,964.40 constituted a record; this was Fifth Extra.

Mr. Eu Tong-sen has two new grif- list, did not taken further part in iterate my expression of sympathy to in nominating King's Justice and Wild fins, i.e. Potentate and Rob Roy, both racing on being transferred to Can-all concerned over the untimely pass-Cat. The previous best was $3,320.00, of which have done remarkably well, ton. His genial presence the ing of Mr. S. Y. Liang, whose death which was paid out on Flying Tourist having won races and been placed on

followed after he was thrown from and Golden Dragón.

several occasions. Potentate is, of track has been badly missed, and in Tabby Cat. There have been accidents

RACING RECORDS

course, the better of the two, especial- expressing the hope that we shall before, but there has certainly not been Among the records that were lowered ly in view of its grand victory over compare with the irreparable during the first half, the one achieved Havoc Eve, when Mr. W. G. Poy gave one day, in the near future have the one pleasure of seeing him riding again, loss which local racing sustained in his by King's Warden was undoubtedly the a sterling performance in the saddle. demise. Much has been written about best. Ridden by Mr. S. C. Liang, and Under the capable handling of Mr. I feel sure this wish will find a his sterling qualities, and fitting tri-carrying the heavy burden of 168 lbs., Benny Proulx, Rob Roy won the Cus- ready echo among

butes have been paid to him numerous

ait clipped, no less than three-fifths of toms Handicap at the Fifth Extra Race sportsman, but there is one thing which a second off the record previously held Meeting. seems to be missing, and that is the by Apollo over the six furlongs dis-

During the training prior to the An- MR. LIANG'S TRIUMPH

erection of a suitable memorial. Some-tance.”.

nual Meeting, Apilas and Vira, the two Mr. S. C. Liang comes next, as in- thing simple would suffice, to be placed Strathroy also lowered the record ponies owned by the Siamese Trade dicated above, and here again we have in a prominent position in the Jockey which Electron held for a short period Commissioner, created very favourable a jockey who has had considerable ex- Club as a tribute to his memory. I over the two mile post distance. Car-impressions by their movements, and perience in riding, and to him has fallen throw out this suggestion for what it is rying 165 lbs., Strathroy completed the although they failed to win anything the distinction of breaking the record worth, fully believing that a ready res-distance in 1'55 3/5, as against 1 56 at that time, they certainly did well over the six furlongs distance. It will ponse would be forthcoming once the 4/5 done by Electron.

at later Meetings. Apilas is the bet- be recalled that, ridden by Mr. Liang, idea is carried further.

NEW GRIFFINS

ter of the two for longer distances, King's Warden, carrying 168 lbs.,

By virtue of its easy win in the Vira not appearing to have stamina. smashed the record previously held by

In spite of the fact that Mr. L. Dun- Hong Kong Derby, Happy Eve must be

The other griffins of note are Centre Apollo by three-fifths of a • second. bar was unable to avail himself of cer- regarded as the outstanding griffin of Forward and Scenic View, both with Normally, Mr. F. B. Marshall would not tain wins by Liberty Bay, he has the this season, but since then it has made wins to their credit, while King's come into discussion in this review, but honour of heading the list of most only one appearance, and that was in Coronation also won a race at the An- as he has recently been transferred to successful winners, having 10 firsts, six the race when it was just beaten by nual Meeting but which has since then Hong Kong, having now established seconds and four thirds to his credit. Bear Claw in one of the finest finishes done nothing whatever. himself with the firm of Harriman & He is closely followed, however, by seen on the local track for a long time.

(Continued on Page 19)

¿

supporters.

his

:

to

AMONG THE OWNERS

as.