THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 1, 1940
RACING CARNIVAL OF RECORDS AND THRILLS Satinlight's Dramatic Derby Triumph
MOLLER FAMILY JUST FAIL IN ATTEMPT AT COMPLETE SWEEP
(By "RAPIER”)
THE 1940 RACING CARNIVAL will go down in the annals of local racing as being outstanding for one feature, and that was the exceptionally high standard of racing which prevailed throughout the five days of the meeting In this respect the new China ponies, Griffins of this sea- son, and the new lot of Australian ponies were most prominent, and, assisted by the dry state of the track, it was not surprising that one record after another was lowered.
was re-
the advantage of being on the rails, and, in my opinion, this sponsible for its ultimate victory, as satinlight gained a slight lead on the bend into the home straight. jockeys applied the whip, and, amidst tremendous excitement,
Com
ing down the home stretch both
could have been improved on had it been seriously challenged. It then went on to win the Rooty-Hill Derby. again in record time, beating Gypsy Love's record of 2-43 3/5 by 1 4/5 secs. This race was contested at a. rattling fast pace, and the Anish was fought out between Far View and Sapper, the latter ridden by Mr. Encarnacao. There was, however, no doubt that Far View was the better pony, and it proved itself so when it off the Australian Ponies carried
Champions last Saturday. The time returned was only 1/5 sec, behind Strathroy's record.
In the first section of the Sydney these two Maldens, there was quite an interest- ponies gave of their best in a really ing duel between Australian Diamond epic struggle.
Just when it was seen that
a
(Mr. (Mr. Tao) and Melody Star Bur-Proulx). The latter got flying Satin- start, and at one time it was leading ford was about to overhaul light, the latter responded most by many lengths, but by dint of hard gamely to its rider's call, and try as riding Mr., Tao just managed to get However, I feel
not; indeed unique.
any his mount in sure that
In nine outings, he Mr. Pih did he could not get
front on passing the had to winning post. The second section of many, followers of the turf were pre- won seven times, was second once more out of Burford and
Mr. Donald Black admit defeat, although by only half this race was won by Sapper, which pared for the easy manner in which and third once.
riders for comes next with six winners, Avea length. Ponies and
had the better of Contact after a late new records were created, and
bettered at seconds and six thirds. The others thoroughly exhausted, and all the new times to be
challenge. future meetings it will require animals in order of merit are:-Messrs. H. very warmly cheered on being led in. IC. Pih, H. J. A. Hearne, P. The time returned for this distance of much superior quality, which rather doubt. as far as China ponies Y. T. Wel, L. B. Chao, C. Encarnacao, was 2.50 4/5, lowering Rose Elect's
V. V. Needa, G. P. Gram, record by no less than 4 3/5 secs. are concerned.
a truly remarkable achievement.
-
On the whole, it has been a most C. Liang and F. Marshall. successful meeting, one which
manner
will
many
it
another
Burford, Champion Of Champions
S.
were were
Contact, ridden by Mr. Davis, made no mistake about winning the first
Plate, beating' section of the Perth Ascot Day, but the second section of this event provided a thrilling finish, On the following day, Burford, in in which Amicus Curiae (Mr. Gram) order to qualify for the Champions, and Lucky Lady (Mr. Hearne) were long be remembered för the
won the Racing Stakes in the record involved. The latter would probably thrilling finishes which spectators had
time of 1-51 2/5, bettering Confusion have won had not Mr. Hearne had the pleasure of witnessing, while
his face cut by kite string, lying will be a long time before
By virtue of its win in the Cham- Bay's time by 2 3/5 secs.
Mount Hope Bay won the Grand across the track. The result was a Derby is contested in such dramatic pions, Burford must be regarded as
the Hopeful dead-heat. classic, as the 1940
The being the best
this Stand Stakes, and in pony among
14 miles, Racylight Another great finish was seen in owners of Satinlight and Burford, year's lot of China ponies, and al- Stakes, over winner and runner-up respectively, though it was defeated by Satinlight (Mr. Moller) and Gretber (Mr. Gram) the Albury Stakes, in which Flying the provided another thrilling finish, Just Dutchman and Sparrow provided deserve congratulations on having sein the Derby, I am inclined to cured such outstanding ponies. view that it is a slightly superior when it seemed as if Racylight was another dead-heat. Melody Star in carrying off activities in In reviewing
con animal. However, it must be re- going to win, Grether shot its head found no difficulty
the second section, and then in the nection with the Annual Meeting just membered that' the considerably forward and snatched a dead-heat.
Blue Mountains Plate, ridden by Mr. completed, I do not propose to deal cooler.
on for racing
Burford Wins The Needa, snatched a great win from different with each race, but to touch on only Champions Day were very
Vanity Fair. Champions the highlights. In the first place, I from the day on which the Derby think it will be admitted that
was run. On both occasions it was jockeyship that won the race. crowd which turned out on day must have constituted a and on the last day there veritable invasion by kiddies, though I gather that this may be the last occasion on which they will be al- lowed admission due to the grave danger of injury by pontes being led In and in the crowds that throng the cash sweep and parimutuel booths.
the
Derby record, was
conditions
won
With the light falling
fast on
Old China Ponies
In the Amoy Handicap, over six furlongs, Mr. Marshall rode a grand race to win on Eve of Heaven, beating Humdrum Eve and Lilliber, the latter boring out at the critical stage of the race.
On the first day, in the very first race, In races confined to the new China Wednesday afternoon, the track ap- Mr. Moller riding Navylight in the Chal
Con- lenge Cup provided an upset. Navylight aponies, the Cire stable achieved out-peared somewhat damp when
fusion Bay (Mr. Black), Burford proved itself more powerful, and its win, Spicylight standing successes. the Maiden Stakes in effortless man- (Mr. Pih) and Satinlight (Mr. Moller) by beating Confusion Bay, was Instrumen the tat in this cup being won outright by the the record for six went out to face the starter in
Cire stable. However, in the Foochow Cup, ner, lowering
On the rise of Confusion Bay reversed the result. furlongs by one second. Rose Elect Champion Stakes. did the time last year in 1-23 4/5, but the barrier Mr. Moller sent his mount This forward to take the lead, probably Spicylight clocked 1-22-4/5. record was later smashed by Mount hoping that by hugging the rails he The first three days of racing was Hope Bay in the Grand Stand Stakes, was going to repeat his strategy in favoured by ideal weather conditions, the new time and record being 1-21 the Derby. This time he found that Mr. Plh had learned a lesson, and, but it was not so on the fourth day-2/5.
after passing the football stands, Mr. Champions Day-when light
Meeting with practically no op-
Plh urged Burford on, and without fell throughout the afternoon, causing position, Satinlight won the
snatched the a good deal of inconvenience and, Plate, and then Racylight, another any effort the pony
Old Australian Ponies incidentally, some upsets. Last Satur- Moller candidate, won the Lusitano lead from Satinlight. Coming into
Since acquired by Mrs. Taggart, Lanca- day was really a fine day for racing, Cup, breaking the record for the dis- the straight, Burford was still-lead-
post. The ing, and this time it was up to Mr.shire Chips has invariably done well, and although it was inclined to be some-tance from the 12-mile
Moller to make the challenge. But in the Bendigo Handicap, over six furlongs, what warm.
time returned. was 1-04 3/5,
vincing victory. 小 removing the name of Desert Chief his effort was of no avail, as Bur-this pony gave its lady owner a most con- ford was running far too strongly, and from the records.
it went on to win in the record time of 2.20 1/5, beating Silkylight's re- cord by 1 1/5 secs.
Mr. Eric Moller Leading Owner
rain
ponies, Competing with only five Mr. Eric Moller Sr. heads the list of most successful owners with .seven firsts, one second and two thirds. He had the satisfaction of winning the Blue Riband with Satinlight, repeat ing his previous success in 1938, when Silkylight gave him his first Họng Kong Derby triumph.
Trial
thus
a
National Pride provided Mr. H. M. Botelho with a nice win in the first section of the Soochow Handicap, as a result of which he graduated from the novice class. This win also paid a three-figure dividend.
Baffin Bay won the Coral Handicap (1 miles), but in the Melbourne Cup, over the same, distance, it had to admit defeat at the hands of Lucky Lad (Mr. Needa). 'It then surprised everyone by holding Far view to a short head in the Australian Ponies Champions.
Most Thrilling Derby In Years
Mount Hope Bay failed to come up Interest in this race, was at fever to expectations, but Crigavad is
In the Canbelego_Handicap for "B" Class pitch when the ponies were led out pony to be reckoned with at future
surprise, to take part in what later developed meetings. After coming in third in Australian ponies, Murrumbidgee, ridden by beating A Roaring Time after taking the into a titanic struggle between Satin- the Derby, this pony won the Griffins Mr. Black, sprung a neat little
188 lbs.
lead before rounding the bend and winning light and Burford. Anticipations of a Spring Handicap, carrying thrilling finish were fully justified, in the remarkably fast time of 1.52 as it liked. and spectators were held spellbound 4/5, which is very near the record The Lan stable. came second, with when these two ponies battled neck for the mile distance. four winners, two seconds, and one and neck down the home straight. third. Mr. Li Lan Sang is indeed On the rise of the barrier, Spicy- fortunate to be the owner of Farlight (ridden by Mr. Judah) shot for- View, the outstanding Australian ward, followed by Mount Hope Bay pony, which alone produced three (Mr. Hearne). Then
Far View Best Of New Australians
For the first time the Ladies Purse was contested by Australian pontes and after a great finish the race resulted in Ajax (Mr. S. C. Liang) winning unexpectedly by a short head from Happy Landings,
After several disappointments, Courting Eve evidently, relished running on a muddy track, and on the fourth day it won the Adelaide Handicap over the mile, beating Chiltern and Tornado, Star,
Old Subscription Griffins
came Satin- Judged by its track work prior to Annual wins. Mr. L. Dunbar takes third light (Mr. R. B. Moller), with But the commencement of the place, followed by Quartermaster, ford just behind. The first two ponies Meeting, Far View (owned by the owner of Burford, Lucky, Mrs. Teg- set a rattling fast pace, and the post-Lan Stable) was expected to come out gart, Eve and Marber 1.
tions were unchanged when passing on top as being the best among this the winning post for the first time. year's lot of Australian pontes, This Before going up the incline, however, estimation was fully justified, as For Mr. Moller sent Satinlight forward View won the triple crown. Its win to assume command, but Mr. Pih in the third section of the Sydney was not to be deceived and, with a Maldens was achieved with practical- it was little urge, Burford: was soon along➡ly no effort, and the record for therizon. Cup, beating Celtic Star and Rote six furlongs distance, previously held Class: ponies. This Time (Mig Wellared side of Sutinlight.
After passing the Rock, the battle by Courting Eve, was equalled. Far a surprise win by beating Night VILLAM
(Continued on Pago really started, with Satinlight having. View's time was 1-16 -2/5, which
Mr. “Boojle" Moller Leading Jockey
of
With his father taking pride place amongst the owners, only natural that Mr. R. B. "Boojle" Moller should head the list of most successful jockeys. His record. is
· Strathbannock (Mr. Black) scored a great win in the Curragh Handicap. only just beat- Ing Guinness Time (Mr. Wel), Guinness Time, however, retaliated: by winning the noyal Navy Cup, but on this occasion Strath bannock was carrying 171 lbs. Musketeer (Mr. Lang) romped home to win the Gar Evelyn. In the Chefop Haridloan fox, NOT
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