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NEXT YEARS EPSOM DERBY. So far no inclination has been displayed towards speculation oil the Derby a state of affairs in sharp contrast with what used to occur years ago during December. Whether Lomond or White Star will be favorite when operations do commence remains to bo seen, but each has strong claims upon the position. The numerous followers of Mr. J. B. Joels successful colors will see to it that White Star is not neglected, while the precedent set by the colts brother, Sunstar. will also exercise considerable influence. White Stars record, too, will bear some criticism, for, if exception be taken to his defeat in the Middle Park Plate by his stable companion, .Absurd, that failure could be condoned-on the ground of a slow beginning, while it was amply atoned for by a reallv stvlish victory in the Dewhurst Plate a race, which, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the supreme juvenile test, instead of the Middle Park Plate. In the Dewhurst Plate. White Star was opposed by live other youngsters, of whom the best were Lorenzo, Clygad, and Jingling Geordic, but as a test horse Mr. Buchanans wayward son of Santry may be dismissed as too unreliable to be trusted. Lorenzo, a backward own brother to the disappointing Iietri, had only run once previously, when he put up a rattling good fight with Fruition and Jaeger for the Imperial Produce Plate at Kcmpton Park. The filly, who won, received 13 pounds from Lorenzo, who in turn had 5 pounds advantage with the Clare-haven colt. The latter, by the way, ran with great gameness in the race alluded to, whatever he may have done in other contests, and as Lorenzo finished within a length of hlm they may be put down as about the same animal, with a reservation in favor of Pietris brother on account of the greenness inseparable from a first appearance. Lorenzo, doubtless, was all the better for the experience gained, and probably the future will prove that in conceding him 10 pounds and beating him by three-quarters of a length. White Star accomplished something very creditable. It is through Clygad. however, that a line to the respective merits of White Star and Lomond is ob tainable. The AVantage champion finished two and three-quarters lengths in front of him in tho Dewhurst Plate, and as he had to make a concession of 0 pounds, it is reasonable to argue that Clygad received a 14-pound beating. That amount of weight was precisely what Lomond just failed to present in the Gimcrack Stakes, owing to the pressing attentions of the Cyllene colt, which brought about his disqualification. With a clear course, Lomond would no doubt have won, but strictly on the "book," and taking into consideration the extra furlong over which White Star beat Clygad, there would appear to be little to choose between the two principal rivals for Derby honors. It must not be overlooked either that on the only occasion on which the pair met in the Woodcote Stakes, White Star finished only a couple of heads in front of the Epsom crack at level weights. That form, perhaps, is somewhat too remote to be of any value now, but it is significant nevertheless. Now let us see what possible danger presents itself amongst other Derby candidates. Lorenzo must certainly be regarded as such, for he is likely to improve greatly during the recess, and as he had a much easier first season than did his relative, Pietri, it is to be hoped that he will do greater credit as a three-year-old to the popular Rothschild colors. Then, of course, there are great possibilities in the case of Charmian, for did she not run Sweeper II. to a neck at weight for sex for the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, with Absurd, in receipt of 5 pounds, beaten into fourth place? Afterwards, too. Lord Roseberys filly proved herself capable of dispensing altogether with sex allowance from Clygad and Kempion in the Prcndergast Stakes, while she gained a really easy victory in the CrHerion Stakes. Doubtless, however, Charmians mission will Iks to win the Oaks, though if all goes well with her, it will bo diliicult to resist the temptation to allow her to attempt the greater feat of capturing the Derby. No victory would be more popular than that of the Duke of Devonshire, but it is difficult to know what to make of his Spearmint colt. Javelin. In the Exeter Stakes at Newmarket First July meeting, this youngster simply played with Clygad. but found Loin rather troublesome to shake off. That ho was up against a useful one then, however, was demonstrated by Loms subsequent easy success in the Soltykoff Stakes. Then came Javelins impressive victory under top weight in the Friary Nursery at Derby, a performance which led to odds being laid on him in a match for the mile Houghton Stakes, when his opponent was Kempion. So far from winning Javelin was very badly beaten, but the form was really too bad to be correct, and so this race had better be entirely dismissed from calculations. If, on the other hand, it was approximately correct, goodbye to Javelins Derby chance, for Kempion is engaged in the great Epsom event, as also, by the way, is Lorn, his Exeter Shakes opponent. Jingling Geordie I have already alluded to as a most unreliable sort a description which I heartily hope the colt will live down in future for his popular owners sake. Mirabcau and Pintadeau, though useful enough in their own class, are not destined, I am afraid, to earn high honors In the Royal livery. St. Neots, too, does not look like giving Lord Lonsdale a place amongst the owuers of Derby winners, and there only remains tho American-bred Sweeper II. to consider. Mr. Duryeas youngster commenced his career by beating Jaeger, Corncob, and others for one of the triennial events at Ascot, in which he appeared to bo a big handful for his jockey. The impression that he needed powerful handling was borne out when he almost took charge of his pilot in the race for the July Stakes at headquarters. In this, but for swerving, Sweeper II., must have finished much closer than he did to White Star and Melody. Stern managed to get him home a neck in front of Charmian at Goodwood, as mentioned above, and then came his Middle Park Plate second to Absurd, when White Star was third. For reasons already explained, it will be better to ignore the result of that race. Clearly Sweeper II. is entitled to respect, and if a really strong rider can be found for him on Derby day it will be no walk-over for either White Star or Lomond. "Augur," in Sporting Life.
