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, . ; i ; ; , j . , j , , " • r I I 1 [ I ; - I r 1 5 I I I 5 .J j t l " j 1 ■ ? s • A ■ I EXPERT ESTIMATE OF POMMEHNS CLASS. There has naturally been a go.Kl deal of discussion as to whether Pommern is entitled to take rank as a high-class Derby winner, and I think it will be generally agreed that the outcome of such discussion has been entirely favorable to Mr. Sol Joels colt. Not since 1!M 3. when Rock Sand won what is usually described as the "triple crown" lias any horse succeeded in carrying off the three principal clas-jo events until this year, and if it be contended that there is a great difference tie-tween winning the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket, the Derby at Epsom, and the St. I.eger at Dom-aster. and a similar achievement over practically the same ground every time, it seems to me that the difference serves to emphasize suiieriority rather than to discount it. It requires, .if course, versatility in an excep- tiiial fcgm to enable a horse to succeed in the regular series of classic contests. At Epsom, for iiistam-e. adaptability is es|iecially requisite, it being necessary f..r a horse to be equally at home up and down hill and to be capable of handiness where turns have lo lie- taken. At tbe same time KM element of luck enters so largely into the contest that it is a mere truism to state that the undoubtedly best horse has lieen balked, or shut in. or interfered with iu some way. and thereby .prevented from shewing his true ability. A recent example in point was afforded when Sir Martin fell while making lue des.cn t round Tattcul.am Corner. and there are. I imagine, few people who are irrepared to argue that Mr. Louis Winans unlucky colt was not thereby roblied either of victory oiit- right «.r place honors. The fact, therefore, that this years classic races — the first one the real Two Thousand Cuineas. and tlie others s-.ibstitutes named the New Derby and Septemtier Stakes— have all been decided over the wide Newmarket tracks has enabled Pommern to prove to demonstration that he is the liest horse of his age. Had lie tn-en defeated in any one of the three ra«-es. or been in any way lucky to score, it would have been a different matter: but no series of victories could have lieen more easily achieved or more smoothly carried through. and Pommern is therefore fully entitled to his proud lMisition as one of the select group of "triplc- crown" winners. There was. furtlier. no questi-m this year of any really dangerous rival having lieen left out of tbe entries for the Derby and Sep-| tember Stakes, which closed only a few weeks be- fore their decision, and so the colt was called upon to meet the liest of his eonteiniiorarie*. The only exception that can be taken to the latter statement would apply to Redfern. which on ac-j count of the lamented death of Earl Cadogati. was sold to go abroad: but he would lie a hold man. I think, who would suggest that Redfern might have proved a thorn in the side of P.immern. The earliest performances of tlie son of Polymelus and Merry Agnes were not. by the- way. of such distinction as to suggest the likelihoid of bis de-l velO|iing merit of so high an order as he subse-I quently displayed. He was unplaced to Cood and Cay for the Besstmrough Stakes at Ascot, and to Desmond M. for the Princess Plate at Newmarket bet.. re coming out at Goodwood, where he easily accounted for Sammarco and others, including the . dds-on favorite. Follow Up. At his last appear-. ance as a two-year-old. however. Pommern gave ■ real taste of what was iu store for the future. and those who therer.iion earmarked him as a more than dangerocs rival to Friar Marcus. Redfern. Lm Fly and King Priam, have been abundantly justified of the faith that was in them. This final juvenile display of Mr. Sol Joels colt took place in the Imperial Produce Plate at Kenip- ton. in which he had three opponents, viz.. King Priam giving eight pounds!. Follow Up giving three pounds, and Snow Marten receiving ten pounds. Leading from beginning to end, lie beat King Priam with far more in hand than the dif-s ference of eight pounds in the weights implied, and those connected with tlie second frankly admitted the surprise they felt at the result. Excuses, as it happened, were afterwards made for King Priani. but, lis subsequent results have shown, the fjrin was true enough in every detail. Pommern. when not |tiite tit. failed in an attempt, as he might well do. to concede thirteen pounds to Rossendale in the Craven Stakes this year, but the improve- inent wrought in him in consequence of that race was little short of wonderful, and since then he has never looked back. P immerns future as a race horse, like the sport itself, lies in the laps of the gods, but everyone who delights in wit- nessng the performances of a good horse will fervently hope that we shall see him playing the rede of cup winner next year. — "Augur" in London Sporting Life.
