Supposed Invincible Overthrown, Daily Racing Form, 1916-07-29

article


view raw text

SUPPOSED INVINCIBLE OVERTHROWN. Over in England the. racing of Sir W. J. Talemc Bachelors Double Dark Dinah colt had been of such a character as to create the general belief that another marye! ol a two-year-old had been dis covered. Without being named, he ran second to Publican in his first start. Then in succession lie won the Newmarket Two-Year-Old Plate, Spring Two-Year-Old Stakes and Ditch Two-Year-Old Stakes in a way that greatly impressed experienced observers. After this last race one of the leading turf newspapers suggested that it was about time to give the colt a name. The racing public responded at once and thousands of names from good to ridiculous flowed into the newspapers. None of them was adopted. On the first day of the Newmarket First July meeting the colt added further to his laurel when lie won the valuable July Stakes from Lord Derbys fast Swynford Marchetta filly. Taganior, ami three more tried good ones. This was 011 July 4, and his owner then announced that his star had been named Grand Fleet, in commemoration of the fact that it had won a race 011 the same day that tiie British fleet had beaten the German fleet off the coast of Jutland. Two days after winning the July Stakes he was started in the Exeter Stakes, running in his newly bestowed name for the first time, and with such disastrous result that Loudon Sporting Life was moved to say editorially about the race: "By far the best-class racing of the week was associated witii the third days program of the First July Meeting, but there was rather an unwelcome jar in the shape of the defeat of the leading juvenile, the Dark Dinah colt, henceforth to lie known as Grand Fleet. It may have been a mistake to ask the youngster to race again so soon after his effort 011 Tuesday, especially as the distance yesterday was three-quarters, and he was required to make considerable concessions in weight to several opponents capable of galloping to some purpose. Sir William Tatems colt, nevertheless, was supported as though the race was a certainty for him, with the game Sibyl Gray second in demand. Grand Fleet was saddled in the Plantation, where, naturally, the process was watched by a lot of his admirers. In this respect, however. Brigadier General, in consequence of more than a hint that he would lie dangerous, was not far behind, and quite a crowd watched Linton putting him to right close to the parade ring. "The defeat of the favorite was brought about in no uncertain fashion, as not only did ICnuts-ford and Athdara finish five and three lengths respectively in front of him. but lie had all his work cut out to keep Brigadier General out of third place. One could easily make out that his jockey was uneasy after a half mile had been covered, but though hoping for the best, the threatened trouble developed into a real one. Time may show, oT course, that the task of giving S pounds each to Knutsford and Athdara was one impossible of accomplishment, as the former was clearly unlucky when narrowly beaten at Newbury, while the other had won his only previous race easily. It will be wise, however, to see the fallen favorite run again before accept- yesterdays result as the true measure of his Iing ability, and I for one am confident that we shall see him reassert himslf in due course."


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1916072901/drf1916072901_8_1
Local Identifier: drf1916072901_8_1
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800