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DONCASTER ST. LEGER CANDIDATES Buchan Held to Be Hard to Vanquish in the Coming Renewal of the Great Autumn Race. The last of the five classics of racing the Dim-caster St. Leger will be run at its traditional home on the town moor at Doncaster September 10. That Is not a far away date. Under the circumstances it is quite natural that the relative chances of the probable starters should be under close scrutiny, and concerning these "Vigilant" in London Sportsman says: "Although the St. Leger is due for decision on September 10, one seldom hears the race mentioned, a state of apathy which I attribute largely to the moderate quality of our three-year-olds. Grand Parade, as winner of the Derby, stands out conspicuous, but unfortunately he retired under the minor forfeit, which suggests that not much was thought of him in his early days, and although he won the blue riband, it does not follow that he is the best of his ago. The colt may be on view again in the Doncaster Stakes, for which he has incurred the extreme penalty, but a greater test may come In the Champion Stakes, which is void of extras or allowances, and hero he can be opposed by Galloper Light, Buchan, The Panther, Polygnotus, African Star, Stefan the Great and Perion of his own age, while the best of seniors engaged appear to be Prince Chimny, Air Raid, Callander, Zinovia and By Jingo, Gainsborough having disappeared, while Danscllon is debarred by the condition in his purchase by Mr. Galstaun for 0,500, which prohibits him from running the horse again in England. Galloper Light cannot run for the St. Leger, and Lord Basil has been struck out of all engagements, from which one infers that something has gone wrong with the son af Bayardo. M ANTONS HOPE. "Buchan, however, can do duty, and seems, to hold a first-class chance of winning. M.iny hold that the colt was unlucky not to win the Derby, but as the race was run I doubt If he could have beaten Grand Parade in any circumstances, and probably the most unfortunate, animal in the. field was Dominion. Since then Buchan has made handsome amends for that failure by winning the Princess of Wales Stakes and the Eclipse Stakes, but it was no great achievement to beat Leandros and Cattegat in the former event, and the opposition was weak at Sandown seeing that Cygnns, Splendid Spur and Gay Lord were his nearest opponents, and although he won comfortably the performance did not materially enhance his reputation. If on the small side he is a colt of beautiful symmetry and quality, and can always be relied on to give his running; In fact, there is not a more consistent horse in training. It was, I think, wise to rest him, for it struck me that he was a little light at Sandown, and the easy should be beneficial, but Taylor is a master of the art, and I have ho, doubt the colt will strip as fit as the proverbial fiddle at Doncaster. No betting on the race has come under my notice, but I believe Buchan would be backed against the field; anyway he is and will be a warm favorite provided all continues well with him to the end: If, as I am informed, Childs is to ride him again, it is fair to assume that Lady James Douglas has no intention of running Bayuda. FILLIES AND DONCASTEB.. "Mares have frequently distinguished themselves in the Sollinger, and within my memory are the exploits of Marie Stuart. Apology, Jannette, Diltch Oven, Seabreeze. Memoir, La Fleche, Throstle, Sceptre and Pretty Polly. Nothing will alter my opinion that Keystone II. should have Avon in Trout-becks year. She proved it afterward by a splendid effort Avith the Avorst of the Aveights in the Jockey Club Stakes, for Beppo, AA-hich beat her, was only two heads behind the Avinner at Doncaster. One AA-onders whether it is AA-ithin the bounds of possibility for her daughter, Keysoe, to bring consolation for that unlucky defeat. The chance seems remote, but when marcs start improving it is remarkable Avhat great strides they make, and there is ample scope in the slashing daughter of SAA-ynford, himself a St. Leger winner. Afcican Star gave her fifteen pounds and a beating at LiA-erpool, but I think he A-ould haA-e had bad luck in a similar task at Goodwood, where Lord Derbys mare scored twice, first making a hack of Britannia and then Avinning the Nassau Stakes from Flying Spear. In the latter race she surprised me by the gameness she displayed, for, like many of the descendants of Persimmon, I had begun to fear that pluck aa-.is not her forte, but here she ran as game as a pebble and as straight as a gun-barrel under pressure, and I hope that the two victories last A-eek haA-e done her a AA-orld of good. She may be too big to come to her best this year, but may easily develop Into a Cup candidate of high order, and it is in her faA-or that she shapes like a real stayer. DOMINION AND SIR DOUGLAS. "Dominion is said to have put his foot in a hole and lamed himself in the Derby, but the effect can only have been trifling, for Avithin a fortnight he came out fresh again at Ascot to win the Prince, of Wales Stakes, covering the mile and five-eighths as though the distance was no trouble to him, though that AA-as not the impression previously held of him. It Avns in eA-ery respect a delightfully smooth performance, and as the handsome son of Polymelus has made satisfactory progress since, " there is sound reason for hoping that he will give a: good account of himself in the St. Leger, Avith a victory probably intcn-cning at Derby. Of all the three-year-olds, hoAvever, I do not think there is one that has made more improvement than Sir Douglas, which has proved Avell Avorthy of his name. From something like a rouge he has doA-eloped since Hulme took him in hand, and now runs as generously as possible. As nn individual he is. splendid and a great credit to his sire, Stedfast, Avith all the attributes of a first-class race horse, and although his task there Avould, I think, haA-e been an easy one, it Avas Avise not to. run risks Avith the colt on the hard, rough ground at Brighton. Sir Douglas has gone on steadily improving sinco the Derby, having scored three times in succession, Avinning at Ascot, then at Salisbury and at Good-Avood, Avhere he showed himself two stone or more the superior of Chat Tor. It AAOtild be interesting to know Avhat Taylor thinks of him, and failing that I Avill chance the opinion that Sir Hedworth Meux Avill Avant a lot of beating at Doncaster."
