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EURYTHMIC STILL GREAT » Australian Star, Though Beaten at Caulfield, Shows Fine Form. ♦ ■ "Writer in Sydney Referee Discusses Quality and Present Condition of Lee Slceres Famous Cup Horse. « From time to time in these columns have appeared accounts of the exploits of Euryth-mic. the great Australian cup horse owned by Iee Steere. Eurythmic. after a long- absence from the races, reappeared at the Caulfield course Saturday, February 24, and carried 147 pounds to be second to Salatis, to which he was conceding fourteen pounds. On account of the race and comment on Eurythmics present form by "Pilot" in the "Sydney Referee] follows : In the twenty-sixth Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, Eurythmic. which had the thumping big weight of 147 pounds, which included a twenty -pound penalty, was again a popular fancy. Eurythmic touched 2 to 1 against, and started favorite at 3s. Salatis opened at Cs, went to 7s and hardened to 5s. Wish Wynne and Easingwold each saw 4s and eased to 6s. When the barrier rose Eurythmic, which drew the extreme outside, was last away. Demetrius, on the rails, made the pace from Battleplane. With five furlongs to go Salatis was eighth, and behind him were Caserta and Eurythmic. Demetrius continued to lead round the home turn from ISattleplane, but to the dismay of his backers, Eurythmic was last at this stage. Demetrius and Battleplane took the home turn badly. SALATIS TAKES LEAD. Salatis. which improved his position from the half-mile, had a nice run on the rails, and when heads were turned for home was in front. Eurythmic began at this point to put in that noted run for which he is so famed. Salatis. however, finished exceptionally well, and won, amidst great excitement, by a length from the fast-finishing Eurythmic. Caserta was a good third and finished well. Maid of the Mist was a close up fourth, and Sylosen came next. Easingwold was and Sylosen came next. Easingwold was ninth and Wish Wynne ran last. Salatis ran the seven-eighths in 1 :27. which equaled the record for the race previously credited to Flash of Steel and Wedge. The first eighth took :!:!. the next quarter 25 Vs. and the last half-mile 49% . Salatis gave R. Lewis his third riding success in the Futurity Stakes. There was a share of cheering when Salatis and his rider returned to scale. Salatis is trained at Flemington by I*. T. lleywood. and was bred by his owner, John Mills. Traquette. the dam of Salatis, was also raced by Mr. Mills and ran second to Maharajah in the Futurity Stakes of 191G. EURYTHMItS BRILLIANT FORM. The form of Eurythmic in the Futurity Stakes was so brilliant that it is clear that he is far from being a spent force in racing. even if his owner does determine to finish his career at an early date. It appeared in print last week that Eurythmics racing career was to conclude this autumn, though whether subsequent to the "Victoria Racing Club or Australian Jockey Club Autumn meeting was not definitely stated. Let us hope it is the latter, as his appearance would greatly add to what already promises to be an especially good meeting. After his defeat in the Melbourne Stakes last spring it certainly seemed as if Eurythmic had reached the downhill stage, and it would not have occasioned any surprise if he had been retired. It was a trifle late in- the season, however, and that possibly influenced the decision to have him trained again after a spell. Nor does it seem as if Lee Steere will have any cause to regret it. When Eurythmic failed to give his stable companion, Easingwold. twelve pounds in the St. George Stakes, many racing men began to talk of his deterioration, overlooking the fact that he had beaten Sister Olive and The Cypher on ten pounds worse than weight-for-age terms. HIS STRONG FINISH. Although that was a gocd run. his second in the Futurity Stakes on Saturday was even better. Badly away and still whipping-in approaching the home turn Eurythmic only failed by three-quarters of a length to reach Salatis, to whom he was conceding fourteen pounds. It would be interesting to know exactly how much start Eurythmic gave Salatis over the last three furlongs, and his finishing effort must have been reminiscent of the one that landed him winner of the 1921 Sydney Cup, though 1 have never regarded that performance as better than Poi-trefs the previous year, and the latter did not not win. It was hard luck though that on Saturday a win did not result from one of Eurythmics finest efforts. He was defeated in 1:27, time equaling the previous record for the Futurity Slakes ; so that, working on a time basis, his form was really better than when he scored by a neck from Wish Wynne in 1:28. The track may have been a bit faster on Saturday, but, for purposes of comparison, it is worth mentioning that each year the time for the Hawksburn Handicap was 1:11.. I am quite aware it is inadvisable to place too much faith in time, but as Eurythmic did the seven furlongs at least a second faster than last season it cannot fairly he claimed that he has deteriorated to any extent. Dempscy was blamed by a section of the spectatois because Eurythmic was slow off the mark, but that may not have been entirely the riders fault. Of course, it was pointed out that Eurythmfe was always well placed in the St. Ceorge Stakes the previous week, but the difference between a hustling seven furlongs— particularly if he had not been specially prepared for sprinting — and a nine furlong race would mean a lot to the chestnut. 1 do not suppose it was from choice Demp-Sey had Eurythmic last three fin lings from home pa Saturday. No doubt he felt it Would he unwise to attempt to force him, and simply had to wait until he knew it was Bate t send him along for all he was worth. At one time Lempsey was the idol of the Melbourne public, but now denunciations of his horsemanship are not unusual. He still rides really well, but any jockey who fails to keep on winning is sure to hear that he "n"ver could ride." Iurythmie should take no end of beating in .the Essendon Stakes, and. if he wins that. is sure to be a competitor for the C. M. I.loyd Stakes or Governors 1 late on the third day. Possibly the former, and. if successful, Mr. Lee Ste. re could be excused if he decided that his horse had earned immediate retirement. At the stud Eurythmic deserves good opportunities, but whether he will have them is another matter. During the past twenty years many first-class Australian racehorses have commanded little attention when the have gone to the stud, but with the deeds of Wooraks stock fresh in mind, it is encouragement for breeders to patronize Eurythmic, who can not only sprint, but stay.
