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. . Peter Peter Mare, Mare, confii confirmed ority over over Tamerlane, Tamerlane, with with a a driving, driving, last last ► __ . j— : m Mm P** •• - M mm . » m i9 hHIm HP •■■Mm HF f I . j , . . 4 England My Babu and Alycidon Progeny Prove Class Over Newmarkets Rowley Mile By CLIVE GRAHAM v London Correspondent, Daily Racing Fom LONDON, England. — Second-crop progeny of My Babu and Alycidon— two of the best horses to race in England since the war — took between them, the first two classic races over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. Our Babu, by My Babu, out of a Blue Peter Peter Mare, Mare, confii confirmed med his his juvenile juvenile superi superiority ority over over Tamerlane, Tamerlane, with with a a driving, driving, last last med his his juvenile juvenile superi superiority furlong run which* landed him winner by a neck. The French outsider, Clairon, was a short head away, third, rather more than a length in front of his compatriot, Gladiador IV., who had led this classic field of 23 for close on to seven furlongs. The ground, under its protective cushion of green turf, , rode firm. On the whole, this bunch of classic candidates did not make great appeal to the eye. Lord Porchesters Tamerlane, for all his lack of inches, was as fit as the proverbial prize fighter, with rippling muscles over his back and quarters, which testified to his fine condition. Beau Prince, most favored of the French challengers, is a shallow, spare type of colt, who proved quite unable to adapt himself to the firm footing. Americ, reckoned second best of the cross-channel hopes, wore protective bandages on his forelegs. He is a tall, full-bodied colt, with the size and strength more usually to be found in hurdlers or steeplechasers. 4 A A At the foot of the hill, a furlong from the finish, there were five horses fighting for mastery. Gladiador IV., Clairon, Tamerlane, My Smokey and the Irish Flying Story, racing virtually in line. Our Babu, who had been balked for an opening soon after half way, was some three lengths behind. Breasley on Tamerlane shot into a half-length lead over Clairon with a hundred yards to go. The Australian rider was afterwards criticized for failing to use his whip. He sat still in the saddle, only to be overwhelmed by Our Babus terrific, surging finish. When the race was over, Tamerlanes failure was ascribed to a faulty heart condition which prevented conclusion of a deal to an American buyer last year. The veterinary test taken later last week, disclosed, however, that Tamerlanes heart is now 100 per cent sound again. Our Babu, 20-1 for the Derby before his Guineas victory, is now second choice to Acropolis. He is unlikely to run again before Epsom, and his stamina for that testing mile and a half will remain debatable. My Babu, his sire, was a brilliant miler who finished fourth in the Derby after victory in the Guineas. His dam, Glen Line, had previously thrown King of the Tudors I by Tudor Minstrel , whose distance limit was plainly 10 furlongs. ft " • • Meld, who won the fillies classic, seems guaranteed in the stamina line. Lady Zia Wernhers bay daughter of Alycidon and Daily Double, by Fair Trial, has everything that one expects in a high-class filly. She stands fully 16 hands and is made over-all in symmetrical proportion. Her rich, bay coat color, with dappling over the ribs and quarters, enhances her beauty, and she has, moreover, the commanding, majestic aspect which someone once likened to "the look of eagles." Gloria Nicky, champion of her sex in 1954, had trained for the race so badly that it was decided to scratch her. Only 12 fillies turned out, with Reinata «by Relic the sole representative from France. The race was run at a meandering sort of pace for the first half mile when Aberlady and Meld were the first to accelerate. Lord Rosberys pony-like gray filly matched strides with Meld down the incline, but once the rising ground was reached, Melds long stride came into play, and she drew clear to win easily by two lengths. Harry Carr did not recourse to his whip and gave her an easy hand ride. Feria by Tudor Minstrel, who was third, in front of Reinata, was bought cheaply last year for ,500 at the Dewar dispersal. • ■ ■ A great contest for the March Stakes over the Newmarket straight mile and a quarter enlivened prospects. There were only three starters — the two four-year-olds Darius and Narrator and the three-year -old Estcourt, who received 28 pounds. The older horses drew away in the last quarter mile to fight out a head and head battle, Darius passed Narrator to take a neck lead, but in the last 100 yards Major Hollidays big colt fought back to gain a nose verdict. Odds of 1-2 were asked about Darius, and his defeat was a blow to Sir Percy Loraine and Harry Wragg. Despite excuses advanced for the loser, it seems probable that Narrator will confirm the form when they meet again. When the time comes for him to retire he will be a welcome addition to Jur list of stallion*. He islrNearcb i* M ■ • » f - ■■■■ r *i ■ LORD CARNARVON— English sportsman sold his Derby colt, Solarium, to Gerry Alertini. out of Phase, by Windsor Lad, and a full brother to Neasham Belle, winner of the Oaks. My Babu had a satisfactory week as sire of winners. His two-year-old daughter, Fourposter, owned by Mrs. Larry MacPhail, easily won the First Spring Stakes, and Lord Derbys Aidos proved another two-year-old winner for the Irish-based stallion. * A * Odds and Ends: Lord Carnarvon sold his Derby colt Solarium for 6,000 to 23-year-old Gerry Albertini. The ink was hardly dry on the check before the colt, examined and passed sound in all respects at the time of the sale, unaccountably suffered a strain to his hock. . . . True Cavalier was not raced at Newbury and will probably oppose Acropolis for the Newmarket Stakes next week. . . . Oriental Spring, a four-year-old gelding by Jai Hind Nearco, winner of three successive handicaps this spring, has been bought by Hasty House Farm. . . . Grapevine rumor suggests that the Aga Khan is about to transact a 00,000 yearling deal with an American client. . . . The reason for Alyci-dons apparent sterility last year has now been discovered. There is nothing organically wrong with the Derby stallion. "Hes lazy, thats all," says the stud manager. He had another impressive filly winner last week when Lord Derbys Alcyone, running the second race of her career, cantered away with the Denston Stakes.
