Englands Star Tow-Year-Olds.: Best Fillies of the Year Held to be Superior to the Colts, Daily Racing Form, 1907-10-26

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ENGLANDS STAR TWO-YEAR-OLDS. Best Fillies of the Year Held To Be Superior to the Colts. English turf critics are perplexed in trying to determine which Is their best two-year-old of the present year, and seem Inclined to decide that their best Allies are superior to their besit colts. The Middle Park Plate, Dewhurst Plate, Great Sapling Stakes and other rich stakes for two-year-olds are yet to be run, however, and their decision may clear up the situation. The turf-loving Briton Is not satisfied with the world unless some brilliant colt develops annually to serve as favorite in. the Epsom Derby through the Intervening winter, and the present tangled condition of two-year-old form Is not relished. By general consent their best colts are White Eagle, Sir Archibald and Prospector, but White Eagle and Sir Archibald have both been beaten, and in addition to being defeated in his last race Prospector was then sick, came close to dying subsequent to. the race, and had to be retired, with his future career a doubtful problem. White Eagle, a chestnut colt by Galllnule Merry Gal, made his debut in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom June 4, and won easily, with 124 pounds up. Then he took the Ascot Biennial at Ascot, carrying 131, the Fulbourne Stakes at Newmarket with 131, and the National Breeders Produce Stakes at San-down after a terrific drive with Richard Crokers fine filly, Rhodora. He carried 135 pounds to her 123. His next start was for the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, In which, -with but five starters, he ran fourth to Lesbia, Ardentriye and Vamose. In accounting for his defeat London Sporting Life said recently: "There Is little doubt that he was still feeling the effects of his tremendous tussle with ,Rhodora in the contest for the National Breeders Produce Stakes at Sandown Park. On that occasion he carried nine stone nine pounds, and gave Mr. Crokers smart filly twelve pounds; and beat her by a head. I believe that those associated with the half-sister to Orby Rhodora is by St. Frusquin out of the Derby winners dam were somewhat astonished when they saw her defeated, even by so narrow a margin. Anyway, White Eagle accomplished that day- a very great performance, and one -that un-luestlonably sapped his strength for the time being. We may, therefore, take it for granted that he was lot in a position to do himself full justice when he an at Doncaster." Sir Archibald, a brown colt by Desmond Arc Light, made his first appearance at Newmarket May 5, as one of twenty -nine starters for a maiden jlate and won in such style that when he next itarted, which was for the rich New Stakes at A.scot, he was a decided favorite and won easily "rom Armlnta, the latter a half-sister to the Derby winner, Spearmint. Next Sir Archibald won the Chesterfield Stakes at Newmarket, carrying 129 pounds, but wltlr 13C pounds up, could only run second to Ardentrlve for the International Plate at Kempton Park, Ardentrlve carrying 112. Then, having up 134 pounds, he ran third to Rusbcutter, 119 and Olympus, 129, for the Rous Plate at Doncaster and people who had previously deemed him a prospective Derby winner of 190S, lost confidence in him. But he is a high-class two-year-old notwithstanding his reverses. Prospector, a bay colt by Pioneer Kendal Belle, first came out in the Surrey Stakes at nurst Park July 4, and, carrying 120 pounds, won in commanding fashion by four lengths. His next essay was tor the valuable Coventry Stakes at Ascot, which he won In a canter from high-class opponents. He had up 120 pounds. Next he won the Hurstbourne Stakes at the Blbury Club meeting, carrying 131 rounds. His last race was for the Kennet Plate it Newbury In which he ran second to Olympus, the latter carrying 121 pounds to his 130. Of Prospector and this race a competent critic says in Sporting Life: "When unexpectedly beaten by Olympus at Newbury at the end of July, he had In him the fever which subsequently assumed such an alarming character. In the circumstances he did amazingly well on that occasion, for he was .giving Lord Roseberys colt fifteen pounds. This was possibly an achievement even more meritorious than his easy victory in the race for the Coventry Stakes at Ascot a victory which impressed me tremendously. I came to the conclusion there and then that he was the best colt of his year, and provided he Is none the worse for the illness which proved well-nigh fata, I think he . will in due course justify my opinion." There are, of course, other good two-year-old colts in England, but the two named seem the stars. Of the fillies Lesbia, a sister to Flair, Miranda, a sister to the famous Pretty Polly, Ardentrlve and Aramlnta are thought to be the best, with Lesbia "given preference. She Is undoubtedly a grand filly. Her first race was at York, August 27, where she won the Prince of Wales Plate In a canter, and in such fashion as to evoke general admiration. Her next start was for the rich Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, September 10. In this race she won easily from Ardentrive, Vamose, White Eagle and Strangways, and up to latest advices had not started again. It might be noted here that Vamose is a full-brother to Flying Fox, and Is thought to be a good colt himself. In the 5,000 Imperial Produce Stakes at Kempton Park, October 11, Lesbia and Vamose ran a dead heat and divided the stakes. Vamose carried 132 pounds, Lesbia 129, and the race was run in blinding rain. Lesbia is a bay filly by St. Frusquin Glare. The good filly, Ardentrive, is by William the Third View, and like Lesbia, is a bay. Her first start was in the July Stakes at Newmarket, July 2. Here she ran unplaced. August 14 she did better by winning the International Plate from Sir Archibald, and at Derby, September 3, won the Champion Breeders Foal Stakes, and later on at Doncaster ran second to Lesbia in the Champagne Stakes. Aramlnta ran second to Sir Archibald for the New Stakes at Ascot her only start. Miranda made her debut in Newmarket recently and made quite a stir. She won at her first essay, and there is some disposition to think she may win fame akin to Pretty Pollys. Of this probable star and her dam one writer said, in describing her race: "The broodmare, Admiration, has been a wonder in giving Major Eustace Loder smart racers. Following the inimitable Pretty Polly, she threw Adula and Adora, while her latest youngster bids fair to make plenty of turf -history. This chestnut filly is made conspicuous by four white socks, and if a trifle lighter to bone than the peerless one, she has the same length and liberty, whilst her greyhound-like quarters are almost a replica of her elder sister. Her style of galloping reminds one very much of Polly, and her length of stride as she came sailing out of the Abingdon Dip was something truly amazing."


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