The Victoria Racing Club is to be commended for their persistence in continuing to frame the St Leger into their Anzac Day program.

There was a period when the race could have been in jeopardy, with small fields and little interest shown in the event.

In years gone by the St Leger was an inclusion in the four day autumn carnival, in some cases attracting small fields and declining interest in the race.

The decision to move the date back into the calendar has proved a success, as illustrated yesterday.

Hippopus shows a touch of class

The interest was there with the Gai Waterhouse’s ultimate winner Hippopus, and the New Zealand St Leger winner Serpent, inclusions in the field.

While Gai’s colt is not in the same class as some previous winners, Phar Lap, Hall Mark or Trivalve, he is never the less a promising horse with a definite future ahead of him.

He can stay; he can take up a handy position, when Craig Williams called on him there was no hesitation, he answered immediately.

The heavy track may have been against him in the A T C Derby, he was a different horse on top of the ground at Flemington, turn him out now Gai! he has a touch of class, the spring awaits him.

On the return to scale with Craig Williams