CUP WEIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 91, 11 January 1935, Page 15

CUP WEIGHTS

Form and Prospects NOTES AND COMMENTS Golden Hair Resumes Work . i, ■ (By “The Watcher.”) - Vintage was the obvious topjveight for 1 the Wellington Cup, following upon recent performances, and it was just a question at what figure Mr. Coyle would start his handicap. With 9.0 Vintage has a pound more than the record weight car- • Tied by a Wellington Cup winner since the event was transferred to Trentham, Star Stranger having set the previous best with 9.8, in 1928. Achilles 9.4 in 1907, and Cotnpris 9.0 in 1932, are the only other nine-stoners to succeed in a Wellington Cup at Trentham. Of course, comparisons with horses of the past with those of to-day are hardly possible, and there is a well grounded suspicion that the calibre of our handicap horses to-day is well below the standard of such as Star Stranger, but all the same Vintage has got a good horse’s weight, and he is entitled- to the honours if he can win. Vintage and King Marell. On his recent record he is not harshly treated, for all his 9.9. He won the C.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap with 9.0, and finished fourth in the Duke of Gloucester Cup at Trentham last month with 9.0, after a very bad passage. He failed in the Auckland Cup with 9.0, but the form in that event can be largely discarded in view of the interference that took place, Vintage being one of the principal sufferers. He won the Auckland Racing Club Handicap-on the third day. over the Wellington Cup distance, with 9.6, meeting King March at level weights, and beating him- into second place by half a length. King March had finished second in the Auckland Cup with 8.1, and Grand Jury was third, both in the Cup and in the Racing Club Handicap with 7.8 and 8.8 respectively. On the concluding day Vintage and King March metagain at level weights (weight-for-age), over ten furlongs, in the Clifford Plate, and Vintage won easily by two lengths. For these defeats King March has a concession of 51b. at Trentham. Both Have Won Twice. It is interesting to observe their respective records of'the past few weeks. King March won at Waipa with 8.8 the day that Vintage finished fourth at Wellington under 9.6. King March ran second in the Auckland Cup with 8.1, and Vintage was unplaced with 9.0. King March won the Summer Cup with 8.13, Vintage being withdrawn. Vintage beat him at level weights subsequently on the third and fourth days, with 9.6 and 9.3 respectively, and definitely proved the superior. So each has two wins, but .while from their first meeting Vintage now is up 91b,. King March is up 171 b. Both form and figures favour the topweight, who, moreover, may be the more susceptible to improvement, for there is little doubt that King March returned from Australia to reach his peak form at Ellerslie.,

A Substantial Drop. The outstanding form of this pair at the head of the list sees a substantial drop in the handicap to Gay Marigold, who, at 8.5. is conceding Grand Jury 31b. Gay Marigold finished third in. the Duke of Gloucester Cup on December 15 with 8.8. Grand Jury. 8.5, being unplaced. At the Auckland meeting Grand Jury, 7.8, was third in the Cup. and Gay -Marigold, 7.11. unplaced. Grand Jury was third in the A.R.C. Handicap with S.B, and on the concluding day Gay Marigold was third in the Grandstand Handicap with 5.9. There is thus very little between the form of this pair, and while both have been dropped thei.r respective merits have been rated practically as they were a month ago. Grand Jury meets Vintage 71b. better than in the A.R.C. Handicap, and he incidentally has 131 b. more than he won with last

year, when he beat King March, to whom he was conceding 51b., by half a length. Vintage May Hold Them, Gay Marigold’s form at Auckland was just good enough to keep her round 1 about the same mark, but she meets Vintage 61b. better than when she finished in front of him here in the Duke of Gloucester Cup. It seems fairly clear, however, that they will have their work cut out to make the most of that advantage against Vintage on Auckland form.

A Prtiblran. Red Manfred, 8.3, presents rather a problem. His form has not been bad, but it has not been up to expectations. Red Manfred was unable to start at the Royal Welcome meeting owing to an injury, and he had only one race at Auckland. running second on the last day in the Grandstand Handicap with 8.5, being in receipt of 41b. from Gay Marigold, who ran third. There is now 21b. between them- Bed Manfred was second hero In the spring to Spiral, and second to Sporting Blood in the Harcourt Cup. He seems to run well at Trentham, and should he strike form he ought to be dangerous at the weights.

Out of Favour. Polydora’s boom has hprst, but it is possible that she may stage a return to form, and she is now down to a weight which should make her troublesome if at her best. She was the favourite with Red Manfred here in the spring when she carried 8.8, and she was third in tho Fendalton Handicap won by Vintage, to whom she gave 51b. With weights reversed in the Metropolitan, she was unplaced, but was finishing strongly. She failed during the holidays, but at Waikouaiti this was due to a fall. Polydora is a good mare when at her best, and should she show some form on the tracks between now and Cup day, she is likely to come into favour. Elites Trentham.

Spiral’s form does not attract much attention, but he is a horse who has always run well at Trentham, a fact which is worth remembering. He was third in the last Wellington Cup at level weights with the winner, and he was a winner here in October under 81, while he got 5.5 in the Duke of Gloucester Cup last month. He received a passage in this race, but.'he failed at Auckland, which accounts for his drop now to 7.12. It is Spiral’s liking for Trentham that commands attention rather than his recent form. ,

From Hack Ranks. Guddle is a recruit from the hack ranks, and on her form is entitled to respect. Her first open race was at Manawatu, where she was unable to hold Inflation over nine furlongs, at a difference of 101 b. She won the Marton Cup by a big margin, being in receipt of 41b. from the Manawatu Cup and dual winner at that meeting, Tout le’Monde. The fact that she now has to give Tout le Monde 31b. is fairly indicative that her form has impressed Mr Coyle more than that of Tout le Monde at Manawatu. despite the latter’s double there. The handicap class at Manawatu and Marton was undoubtedly weak, but this pair should be lightweight possibilities.

Down in Weights. Passion Fruit has not improved on the form which saw him run fourth in the Fendalton Handicap and second in the Jockey Club Handicap, followed by the win in the Feilding Cup and at Woodville, but it is possible that he has been feeling the effects of the hard tracks. He was unplaced in the Duke of Gloucester Handicap with 7.11, fourth in the Manawatu Cup with 8.11, giving Tout le Monde 211 b., and third in the Diverpool Handicap on the final "day at Awapuni .with 8.10, meeting Tout le Monde, who ran unplaced, on level terms. His drop in the weights should see him prominent if he returns to his best. In fact if races were decided solely on handicaps he would be one of the favourites. Nine on Minimum.

The remainder of the field, nine, have been placed on the minimum, and there are not many that will attract attention. Caliente may be worth more than passing notice. She ran a Creditable second here in the Duke of Gloucester Handicap on the minimum; she was fourth in. the Auckland Cup, carrying 7.3 J, unplaced in

the Summer Cup under 7.5, and fourth iu the A.R.O. Handicap under 7.4. It is possible she may run well at Trentham again.

Poor Form. Great Star is definitely on the down grade, and Korero does not look up to the class, nor does Red Rufus. Red Sun ran second in the Manawatu Cup, and he looked a trifle unlucky not to win, but his escapade following the race did not do him any good, and he is, on hits record, not likely to be well fancied. A repetition of" Manawatu form, however, would give him a chance at Trentham. Rocket.

Rocket may -be returning to form with the racing he has had during the past couple of months, but Royal Artist, though a previous winner of the Wellington Cup, cannot be considered on anything lie has shown of late. Silver Sight failed to run up to expectations during the holidays, but he can muster up form good enough to give him a fair prospect at his best.

There is an acceptance on Monday, but unless something sensational occurs in training operations, the favoured horses on form are likely to be Vintage, King March and Grand Jury, while Gay Marigold, Cuddle and Caliente may also have friends.

In Again. Golden Hair has been recommissioned again by O. Cox afHawera, and is reported to be looking well after her spell. Autopay's Rider. L. G. Morris will probably ride Autopay again at Trentham in the Telegraph Handicap. Morris usually gets the best Out of this Paper Money horse, and he won on him at the Manawatu meeting at his last start. Already Claimed. The name, The Viking, has been claimed for the Seigfried—Deft colt, owned by Messrs. Smith Bros., in T. R. George’s stable, but it is not likely to pass, as there is a gelding named Viking, a two-year-old, who ran third in a race at Dunedin in the spring. He has since joined F. Shaw’s stable. Viking was bred by Mr. V. Riddiford, and is by Dori Warden from Anthem, the dam of Crash, Dyrical, Clangor and Choral.

The First Hokitika Cup. A massive silver cup. competed for at the first race meeting held in Hokitika, was on view at the Westland Racing Club’s meeting last Saturday. The cup was presented by Mr. James J. Bartlett, who came from Melbourne and built and conducted the first theatre in Hokitika. The first cup contest was decided in 1876, and it was won by Mr. George Harrison’s gelding Types, who was ridden by Mr. Thomas Harris. On the occasion a four-day meeting was held at Clapeott’s paddock at South Hokitika, the only clear piece of ground available. Racegoers had to go up the quay in 'a horse-drawn tram, the fare being 6d. They then embarked in a ferry to cross the Hokitika River, there being no bridge in those days. The cup was kindly lent by Mr. Harrison’s daughter, residing at Palmerston North.

Davolo in Work Again. While so many other horses were being raced at holiday meetings. Davolo was enjoying a spell in the paddock. He has come back to work looking very fresh and well, ready for another preparation. He will net be raced at Trentham this month, but Riecarton and Wingatui will provide engagements a few weeks later. Spring form showed definitely that he was not a true stayer, but he will win good races round about a mile later in the season.

Up-to-date Facilities. (Negotiations between the Canterbury Jockey Club and Automatic Totalisators. Ltd., of Australia, for the installation of a new- Julius machine at Riecarton are likely to be completed this month. Mr. W. Raymond, manager and secretay to the company, intends to leave Sydney to-morrow to confer with the committee of the club.

Spender Sold. Mr. J. Power has disposed of Spender to the Bulls owner-trainer, A. E. Neale, and the Lord Quex three-year-old has been sent to his new home. Spender, after showing great, track form on thu eve of the Christmas meetings, failed

to reproduce that pace on race days, and was a big disappointment. This was not bis true form.

Stakes Increase. The Dunedin Jockey Club has decided to increase the stakes at its February meeting to £3265. The value of the Dunedin Cup has been changed, from £550 to. £6OO. ' " Satisfactory. .<

The financial result of the Auckland Racing Club’s recent summer meeting was satisfactory, although not quite as much so as the meeting a year ago.

Wanganui Nominitfldfiis. Nominations for all events at the summer meeting of tho Wanganui Jockey Club, to be held on January 31 and February 2, will close to-night at 8 o’clock. The Wanganui club this year has reinstated the Wanganui Cup, which will be run over a mile and a quarter, and. with a stake of £250, is the principal event on the first day.

Programme of Arouse. Although owner-trainer J. Brown considered Arouse as definitely sold a few days before Christmas, there was a hitch in negotiations at the last moment and a delivery was not made. It is still oil the cards, however, that the deal will be completed within the next week or so. Although lie was in the pink of condition. Arouse did not fulfil his Manawatu and Marton engagements owing to the doubt existing over his sale. Provided he remains in the ownership of Brown, the Grand Knight gelding will be seen out next at the Wellington Racing Club’s meeting this month.

English Blood fw Austnil.'n. Mr. Sol. Green, of Melbourne, one of tho leading thoroughbred breeders in Australia, has decided to spend at least £20.000 on English brood mares for his Underbank stud at Bacchus Marsh. Faith in the future of the blood stock industry of Australia is expressed by Mr, Green, who will visit England this year in time for the spring sales. Ho will not buy stock for racing. Recently Mr. Green imported from England the stallion Lo Zingaro. who has joined two other English sires, Verbius and Son o’ Mine, at Bacchus Marsh. Mr. Green has gained success on the racecourse and at the stud with English thoroughbreds, the most notable being Comedy King,'who. besides winning the richest races, proved the greatest sire of stayers in Australia for many years.