THE WINTER CUP

Evening Post, Issue 37, 12 August 1936, Page 13

THE WINTER CUP

L. J, ELLIS AND WINO

Though the result was, not the sensation it has often been, the Winter Cup once again eluded the betterfavoured division this year. The two favourites filled the minor places, but both were beaten by Wino, who was the fourth winner during the day to return double figures, with a fifth still to come in the final event. The' race was a triumph for the skill and judgment of the Dominion's leading horseman, L. J. Ellis, who had not previously enjoyed success in this ■?ye ut-i. WA ao drew a bad-marble, No. 14, but after a furlong Ellis took him up smartly to second . place behind Concertpitch. Then after following the leader into the straight, he brought the horse along with a perfectly smooth run to subdue Concertpitch near the distance, and he went on to score readily by a good length. Wino followed the suit of Royal Limond. Both horses failed to finish on in their same event last year, but they ran on too well in this year's races for their opponents. Wino however, undoubtedly owed much to his rider for his victory. Wino was enjoying his first success since his resumption, but three times recently he had been in the money, though he failed badly at Trentham last month. He gave the Hon. P. C. Webb his second success during the day, for Mr. Webb owns and races Wino in partnership with the Hon. G. R. Hunter, and he races the hurdler Havering on his own account. The partnership some years ago just missed the Winter Cup .when- Merry Peel was beaten into second place. Wino, now six years old, is a bay gelding by Cockpit (a son of China Cock) from the Kilbroney—Bebe mare Inoe, who traces back to Pocahontas, the dam of the great Stockweil. Inoe

besides is a half-sister to Cupidon, who won the A.J.C. Derby for the late Mr. G. D. Greenwood in 1921. He was a cheap purchase by Messrs. Hunter and Webb, who secured him for 50 guineas at the 1932 Trentham sales.

Concertpitch, having his first race since Easter, put up a splendid performance to finish second, and he showed himself one of the best short middle-distance horses at present in commission. If he had had a race in him, he would probably never have been caught.. He was ridden by A. E. Ellis, so the two brothers monopolised the issue.

THe unlucky horse might have been the favourite Ponty, who finished like a train into third place only half a length behind Concertpitch. As the field was turning into the straight he was stone cold last, and to have come from where he did was a remarkable achievement. There was nothing going (With his speed at the post, so he must now be allowed to be all as good as he is reputed to be. His finishing run was exactly the same as he showed among the hacks on the final day at Trentham last month. Adalene went a fine race, being well up all the way and third into the straight, but Ponty snatched third prize from her. Boomerang was not picked up in the running till near the end, but he came home fast to be fifth.

Epris, last year's winner, was another who was apparently unfortunate. In the early stages he was handily placed on the rail about six or seven positions back, but he was in trouble on the turn and completely lost his position. His prospects looked hopeless at the straight entrance, but nearing the distance he found an opening through the crowded field, and for a few moments he threatened danger, but finally he could not avoid the horses in , T Another horse finishing on was Mount Val, who was well back shortly after the start. Metal Bird,. Fair Weather, and Davolo went useful races, but weakened over the closing stages. Queen of Song, out on the track, .was prominent for a space, then disappeared. The Surgeon, Davolo, and Silk Arrow were all slow away, but the first pair moved up in the initial two furlongs. Rona Bay-and Royal trallant were in fairly forward positions on the home turn, but did not carry on in the straight.