SELECT FIELD

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 108, 2 November 1940, Page 13

SELECT FIELD

DUSKY SOUND FAVOURED

(By "Ariki Toa.")

With the appearance of the final payments for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, to be run at Addington on Tuesday week, interest will be stimulated in the richest light-harness race in the Southern Hemisphere, and the progress of the respective candidates during the next week is sure to attract a good deal of attention. The field engaged this year includes the best available talent in commission,-, and no fewer than fifteen pacers have survived the acceptance. Lucky Jack, winner of the Cup last year, is among the missing on this occasion, and it is noticeable that the event lacks its usual international flavour with the absence of any Australian entries, but it is doubtful if a more select lot could have been brought together than those engaged. Since the nominations closed no fewer than four horses have dropped out, but their absence will not be missed, except perhaps in thecase of Ferry Post, who', although unreliable, has the speed of any horse- in the race. The New Zealand Trotting Cup has a history extending over some thirtyodd years, and the many contests have been chock-full of incident. The first contest was staged in 1904 and was run in a shade worse than 4min 40sec, whereas today unles*s a horse can be expected to register round about 4min ;20sec lie cannot be backed with any I degree of certainty. Light-harness enthusiasts must view with mixed feelings some of the fields competing today 'as compared with those of the i past, for it has been noticeable that the i past few seasons have failed to produce a public idol such as Indianapolis and Harold Logan. Some truly great pacers have won the Cup, and some that come to mind in this direction are celebrities of the calibre of Wildwood Junior, Cathedral Chimes, Author Dillon, Reta Peter, Ahuriri, Peter Bingen, Wrackle, Harold Logan, and Indianapolis, only to recall a few of them.

BEST TALENT.

This year's Cup field is representative of the best talent available, and at the moment there is a, strong tendency to view the prospects of Dusky Sound very optimistically, and taking a line through his form at the Addington August Meeting it is going. to take a pretty good horse to bring about his defeat He is ideally situated off the front of the handicap, and being a smart beginner his early speed should ensure his getting free from any scrimmages that may occur in the early stages of the race. His two winning efforts at Addington were most impressive; in fact, he was not required to extend himself to register 4min 18 sec on the final day, and critics are unanimous that he is one of the best pacers bred in the Dominion for some years. One interesting point connected with Dusky Sound is that it will be the first occasion on which his owner-trainer-driver, R. Townley, has been represented in the Cup, and at the moment he looks like achieving the rare feat of winning at his first attempt. C. S. Donald, who last year secured the barren honour with Plutus, has two candidates in Marlene and Plutus, and the pair are assured of strong support. Marlene has been steadily improving during, the past twelve months until she is now regarded in the first flight of pacers, and at Addington in August she gained two very decisive wins against the best class. Plutus is probably one of the most consistent pacers in commission, and he can always be relied upon to run a sound race. Last year he registered 4min 19 l-ssec to finish fourth, and his encouraging second at Oamaru on Labour pay does not suggest any dimming of his capabilities.

The remainder on the front of the handicap. Horse Power, Colonel Grattan. Bayard, and Renown's Best, have never accomplished anything that would suggest they are equal to triumphing in a race of this class, and better prospects appear on the 12yds mark.

STRONG TEAM.

R. B. Berry has no fewer than three horses to carry his colours, Southern Chief, Great Jewel, and Parisienne. There is no doubt that Southern Chief possesses brilliant ability, but he is a risky proposition at the start, and he gave an inglorious exhibition at Oamaru. Great Jewel has the speed and stamina for a searching contest, and he merits strong consideration A victory for Parisienne would be very popular, and a striking win at Oamaru suggests that she is not far from her best again. This mare is one of the greatest pacers bred in. the Dominion, but up to last week her racing had slumped badly, and it was pleasing to chronicle a return tp" her best.

Twelve months ago' Cantata was most unlucky to be beaten a neck by Lucky Jack, and she is handily placed to atone for the defeat. She did not shape exceptionally well in her outing at Oamaru, but the race is sure to have

wrought a big improvement in her condition, and by Tuesday week she should be right at her peak. She has a placed record of 4min 18 2-ssec and is not badly situated on a 4.25 mark.

Fine Art, who is now on 24yds, was one of the unlucky horses of the race last year, a bad check as the field turned into the straight sending him to a break. He had a run at Oamaru and !is reported to be very well at present, land he appears certain to be in the i picture. Marsceres, Blair Athol, and Pot Luck complete the field, but they would require to improve to win. At this stage Dusky Sound appears to hold bright prospects of success, with most opposition coming from Marlene, Fine Art, and Great Jewel.