GLANCE OVER THE CUP

NZ Truth, Issue 1149, 8 December 1927, Page 13

GLANCE OVER THE CUP

Weights For Big Ellerslie Two Miler

Between now and Boxing Day punters will be busy trying to pick the double decided at Ellerslie.

THE first lletheg — the Auckland Cvp — is going to keep them busy, to say nothing of the second — the Railway. For the two-miler Frank Maomanemin assesses Star Stranger and Count Cavour on equal terms. They have 9.5 each, and m starting his handicap at that mark it cannot be said he has been harsh. It will probably be found that neither will win, but after the way he has shaped on the course many will be inclined to lean to "The Count." Te Monanui, at 9.0, is giving two pounds to Footfall. The former is not 8, true stayer, while Footfall is at present under a cloud. With twelve pounds more than he scored with at Riccarton, Rapier is not absolutely murdered. He won the New Zealand Cup very handsomely, even after all but falling down m the straight. He must be hard. Te Kara, which has a cup and ahalf to his credit, is well treated with 8.7, but increasing years will tell against him. Mask and Beacon Light have 8.2 each, and if both go to the post the latter would be far more favored. Mask, though he won a Leger, does not fit m as a stayer. There are three on the eight-stone mark — Grand Knight, Piuthair and Degage. The English horse is the only one likely to be there. He has yet to show he can run two miles, but at middle distances he is, or was, up to the best of them.

There is a big drop from eight

stone to Satrap, which has 7.4. Being m the same stable as "The Count," he is not likely to be a runner. There is other fish for him. With a pound above the minimum, Bennanee has to be given a great show. He ran a splendid race m the New Zealand Cup, and the track at Ellerslie will probably suit him better than Riccarton did. Phaola and Royal Mint are faint possibilities on the same level. Over half the handicap is on the minimum, but the winner should not be m that bunch. Granted there are some fair sorts there, such as Lady Desmond, Mint Leaf, Ark Royal and In the Shade. With the race nearly three weeks away it is possible for anything to happen, but at the present moment three that are primely fancied are Rapier, Bennanee and Count Cavour.