RAPIER'S WONDERFUL RECORD

NZ Truth, Issue 1152, 29 December 1927, Page 9

RAPIER'S WONDERFUL RECORD

Wins His Third Big Cup Within Eleven Months

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.)

When he won the Auckland Cup by two and a-half lengths from Count Cavour in 3.24 2-5, Rapier set a record that will probably stand for all time.

THAT Is capturing the "Wellington, 1 New Zealand and Auckland Cups

within eleven months,

There was merit, in his latest task, for Rapier was saddled with close on a stone dead-weight and was opposed by the Dominion's best stayers.

The son of Greyspear hopped off from No. 3 position, but was not one of the early leaders though never far enough back to be counted out.

He was always going nicely over the last mile and was up with the leading bunch long before straight entrance to hit the front just below the distance, with Count Cavour as the most likely from a danger viewpoint.

They were both straining every nerve, but the 91b. advantage held by Rapier and his gameness predominated "The Count" being left to fill second berth for the third year in succession.

It was a finished perf ormanco on the part of Rapier and stamped him as a real handicap horse of class.

Battlement hung on well for third money, Eden Hall fourth, Fapatu (badly placed early) fifth, and Star Stranger sixth.

The order of the others was: Te Monanui, Mask, Great Charter, Transformer, Bennanee and Te Kara.

Great Charter set a strong pace out in front to the home turn, after which he petered back.

The severe nature of the pace set is told by the sectional times supplied by J. K. Douglas: 13 2-5, 25 2-5, 38 1-5, 52, 1.28, 1.40, 1.55 2.7 3-5, 2.201-5, 2.33 2-5, 2.47 1-5 and for the full distance 3.24 2-5, which is easily a record for two miles at Ellerslie.,

It was a pretty' race throughout and well worthy of the £3000 stake.