MUDLARKS'FIGHT

NZ Truth, Issue 1204, 27 December 1928, Page 9

MUDLARKS' FIGHT

Stirring Run For Home {Between Corinax, Latighing Prince, and ddtktn TRIANGULARXUP TUSSLE (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) Though he suffered defeat, the honors of the 1 928 Auckland Cup contest go to Laughing Prince; which was saddled with 8.12, and was thus giving away no less than 221bs. to Corinax, the only one of a dozen starters to head him off to the judge.

IT was a great battle between the pa^r mentioned and Catkin m the home run, though Corinax always appeared to have a shade the best of matters over, the last half-furlong. Corinax, which had been responsible for some great final track gallops, was always among the leading bunch early, with Papatu, Catkin and Talisker. Seven furlongs from home the race developed into the interesting stage, for just about that point Catkin set out to steal the prize, and this is probably where the mfstake was made m his case. He was up against a vastly-im-proving horse m Corinax, which could easily go after him, and he did, while the well-conditioned Laughing Prince could, be seen through the mist streaking past the middle bunch up to within Kahdy range. Catkin retained command into the straight from Corinax and Laughing Prince, but the home stretch was too far for Catkin to last it out at the pace and the real fight, the last bit,

Kvas between Corinax and Laughing Prince. They came dangerously close to each other as they plugged on for supremacy, and when the race was all over there was an inquiry, but no change was made regarding the judge's decision. Right up' behind the third horse, Catkin, was Count Cavour, fourth. Then came Hoylake (more suited m firm going), Talisker, Desert Glow, ■Oratrlx, Papatu and Mask, with Transformer and Tidal the'last pair to finish. Tidal was up surprisingly close for about a mile and .three fur-, longs, and then began to peter< out. This was no shock to his connections, for he has never galloped freely under soft conditions. The. first three to finish were regarded as the best mudlarks of the' bunch. ' ' With the exception of Te Kara's dead-heat m 1923, and his straightout victory m the following year, Corinax was ■ the only Auckland-owned horse to score m the big cup since Starland won m 1920.