Racing Bits and Turf Tattle

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 108, 29 December 1931, Page 2

Racing Bits and Turf Tattle

"The Judge."

Specially Written for i^ie "Post"

by

In many ways the contest for this season's Auckland Cup at Ellerslie ( was an interesting one, and at times 1 the changes in running were most remarkable. In the first place it was difficult to forecast what would be the totalisator favourite. i Five miiutes hefore closing time | Motere was a pronounced first fancy : over Admiral Drake, but the latter ; came to the front with a rush of capital, and he was finally £15 better backed than Motere. Stage Set The stage was set for this big contest amidst ideal surroundings. The weather was beautiful, not so hot as one would expect for Boxing Day, and there was a large attendance, reminiscent of better times, the gaudy and fiowing frocks of the gentler sex finding a charming background in the pretty lawns and gardens. Ellerslie under those conditions can he classed as one-of the world's most beautiful spots. But to get back to the Cup. There was not much delay at the barrier/ the ten funners leaving in a line. As expected there v was nothing anxious to act the role of pacemaker, and every one of the horses was fighting with its rider for its head. Finally, at the end of the first furlong — one gone and fifteen to go — Great Star was an unwilling victor in this horse-jockey struggle, and he bowled along towards the half-mile post the first time with his mouth wide open, Gay Crest being just hehind him, with Motere and Compris the last pair. Many Changes ' But the first of many sudden changes was not long forthcoming. Prince Yal — upon whom J. Cammick displaced E. Ludlow at the last minute, the latter being several pounds over-weight — pulled past them all, and setting the pace a craclcer he drew away clear up the home stretch the first time. Passing the judge's box Prince Val was out nearly eight lengths clear of the others, who were mostly bunched, the same pair being still last. In the next furlong Prince Val came back to his field, and he continued to go right back till he was in the ruclc — finish Prince Val. It was now Seatown's turn to clap it on. Probably pulling his rider out of the saddle Green considered it was the lesser of two evils to let the hope of Taranaki go, and he flew past the field to take up the running. For nearly half a mile Seatown carted them along gaily, and all the while Gay Crest and Admiral Drake were content to run along smoothly behind the lcaders, both riders being tickled ! to death to see the cut-throat tactics I adopted by several of their opponents. I Both Motere and Compris had made an effort to improve their positions along the back, but whereas the latter kept to the rails as much as possible, Motere's rider, throwing discretion to the four winds, went the long way round, and crossing the top he was four horses out. Nicely Bunched j The field was nicely bunched at the j home turn, where Motere was off the I course, about six horses out from the ! rails. As soon as they were straightend up Admiral Drake and Gay Crest were practically in line with Motere, with Peter Jackson handy. Under pressure Motere hung out badly and he finally finished out under the judge's box, well beaten. It was a short and sharp struggle between Admiral Drake and Gay Crest, the pair leaving the others over the last furlong, but the latter found the task of conceding the Wingatui gelding 201b s at the end of a stern two miles an impossible one, and he went , down with colours flying, leaving 1 Owner J. H. Samson ("Lucky Samj son") the victor, entitled to nail his I broom to the inast as did the Dutch j Admiral, Von Tromp, many years beI fore.

So was the Auckland Cup won last Boxing Day. If ever a sportsman was entitled to win this most valuable race on the Dominion's racecourses it was surely "Lucky" Samson, for he has speculated freely in the purehase of thoroughbreds over the last few years, and he has not had the suceess due with his large team. May this win be but the foreru'nner of many others xor the Dunedin sportsman. It certainly compensated for Admiral Drake' s New Zealand Cup defeat by Spearful. By the way, would Admiral Drake have started favourite in the Auckland Cup had it been known at Ellerslie that SpearI ful, his Riccarton conqueror, could [ not do better than third in the Mana- ! watu Cup? 1 A Game Race Gay Crest ran a game race under his nine stone. Compris was finishing on gamely enough in third place, while Peter Jackson was also coming again at the end to get fourth close uo to Compris. Jaloux failed at the business end, and Motere was asked I to do the impossible. Taneriri and Seatown failed to stay two miles, and so did Prince Val and Great Star, who ran a dead-heat for last, some dis- [ tance behind Seatown. I The sectional times make interesting reading. The first mile — a slow one — was cut out in 1.44, the 11 furlongs in 2.22, and the mile and a-half in 2.35. The last mile occupied 1.40 3-5, and the final half-mile in 49 3-5. The time for the race, 3.24 3-5, equalled the record for the race put up by I Rapier four years earlier. Apprentice Rider Admiral Drake was turned out in capital order by his trainer, C. Goisler, but the greatest credit for the win must be hahded to the successful apprentice rider, K. Voitre, who was seen to wondei'ful advantage. He never had his mount far away from the erratic pacemakers, and never at any stage was ,he asked to cover extra ground until the straight was reached. Voitre's handling of Admiral

Drake was one of the high lights of • the contest. There was an interesting scene when the Governor-General presented the cup to the trainer, on behalf of the owner. His Excellency was desirous of congratulating the joekey, who was rather . backward when the big moment came, so when His Excellency took Voitre by the hand he drew him forward in an extra hearty hand grip to such effect that the lad willy nilly was forced forward into the charmed circle to the accompaniment of the smiles of the delighted spectators.