CUP CONTEST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 390, 26 November 1932, Page 6

CUP CONTEST

ROYAL ARTIST FANCIED No less than five of the acceptorg for the Alison Cup, the big race at Takapuna on Saturday, were seen in action at the recent Waikato meeting, so that the form is there to go upon, more especially as this quintet should be able to fight out last weekend's contests all over again. Royal Artist and Refresher, two Alison Cup aspirants, participated in that hectic Waikato Cup finish, where only half a length : separated the first four horses, Refresher winning by a nose over Knight of Australia and Bronze Tray, dead heating for second, with Royal Artist right up. It was generally conceded that Royal Artist was the unlucky horse in the Waikato Cup, and this, in addition to the fact that he comes in 51b. better with Refresher — the deadheaters are missing on this occasion — sugges£s that as between this pair at least Royal Artist will hold the whip hand on Saturday, with a furlong extra to travel. Handles ihe Corners Antique has a big weight, 9.9, but this cannot be held seriously against his prospeets, when it is remembered that he won the Takapuna Cup ten months ago with 8.8, wTon on the second day of that fixture with 9-6, later won -the A.R.C. Autumn Handicap with 9.8, and recently finished fourth in the Mitchelson Cup with the steadier of 9.12. It is in the ability of Antique to handle the Takapuna course that causes his prospeets to be highly assessed, rather than the fact that he is a good weight carrier. Speedmint is another possibility, and she is in the same stahles as Royal Artist. Their trainer would prohahly be better pleased if there was a rule providing for the bracketing of stahlemates on the totalisator, for it would make his position a little less embarrassing in his attempt to serve two masters, or in this particular instance two owners. Speedmint is in good form, and it was no disgrace to be heaten by a good horse like L'Allegro at Te Rapa. While the trio already mentioned appear to stand right out, there are others engaged likely to make it interesting. The slow pace in the Waikato Cup must have assisted materially in enabling Refresher to see the ten furlongs right out in what was a tcrrifie finish. This Takapuna course suits a non-stayer, and it will favour Refresher, even if he has got the stamina. Lighfc-wejgbt Possibilities Great Emblem is an improving sort and he looks easily the best of the lightweights, allhough Alloy is a real sticker, even if he is more at home amqng the far northern class- Eager Rose went two solid races at Te Rapa without ever threatening danger, and Gay Cockade, the gay deceiver, is still working well. But he is a real morning glory. Volimond finished second to Paganelli in the Waikato sprint, and then failed in the handicap on the second day. She is more or less sore so that she has to be taken very much on trust. Volimond won this race twelve months ago. Maori Boy requires plenty of mud to be seep at his best, yet he is a game horse and rarely runs a bad race. Gay Idea, Teels, Tarporley (as often as not a cot case) and Helium are stickers and round the turns they may make it more than interesting with their feather weights. However, it looks as if the good horses engaged will be able to surmount any obstacles likely to be set up by the featherweights, and it will be something surprising if Royal Artist is not one of the most prominent candidates when the judge sets himself to receive the horses at the post. Antique and Speedmint are next fancied, with Refresher a possibility.