SPEED KINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 134, 27 August 1927, Page 7

SPEED KINGS

NEW ZEALAND CUP FIELD ONE TROTTER ENGAGED CAN AHURIRI DO IT AGAIN? THE New Zealand Cup field for 1927 has drawn an entry of 22 proved high-class light-harness exponents, including the champion of both the pacing and trotting sections. While there may be several defections before the great deciding day arrives, the field promises to be a large one, and trotting fans can look forward to seeing the cream of the Dominion’s horses, engaged in a thrilling struggle. Although early in the session “Abaydos” gives the following preliminary review of the contestants:

The fact that Ahuriri, winner of the New Zealand Cup the last two years, is again among the field of likely starters in November, together with the anticipated knowledge of students of the game that Bryce’s pacer is being nursed to make another attempt to land the rich prize, leads to the question being frequently asked. "Can Ahuriri achieve the hat trick?” THE HAT TRICK There are a great number of keen light-harness enthusiasts who are prepared already to say “Yes.” Some, while inclined to give the Cathedral Chimes gelding a royal chance of being successful for the third successive year, are satisfied there are others in the field that will make it exceedingly difficult to accomplish the feat. There is also another section which views such a task in the light of an impossibility, and negatives the question point blank. “Abaydos” must profess to be belonging to the middle class and while not prepared to say “Yes” or “No” to the recurring question, will be quite content to put Ahuriri down as one of the possibilities for the 1927 Cup. DUAL WINNERS J. Bryce’s candidate is not the first to record a dual success in the Dominion’s principal light-harness event, as Wildwood Junr. accomplished the feat in 1909 and 1910. No other candi-

date managed to win the second time out till that great trotting mare Reta Peter, who had lifted the thick end of the purse in 1920, repeated tlie performance in 1921. Then Ahuriri loomed on the horizon and after winning the 1925 contest came forward last year and it was again a game of put and take. Bryce put in and took out. After Ahuriri had placed the second New Zealand Cup to his credit it was freely stated that Mr. R. M. Morten’s pacer would be reserved for the cup of 1927, with a view to

eclipsing the performances of Wildwood Junr. and Reta Peter. UNLUCKY CANDIDATES Unfortunately Wildwood Junr. broke down when shaping as if he would add a third cup to his list, and Reta Peter also failed to train on after her second victory. But Ahuriri lias been nursed these past three years with one big idea, that of winning three cups. Since he triumphed over the opposition last November he has had a comparatively easy time, and in every way he has been handled so that he will have every opportunity to embellish his record by having his name recorded as the onl?/ performer with three cups to his credit. Last year his task was made somewhat lighter, first through the unfortunate missing of Imprint’s payment, then by the mishap to Jack Potts, and later through lameness putting Nelson Derby out of court, and finally by a fire ruining Black Admiral’s prospects. TASK MORE DIFFICULT This year the son of Cathedral Chimes will probably not have such a run of good fortune, and he will require to be all that his connections claim for him if he is to finish in front of at least half a dozen of those who are, barring accidents, sure to see the post on Cup day. Trainer “Scotty” Bryce, it is well known, has a great opinion of Ahuriri, and he is an excellent judge, and no one has a better knowledge of the capabilities of this pacer than he. When Bryce tags the liall-mark of efficiency on a horse the

public can rely on the animal being a really good one. If Ahuriri brings off the coup 3n November he can be heralded ns a champion, because, on this occasion lie will be meeting a field containing all the crack-a-jacks in the Dominion. OAKHAMPTON TEAM It must be remembered that the Cup winner of the last two seasons is not the only representative the long-

headed Scotsman has in the 1927 field. Great Hope, who annexed the big prize in 1923, and almost repeated the performance the following year, when he was second to Sheik, and finished fourth in Ahuriri’s first Cup, is one of Bryce’s division. Acron, who finished

second to Great Hope in 1923, and was third in 1925, is receiving his preparation from the same trainer, who also has a fourth string to his bow in Kohara, a Sapling Stakes, New Zealand Derby and Champion Stakes winner. The son of Cathedral Chimes, who is now in his sixth year, is a solid pacer, and at the Auckland summer fixture last year won the President's Handicap in fine style, tramping the sixteen furlongs in 4.25 4-5. • It was in this race that Queen's Own went 4.27 for second, and Great Bingen established his grass track race record of 4.19 2-5 for third, while Talaro for the lean end of the wallet registered 4.24 3-5. It is considered in some circles that “Scotty” will depend upon Ahuriri and Kohara as his main supports, but the quartette is a most formidable one and the stable will have a large following, and no doubt the popular trainer will shuffle his cards well before November, with the idea of securing trumps. Can he get the four to the post, and will he have a full hand dealt out to him when the four prizes are being allotted? TWO CHANCES While Bryce holds the strongest hand numerically at least, three other trainers have a double wire to pull. R. B. Berry has the brilliant Aucklandowned Sea Pearl, and the trotting queen, ,Escapade, under his wing. J. J. Kennerley is represented by Logan Chief and Peter Bingen, and O. 33. Hooper will rely on Queen’s Own and Audacious. In each instance it must be admitted these candidates are capable of adding interest to the event. THE TROTTING QUEEN Escapade stands alone in the big field as the representative of the square-gaited element, and she can be

relied upon to uphold worthily the trotting traditions. The richest prize in Dominion light-harness circles has been previuosly annexed by members of the free-legged craft, and there are many enthusiasts who will be prepared to see the brilliant daughter of Nelson Bingen emulate the deeds of her tribe among a strong pacing contingent. TROTTERS WHO PREVAILED Monte Carlo, a square trotter, was the first to have his name inscribed

on the roll of honour for the New Zealand Cup, being driven to victory in 1904 by Mr. B. P. Edwards, in 4.44 2-5. Monte Carlo was a gelding by Lincoln Yet. and the Cup was his only win that year. Pacers then topk charge of affairs and secured the big handicap without interruption till 1920, when Reta Peter, a trotting daughter of Petereta and Tot Huon, led home a good field in 4.30 2-5. This was also Reta Peter’s only victory that season, but she made a name for herself at the Addington Easter fixture by running third to Effie Bingen and Whist, with only a head separating the trio, ,n 4.28 2-5, establishing a trotting record for New Zealand, which was later shared by Whispering Willie, and, iast Easter, eclipsed by Escapade, when she tramped 4.27 1-5. RETA PETER’S SECOND CUP The following year, 1923, saw A. G. Wilson again land the New Zealand Cup with his brilliant mare, her time on this occasion being 4.29 1-5. Sherwood, an aged pacing son of Kerrwood —Jessie B, who had secured fourth place the previous year, finished this time in front of the trotting queen, but a protest against Sherwood for crossing the mare in the straight was upheld and tho judge’s placings altered, Sherwood being given second berth. F. Holmes, junr., who drove Sherwood, was lined £25. Reta Peter was only started once again that season, when she ran unplaced. In fact, the 1921 Cup was her last success. If Escapade can achieve a similar success, she would indeed be pro-

claimed a heroine, and the kelson Bingen—Country Belle mare could be assured of a tremendous reception from the sporting public. TWO STRINGS TO HIS BOW The only owner that promises to put two sets of colours in the field this year is Mr. J. R. McKenzie, the wellknown successful Wellington enthusiast, who has the two-mile recordholder Great Bingen (4.19 2-o) and Acron, who holds the mile record (2.3 3-5) engaged. The Wellington sportsman will be worthily represented by tlie brilliant pair, although the champion son of Kelson Bingen— Bertha Belle will be set a difficult task in the handicap. It looks as if Great Bingen will also be linked up on the machine with Bryce’s team. LAST YEAR'S RUNNERS Of those who competed in last year’s Cup, Ahuriri (winner), Prince Pointer (second), Talaro (third), Jack Potts (fourth). Queen’s Own, Acron, Man o’ War, Waitaki Girl, Sheik and Great Bingen are engaged in the coming contest, and this lot will be able to put on a hold front. Prince Pointer and Jack Potts have not been overdone since last November, but each has put up sterling performances during the interval. Jack Potts won a good handicap in 4.23 4-5, ant. Prince Pointer after winning, at Olahuhu on the opening day in 4.27, registered 4.22 the last day for second money. FRESH ASPIRANTS Among the newcomers who have not yet had their number on the machine for a New Zealand Cup contest, are Impript, Black Admiral, Kohara, Peter Bingen, Locanda Mac, Sea Pearl, escapade, Loganwood, Cardinal Bogan and Audacious. Here again is material sufficient to make a thrilling heat. Imprint is a great horse and proved by his recent performances that he is back to his best form. Black Admiral is a solid pacer that will probably be much improved this year. Loganwood and Audacious have winning form from Addington and -will have a lot of friends. Locanda Mac has an Auckland Cup to his credit, Peter Bingen will stay on better this season, while Cardinal Logan will be one of the “toughest of the tough nuts” when it comes to the grand finale. The 1927 contest promises to be a remarkable one from every viewpoint, and the field will be strong both in duality and quantity.