Rapier is Favour for N.Z. Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 188, 29 October 1927, Page 6

Rapier is Favour for N.Z. Cup

EULALIE FOR STEWARDS’ CANTERBURY ACTIVITIES (Svccicil to THE SUN.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. With only a week to go for the New Zealand Cup fixture, affairs at Riccarton have become decidedly interesting, the arrival of many visiting horses having added attractiveness to the proceedings. The New Zealand Derby candidate, Laughing Prince, who arrived on Thursday, looks really well, and present indications point to the Australian bred three-year-old being sent out favourite for the classic race. FOOTFALL RECEDING IN FAVOUR Footfall is gradually receding in public estimation, and since the arrival of the North Islanders, he seems to have gone right out of favour. Though he has done particularly well since he last raced it will be against him to run out a solid two miles with Star Stranger and Co., who have had plenty of racing to bring them to their best. There seems to be some uncertainty as to whether Footfall will compete in the Cup, but at present he is a sure starter in the big Riccarton race. RAPIER GAINING SUPPORT Rapier is gaining- admirers every day and should he win the Akaroa Handicap at Motukarara. to-day, he will start a firm favourite for the 'Tew Zealand Cup. The race he had in the Champion Plate seems to have benefited him to a certain extent. Te Monanui has arrived at Riccarton in good order, and his connections expect him to run a big race next Saturday. His track work during the next few days will be invested with any amount of interest. BATTLEMENT IN THE BOOM There is a tendency to support Battlement for the Cup. The Martian gelding has done well since his arrival.

from Sydney, and in some quarters it is confidently predicted that he will be the hardest to beat. The champion Limond gelding Limerick seems none the worse for his exertions in the Champion Plate at Trentham, and though he appears to hold a mortgage on the two races at the coming meeting, it is expected that the Derby winner will extend him in the Stead Gold Cup: STEWARDS’ HANDICAP FAVOURITE Eulalie is a good favourite for the Stewards’ Handicap, and there is also solid support for Joy Kingl The hurdler Aberfeldy has raced so well since being restricted to flat racing that it is expected he will touch a short price in the hurdle races at the forthcoming meeting. The Quin Abbey gelding is very well at present. Silver Paper is going on the right way, and as he has improved out of all knowledge since the Wingatui meeting he may extend Childsplay in the Welcome Stakes. Noteworthy, who ran second to Childsplay in the McLean Stakes, will not be a starter in the Welcome Stakes. The Derby candidate Agrion pulled up lame one day last week, but he is all right again, and may be a starter in the classic race. He is fining down with each gallop. COUNT CAVOUR DOING WELL Count Cavour is getting through a splendid preparation, and though the odds are against him winning the New Zealand Cup again this year, his connections expect the Solferino gelding to run a big race at Riccarton next week. The performance of Money Order at Motukarara to-day will be eagerly watched, and if he wins the Flying Handicap he will come into favour for the Stewards’ Handicap. Last Saturday morning he ran six furlongs in the phenomenal time of 1.13 2-5.