AUCKLAND’S GREAT EVENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 218, 3 December 1927, Page 7

AUCKLAND’S GREAT EVENT

Flattering Cup Adjustment

HANDICAPPER’S WORK OF ART

Every Allotment Tells a Story

'I'HE APPEARANCE OF THE HANDICAPS FOR THE AUCKX LAND TROTTING CUP, ONE OF THE GREATEST EVENTS IN THE EIGHT-HARNESS WORLD, PROVES, AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, THAT THE HANDICAPPER HAS ARRIVED AT A DECISION WHICH IS FLATTERING TO ALL THOSE WITH CANDIDATES ENGAGED.

As is customary in light-harness circles, the publication of handicaps for any event is awaited with interest, but especially so when the heat is of such great importance as those which constitute the principal races of the Dominion. Probably by virtue of its additional prize-money and the fact that it carries the stamp of “New Zealand,” the Cup contested each November under the auspices of the Christchurch Metropolitan organisation, ranks as the chief event in the Dominion’s trotting history. But in many respects it cannot compare with the Auckland Cup of 1927. The local club, continuing its march of progress, has brought the big Christmas item to the level of the New Zealand Cup on a time basis. The stake, while not reaching the figure of the Addington heat, is a very liberal one, and these two factors have resulted in the cream of the Dominion’s pacing element being engaged. Sixteen entrants have been handicapped by the Auckland official, Mr. George Paul, arid judging from the flattering handicaps framed it will not be Mr. Paul’s fault if any of the 1G fail to start. The Auckland official, who in his special department, has no superior in the Southern Hemisphere, has evidently given the question extensive thought

and consideration, and although there will always be the few critics to find fault, those who carefully study the whole situation will find little or nothing at which to cavil. If a critic looks for faults on the side of leniency, he will be up against it immediately, as a study of the “time comparisons” given below will show. They may think that the limit horses, none of whom have gone the stipulated time, are getting the worst of the deal, but it must be borne in mind that owners nominating these candidates practically frame their own handicaps. Mr. Paul is not sacrificing the higher grade horses at the expense of those who believe their charges capable of going the presented time or better. Reviewing the field from the front, it was only natural to expect that Concliff, Logan Park, Tom Thumb, Audacious, Machine Gun and the brilliant trotter, Peterwah, would figure on the limit. From a time point of view, Audacious (4.29 2-5) would look to have the advantage, and he is sure to run a great race, and will be one of the early favourites. But Machine Gun. as a result of his fine showing at the October meeting, will have a host of friends, and as he will be bracketed with Mr. McMillan’s good mare, Sea Pearl, who is nicely and justly treated on 4.27, the combination should command the greatest respect. Brackets look as if they will play a prominent part, as the redoubtable Tom Thumb, who must not 1)© overlooked from the front, will have Tala.ro also to assist him to gain a dividend for the stable. The latter is still on 4.27, from which mark he failed badly in the New Zealand Cup, but he may do better at Christmas time. It must be remembered that Talaro won this rich prize last year. Then there is Logan Park, one of the most improved pacers in commission in the Dominion. He will take all sorts of heading off, and will have Concliff as a support. The latter on recent form looks to be the lesser light of the Tomkinson stable. Peterwah is a wonderful trotter, and will not disgrace the square-gaited prestige, but among such a wealth of pasing speed, the Gisborne champion trotter will have his work cut out to get some of the money. Just behind the front lot is Talaro, Sea Pearl, already referred to, and Cardinal Logan, who was one of the warmest pre-post

favourites the New Zealand Cup has produced. llow he ran and was beaten, despite a wonderful finishing effort, is now history, and his Alexandra Park defeats are still fresh in the memory of Auckland’s thousands of trotting enthusiasts. All the same, the writer does not intend to discard Hendrickson’s big pacer, and will look to him to make a big bid to retrieve his lost laurels. His brilliant finish in the Do. miinon’s big heat has not lost him any handicap. Nothing appears on the 24yd. mark, but a likely quartette is on the 36 peg. Jack Potts was supposed to be a big order for the New Zealand Cup, but missed the acceptances. Then he contested the Courtenay Handicap of two miles, won by Tom Thumb, who was in receipt of 72 yards, but the handsome American-bred pacer could not get eloser than fourth. Aliuriri is on a 4.25 mark and is given a fine chance, but is he as good at the present day as his stable mate, Kohara? The latter won the New Zealand Cup like a good one, and has only gone back to 4.25, and is one that will be in the picture when the bird flies out. Anyhow Kohara and Aliuriri will be coupled, so why worry. But what of little Jewel Pointer. the pride of Auckland? If the Cup were run on the last day, few would care to name any horse to beat him, but that good trainer, Jack Shaw, will find it difficult to keep the gross gentleman fit for the opening day. He will not be last at any rate, : and should he get his nose in front at the judge. the Epsom grandstand, j strong as it is. would run the risk of being shaken at the foundations with 1 the uproar. Now comes that solid horse, Sheik. ' trained by that prince of light-harness mentors, Peter Riddle. Sheik has some splendid performances to his credit in this land, and since returning to the Commonwealth has been in the limelight. If Peter brings his charge across, it can be taken for j granted he lias a big show. Prince Pointer, who put up his best two-mile run at Alexandra Park, when he went 4.22 for second money, is on 4.24, and Mills is sure to have this fine pacer at the top of his form. Then conies the champion. Great Bingen, who, after a had spin in the New Zealand Cup, finished close up third. In the Christchurch Handicap, won by Jewel Pointer at Addington, Great Bingen finished third from 9G yards behind, traversing the two miles in the splendid time of 4.21 3-5. The champion has an Alexandra Park

record of 4.19 2-5 for a similar position. He is now on a 4.212; Peg, Mr. Paul again splitting the seconds. No one will complain of the treatment of this great pacer, and if he can still win from here —and there will be a great number to say he can—then he will be a champion indeed. To make an early selection of possibilities, “Abaydos” will take Berry’s bracket (Machine Gun-Sea Pearl), Cardinal Logan, Bryce’s bracket (Ko-hara-Aliuriri), Jewel Pointer, Prince Pointer and Great Bingen. TIME COMPARISONS The figures in parentheses show the best times recorded by the contestant.

P. (placed), W. (win) T. (trotter). Peterwah, T. (p) .. .. (4.30) 4.28 Logan Park (p) . . . . (4.30 1-5) 4.28 Concliffe (w) (4.30 3-5) 4.28 Tom Thumb (w) .. . . (4.30 2-5) 4.28 Machine Gun (w) . . .. (4.30) 4.28 Audacious (w) (4.29 2-5) 4.28 Cardinal Logan (p) (4.27 4-5) 4.27 Sea Pearl (p) (4.26 2-5) 4.25 Kohara (\v) (4.25 4-5) 4.25 Ahuriri (w) (4.25) Talaro (p) (4.24 2-5) 4.27 Jack Potts (w) (4.23 4-5) Jewel Pointer (w) . . (4.23 3-5) Sheik (p) (4.23 3-5) Prince Pointer . . . . Great Bingen (p) (4.19 2-5) 4.21 J