WELLINGTON FIXTURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 222, 8 December 1927, Page 6

WELLINGTON FIXTURE

NEW ZEALAND GOLD CUP GOOD FIELD ENGAGED EXCITING CONTEST PROMISED THE New Zealand Trotting Cup, the chief event decided during the year at Wellington, comes up for decision on Saturday, December 10, and the 1927 contest pro■»mises to prove as interesting as its predecessors. Eighteen nominations were received for this item, which is worth £3OO, while the owner of the successful contestant becomes the happy possessor of

a beautiful gold cup valued at £IOO The class is 4.34—a handy one—and has attracted a good class of competitor. Of those entered, 10 have withstood their ground after acceptance day. Three of the runners figure on the end of the handicap, and have some pretensions to Cup honours. Pan Yan may not be quuite ready to see out such a stubborn contest, but Stunt Artist occasionally works some big stunt at Hutt Park. Menember is a solid customer, and races well at Petone. In September the Logan Pointer gelding beat all in the Bollard Memorial Cup, except the winner, Money Spider. Silk Thread is just behind the front lot, and he will appeal to a good number. In fact, the American-bred horse registeredN his only winning performance last season at Petone. when he

beat a good field easily in a tick over 4.34. Since then the son of Bingen Silk has been unfortunate in some of his essays, but he appears to be coming right again. William the Great comes next on 4.32, and he is one of the most improved horses in his class. He showed great dash at the finish of a two-mile heat at Epsom in October, and has since silenced strong opposition at Addington. He should not be overlooked at Wellington. x Bonny Logan is developing staying tendencies, and finished third the other day to Lalnahine and Author Jinks at Forbury Park, which must entitle her to respect. Three solid customers appear on the 4.30 mark—Harold Thorpe, Fight Ever, and Logan Park, and any one might easily prove hard to keep out of the money. Fight Ever does not seem to be going away freely, and Harold Thorpe has latterly shown unevenness in his races. His second to Lalnahine at Oaniaru, however, looks a good guide in view of the latter’s wonderful form since. Logan Park is one of the most improved pacers in commission, and will prove the stumbling block to a good number who consider they can lay claim to the thick end of the wallet. Last, but by no means least, comes Ahuriri, who is handicapped on 4.25, the same mark as Mr. Paul placed him on in the Auckland Cup. When J. Bryce’s candidate won the New Zealand Cup in 1926 he established the record for the race, 4.25. If lie is to have a show at Alexandra Park it Christmas he must be hard to keep off at the Ilutt. In what promises to be a splendid race, WILLIAM THE GREAT, LOGAN PARK, HAROLD THORPE, and AHURIRI may claim most attention from backers. The big Wellington event was ineti-

tuted in 1916, when Mr. E. X. Leire 8 Great Audubon, driven by the late K; McMillan, captured the prize. In O. E. Hooper drove Audacious, a son of Great Audubon, to \ictory, and theis a good prospect of still another of the Peter the Great horse bem? returned this year’s winner in Willi a

the Great. Appended is the list of previous winners:— „ 1916 -Great Audubon, R. McMillan. 1917 Whispering Willie, J. H. ISIS—WiII O’ the Wisp. R. Allen. t< * 1920 Dean Dillon. A. Fleming. 4 -4 S 1921 Koike's Drift, K. J. • M “ nro ' .>t 1922 Locanda Dillon. O. E. Hooper. •> 1923 Taraire, J. Bryce 4.30 ■>-“•_ -s. 1924 Locanda Mao, A. Fleming, 1925 Audacious, O. E. Hooper, 1926 Dolly Dillon, P. Ridddle, < , - 1927 Peter Bingen, J. J. Kenneriey. *•