Premier Trotting Event

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 224, 10 December 1927, Page 7

Premier Trotting Event

ROWE CUP AT CHRISTMAS Cream of Square-Gaiters GREAT CONTEST ANTICIPATED The Auckland Trotting Club holds the proud distinction of staging the greatest square-gaited event in the Dominion on its Christmas programme. This is the Rowe Cup, of £I,OOO, with a 4.36 limit, the toughest class of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

With such a valuable stake attached t to a limit that provided for classy trot- i ters only, it was natural to expect a ] great gathering of the speedy un- i hoppled clan for the event. The nom- ’ inations gave proof of this and prac- < tically all horses in this section were j entered for the great race. The most ] noticeable absentee from the list is t Trampfast, who on his last visit to 1 Auckland tramped two miles in 4.30, ] and probably his owner did not feel ; inclined to give away start to some good performars of the 16 handicapped by Mr. George Paul, in his tradesmanlike style, some of those on the front line cannot hold a very strong hand, but Happy Rosa, who has shown good form since crossing to Australia, is one that must command respect if he is brought to the fixture. Rose Bingen won the big prize two years ago, but has not done anything of note since. Sister Beatrice has shown fine improvement of late and is just the class of mare that should reach the highest rung of the ladder, although she may be better served Avith another year over her head. Peter Dean does not appear to be coming on as well as anticipated, while Tradesman is certainly not shaping like the winner of such a classical trot. AUCKLAND’S HOPE The Auckland cracks, and, in fact, Auckland’s hopes, Betty Moko and Waikaha, are on a 4.35 mark and tiie public can rest assured the Mangeretrained pair will not disgrace the province they are representing. In last year’s Rowe Cup Waikaha conceded Betty Moko 24 yards and a head beating, but during the intervening period the daughter of Peter Moko came right out of her shell by Avinning a double at the Auckland winter meeting in dashing style. At the October fixture Betty Avhile in receipt of 12 yards from J. T. Paul’js consistent square-gaited gelding, finished just in front of him, being third to Young Blake and Trampfast, with Waikaha fourth. While there Avill be a fair division of opinion in respect to the merits of the local representatives, the Avriter inclines to the belief that the Gold Bell gelding Avill finish in front of the Peter Moko mare. IN THE VERY N-EXT ROW But in the A'cry next row comes Elzear, Young Blake, the poAA r erful Tomkinson bracket John Mauritius and Napland, and Avhen all in form what a fine lot of trotting machinery is stor#.l up here. Napland eahrly last season Avas considered in the first flight, but his subsequent form showed that he did not come right and it is doubtful if he will be ready for such a race this year. John Mauritius Avas well in the boom two seasons back, but last year he had a lean time. That the Mauritius gelding has not forgotten the art of trotting he demonstrated at the recent Metropolitan Cup carnival, Avhen he Avon the Sockburn Handicap in great style, beating some good horses. Young Blake’s display at Auckland in October put him on side Avith a large number and his Rowe Cup prospects were even that early considered rosy. But in his subsequent racing the Trotting Stakes AA r inner of 1923 has not reproduced his Epsom form. In the thousand-pound Dominion Trot at Addington last month (4.38 class) Young Blake had everything in his favour, but failed at the crucial moment and it was left to his stable mate, Elzear, to pull the race out of the fire. And just lioav brilliantly the daughter of Petereta made amends for the failure of her companion is now a question of turf history, and Tomkinson’s mare \A r ill give the heads somethig to think about Avhen she is harnessed up for the Rowe Cup. Three solid customers in Judge Hancock (4.33), Peter Swift (4.32) and Money Spider (4.31) Avill, if started, add interest to this attractive event. Judge Hancock, the American-bred square-gaiter, the year before last put up some tall performances and he was heralded as one of the best in the land. When the son of Judge Maxey—Mag-

gie Hancock left the land of the “Stars and Stripes” he Avas acclaimed a trotter Avith a great future. Last season he was off the scene, but signalled a return to activities by running Elzear to a head in the Dominion Trot at Addington, in Avhich he conceded the mare 2 4 yards. When the ex-Yankee strikes his best form he will be knocking Cor some money. Peter Swift hails from the Withers stable and his performances last season were full of merit and included a win in the big race at Ashburton in June, when he beat a good field of pacers. Money Spider made enthusiasts talk early last year and again this season and he has already collected some good stake money, including the Bollard Memorial Handicap at Wellington in September, Avhen by his bulldog finish he cut the pacers out of the money. KEEN RIVALRY The rivalry between Peter Swift and j Money Spider is keen and interesting, j Iri the Queen Mary Handicap at the i Addington national fixture in August, Peter SAvift (24) defeated Money Spidbr (36) by a neck, both trotters finishing iri front of a host of pacers, including William the Great, Fight Ever. Lady Dun more. Stunt Artist and Bell Harold. On the concluding day Mr. Brinkman placed the pair on the same mark—B4 yards—in the Addington Trot, and after a great set-to Bryce’s gelding Avon by a neck. Now Peter SAA'ift will have the l adA’antage of the 12 yards, Avhich made just the little bit of difference at their first outing. THE CRACK-A-JACKS This brings the revieAV to the back markers. Peterwah and Escapade, and in gauging their respective merits and assessing them with the rest of the

field, the Auckland adjuster has adopted the split-seconds policy, Avhich he tested and found to work smoothly at the local spring fixture. PeterAvah, who has a record at Alexandra Park of 4.30 2-5, is handicapped at 4. 29£., and he must be kept in with by followers of the game. At National time the handsome Etawali horse went a great race among the pacing fraternity in the National Cup and finished second to Imprint. Later

in the day the Gisborne crack trotter contested the Addington Trot from 120 yards behind and put up a fine performance in getting almost on* terms with Money Spider and Peter Swift at the post, after losing a lot of ground through a bad break. Escapade, known familiarly as New Zealand’s Hotting queen, with the remarkable record of 4.27 1-5, put up at Addington when she defeated a strong team of pacers * in the memorable Easter Handicap, is on a 4.28 & mark, and cannot by any stretch of imagination be counted out of the contest. In fact, she has been given every encouragement to make the trip and Avill only require to be at the top of her form to be on the spot when the judge is reached. Prior to the NeAv Zealand Cup contest the Nelson Bingen-Country Belle mare was trotting great guns at NeAv Brighton and it was even rumoured that she had run a round in about 4.24. However she did not get any money in the NaAV Zealand Cup, but that should not hinder her from getting some portion of the in the richly endowed Rowe Cup. Half a dozen possibilities are Waikaha, Elzear, Judge Hancock, Money Spider. Peterwah and Escapade.