AUCKLAND CUP

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 236, 24 December 1927, Page 5

AUCKLAND CUP

SPEED KINGS MEET TRUE STAMINA TEST PROSPECTS DISCUSSED Twelve high-class pacers representing the cream of the talent in New Zealand and including one representative from the Commonwealth, will take part in what is one of the richest events in the Dominion, and when they parade there will be an inquisitive crowd round the bird cage and lawn fences. The performances of the 12 runners have been well studied by followers of the sport f®r some time past, and each one has a certain quota of supporters, with some, of course, more in demand than others. Four will take their departure from the end, three pacers and one trotter, the latter being that fine horse Peterwah. The American-bred squaregaiter is capable of a great effort, but he is up against it in having two such improved and dashing pacers as Machine Gun and Tom Thumb beside him. The former has been in demand ever since the handicaps appeared, his form at the Auckland spring fixture proving him to be a real horse. His victory last Saturday over 10 furlongs was accomplished in such a manner that his position for Tuesday next was further strengthened

Tom Thumb has been on the upgrade since the present season commenced and he has no doubt improved since defeated by Machine Gun in October, but it remains to be seen if he has come on well enough to turn the tables on his previous victor. Tom will run a big horse, but it looks as if Machine Gun will finish again in front of him. Concliffe has not shown anything to recommend him for such a test, and should he win it will create a big surprise, but such things are prone to happen at times. Cardinal Logan, after his extra fine dab at the end of the New Zealand Cup, has not been the same horse, and on his recent displays at Epsom it is l\ard to see him having a say in the final dispute. Sea Pearl also does not appeal, but will be bracketed with Machine Gun. Jack Potts is a splendid pacer, but has to prove his .capability on the Auckland track, while Ahuriri’s form this season would not suggest him as a possible winner. He will be bracketed with Kohara, the New Zealand Cup winner, who is bound to run another great race and may prove equal to landing the big double. What beats Bryce’s charge will be welcome to the stake. Auckland’s f hope, Jewel Pointer, will hold his end up and if he had a race or two into him before cup day J. Shaw’s pacer would have been a good favourite. As it is he will be knocking at the finish. Visitors from across the Tasman will not hear of Peter Riddle’s representative, Sheik, being defeated, and although the ex-New Zealand Cup winner has put up some really fine performances at Epping, he will find it a hard task to concede start to a few of the improved New Zealanders. Then there is the champion of champions, Great Bingen, who is capable of a supreme effort when called upon. His run in the November Cup was full of merit and again he should finish in front of a lot of his opponents. In what promises to be a wonderful race, both from a speculative and spectacular point of view, the order of favouritism of the leading four may be BERRY BRACKET, TOM THUMB, JEWEL POINTER, BRYCE BRACKET.