Ahuriri’s Great Victory

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 239, 29 December 1927, Page 6

Ahuriri’s Great Victory

FOLLOWED IN SIRE'S FOOTSTEPS Fine Record of Scotty Bryce

GOOD HORSE TO DRIVE

BY winning' the Auckland Cup in brilliant style from a high-class field, Ahuriri set the seal on his fame as a pacer of exceptional merit and added lustre to his wonderful record in top-hole society. He also emulated the deeds of his illustrious sire Cathedral Chimes.

TT has long been admitted by the best authorities in light-harness circles in the Dominion that the Canterbury trainer, J. Bryce, is one of the very best when it comes to specially preparing candidates for high-class two-mile events. That this has been proved over and over again is demonstrated by the trotting records connected with the two most important events on the calendar, the New Zealand and Auckland Cups. BRYCE’S FINE RECORD

“Scotty,” as he is familiarly known, first won distinction in this respect in 1915, when he trained and drove Cathedral Chimes, then a four-year-old colt by Four Chimes —Jean Armour, to victory in the Auckland Cup, a feat he repeated in the New Zealand Cup of the following year. In 1920 the Southern enthusiast annexed the Auckland Cup with Man o’ War and the performance was repeated in 1921. In 1923 the New Zealand Cup received attention at

Scotty’s hands, and Great Hope, driven by J. Bryce, Jnr., collected the stake. 1925 was the commencement of a wonderful run in the New Zealand Cup for Bryce, who drove Ahuriri, a son of a former winner, Cathedral Chimes, from Muricata, to victory. The following- year Ahuriri again won, and in the recent race for the Dominion’s big prize, Bryce was successful with Kohara. Then came the preparation of Ahuriri for the Auckland Cup, and so well did the dual New Zealand Cup winner thrive on his work that Bryce was again enabled to steer him home at the head of one of the most classy fields that ever contested the great event at Alexandra Park. AHURIRI’S CAREER Ahuriri, who was bred by his owner, Mr. R. M. Morton, gave an early indication of ability when he annexed the

New Zealand Sapling Stakes, the annual test for two-year-olds, in 1922, when he defeated Logan Chief, Bonny Logan and Event. As a tliree-year-old the son of Cathedral Chimes won the Waikato Cup, was second to Pitaroa at Wellington in a 10-furlong flutter,'., third to Acron and Bonny Logan in the Great Northern Derby and unplaced in the Wellington Gold Cup, which was won by liis stable mate, Taraire. The following season Ahuriri again landed the * Waikato Cup, and later on won the Prince of Wales Handicap at the Auckland Club’s autumn fixture, these being his only successes that year. During the 1924-25 season Bryce’s pacer was several times placed, but only once collected the thick end of the purse. That was in the President’s Handicap at Alexandra Park during the Christmas Carnival period. The next year Ahuriri opened his account by winning the New Zealand Cup. from a good field, the places being filled by Great Bingen, Acron, and Great Hope, who was bracketed with the winner. At the Canterbury Park New Year fixture he acted as runner-up

to Peter Riddle’s Sheik in the big event, and in his only other appearance for the season, the Cathedral Chimes horse ran unplaced.

Next year he faced the starter on five occasions, winning once, the occasion being the New Zealand Cup, when Bryce landed him first past the post, followed by Prince Pointer, Talaro, Jack Potts and 10 other high-class two-milers. This was Ahuriri’s greatest achievement and he ran the two miles in 4.25.

PACER’S LATEST SUCCESS

But the success of the brilliant pacer on Tuesday in the Auckland Cup, will go down on the records of the trotting turf as one of the finest of his career. For some time his trainer has been endeavouring to effect a come-back with the Cathedral Chimes horse, and although in the earlier stages Scotty was not over sanguine of success, he did not lose heart, and combining ability with patience and perseverance, had the gratification of seeing his hopes realised.

The little horse, said the genial James, when interviewed by “Abaydos.” after the race, has not always done well when brought to Auckland. “This was hard to understand and thinking it might be caused througn

the change of water, I brought a barrel of the liquid with me,” he remarked. CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK Asked if he had any doubts about

the ultimate result during the race on Tuesday, the Southern mentor stated he did not think the event would be as difficult as it proved. “Half a mile from home,” he said, “I felt Ahuriri was going well within himself and before entering the straight I was confident the race was in safe keeping, although I recognised Jack Potts and Machine Gun would be tough. At the distance I knew it was all over as the little chap responded to my call, and I saw the other pair were beaten.” The reinsman was full of praise for Ahuriri, who, he said, was a great horse to drive. Nothing worries him, and he is just as knowing as a human being. He will respond to every injunction, and does everything exactly as his father used to do. "Yes,” he concluded. "Ahuriri is a chip of the old block.”

Is he back to his best form? was the next inquiry, to which Scotty replied, he did not think so. “When he won the New Zealand Cup the second time,” he remarked, “Ahuriri was in wonderful form and would have gone anything that day.” He is a bonny pacer, one it is a treat to be

GREYMOUTH ACCEPTORS RACING ON FRIDAY Press Association. GREYMOUTH, Wednesday Following are the acceptances the Greymouth Jockey Club’s meetup on December 30: MAIDEN STAKES

associated with, and I only hope 1 can get mare like him,” was the successful cup, trainer’s parting shot. AUCKLAND CUP WINNERS Appended is a complete table showing .the winners of the Auckland Cup . since its inception: 1890— Commodore .. D. Harford 10.6 (late Turpin) 1891— Ranis W. Stevenson 8.49 3-4 1892 Little Ben .. L. Goodwin 8.36 1893 Sandfly, .. S. Tanner 8.50 1-2 1894 Tom Hicks .. E. Sandall 8.4 S TWO MILES 1895 Old Judge. .. E. Sandall 5.31 THREE MILES IS96—Fibre G. Clarke 8.37 TWO MILES

BLOODSTOCK SALE Messrs. Alfred Buckland and Sons. Limited, will hold an important sale of bloodstock at Ellerslie racecourse to-morrow (Friday). The entries include a fine collection of 24 yearling* and two-year-olds from Mr. R. Hannon's Hautapu estate, the sires rspr«* sented being Quin Abbey and King Lupin. Messrs. Roulston Bro»„ of Pul®' kohe, will submit several two three-year-olds, sired respectively w Tea Tray, Romeo and Quin Abbey, addition to young stock, several hw*® in training and brood mares will 1* offered. TROTTING FIXTURES New Brighton T.C.— Dec. 15, IT. Ashburton T.C. —Dec. 25. Westport T.C.—Dec. 26, 27. South Wairarapa T.C.—Dec. 36, Gore T.C.—Dec. 26.

1S97—Awahuri . . .. E. Murfitt 5 32 1898—Duke C . . .. H. Charteris 5.9 1-2 1899—Billy "Wilson . WT. C. Hird 1-" 1900—rob E. Murfitt 5.31 1-2 1901—Thorndean A. Pringle 5.14 3-5 1902—Van Dieman . McCann 5.6 1903—Plain G .. .. L. Robertson 1904—Hebei Boy W r . C. Hird 1905—Le Rosier 1906—Typewriter 4.54 19-07—All Night . . . . 5.15 W. Orange 4.57 1909—Havoc 1910—Floranz 4.53 1911—Bingana . . 1912—Mandarene W. C. Hird 1913—Jewel Chimes. 1914—Steel Bell 1915—Cathedral J. Bryce Chimes .. 1916*—Ad. "Wood A. Julian 4.52 2-5 1917*—Steel Bell . J. Lynch 4.33 4-5 1918—Harold Junr. Net. 4 1919— Nora Creina . 1920— Man o’ War W. Orange 4.34 2-5 1921—Man o' War . 1922—Minton Derbv. 192o—Blue Mountain King .. 1924—Locanda Mac. drick 4.30 2-5 192u—Xels. .Derby W”. j. Tomkinson 4.29 2-5 1927—Ahuriri ~J. Bryce 4.25 3-5

5i furlongs. Mercutio . . 8 13 Smithereen . Miss Cashman S 13 Atone . . . •. Waikaia . . S 13 Toomyvara . Lady Ruth . S 13 Craftsman Jazz Queen . 8 13 Rameses . . . 8 IS FAROl HANDICAP 6 furlongs. Arrowmir . . 3 3 King Cheops , 7 U Scrambler . . 8 13 Spode . . . . . 7 T1 Ayrburn . . 8 4 Grey Finch . . 7 « Rina Mangu . 8 3 Attract . . . 7 « Cali burn . . 8 2 Big Push . . Flaming: Ray 8 2 Benmure . . 7 H Friricess 7 2 Mafalda . . 7 13 Rich Prize . 7 : GREY VALLEY HANDICAP 1 mile. Rascal ... 3 3 Ophir . . . . . 7 12 Fresco .... 3 1 Corn Rigs . . 7 1? Buoyant . . . 8 7 Wharfedale . 7 * Prince Ferouz 8 0 Para 7 fi Moratorium . 7 13 Jarretierre . . 7 5 FIRST HURDLES About 1J miles. Tenterfield 11 12 Gold Town . 19 2 Oriflamb 10 3 Flying Master 9 1<* Red Heather in 5 Diana s Lad 9 7 Clontarf . . . 10 3 Ellah . . . . 9 i OTIRA HANDICAP 6£ furlongs. Prince Ferouz 3 0 Gay Bird . . R 3 Corn Rigs 8 ±0 Rina Mangu . g 2 Bronstell . 8 3 Motor Smash 8 2 Martian Spear S 6 Caliburn . . 8 2 Gas Light 8 4 Orbit . . . STEWARDS’ HANDICAP 6 furlongs. Arrow mir . . 3 3 Princess Kenmore . . . 3 0 Avrburn . . . g 4 Piccaninny . 8 7 Mafalda . . . 7 12 Erin-Go-Grey Finch . Bragh . . . . 8 4 Attract .... Bronstell . . 8 4 FIRST HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP 7 furlongs. Scrambler . . 9 4 King Cheops . 8 7 Gaslight . . . 3 2 Take Take . Flaming Ray 3 l Beaming . . Projector . . 8 0 Cash Box . . 8 1 Rich Prize . 8 12 Salamat. . .. BRUNNER HANDICAP 6£ furlongs. Arrowmir . . 9 0 Para 7 9 Moratorium . 8 8 Spode Royal Land . S *J Birthmark . Som* 1 . 8 1 Saxette . . . Martian Spear 8 0 Benraure . . .