OTAHUHU CUP

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 281, 17 February 1928, Page 7

OTAHUHU CUP

STRONG field engaged KEEN CONTEST ASSURED CONCLIFF THE FAVOURITE To-morrow will witness the twenty-ninth contest for the Otahuhu Cup- when a field of exceptional calibre will take part in the L event. Quality is well repre- " Ited and there is every indication that one of the most thrilling -m3 struggles ever witnessed on the Pa “k will be decided on this occasion. The race for the Otahuhu Cup dates back in reality to 1900. although prior to 1914 the event was known as the Otahuhu Trotting Club Handicap. HISTORY OF THE EVENT V'hile the stake money in the earlier stares of the club’s history was lean coir pared with the enticing and liberal nurses of the present period, nevertheless the contests were keen and inter-

M ting. The i nitial event was won by Royana, with HardPCase and Cob filling the places, and the latter also secured the minor portion of the prize in the two succeeding years, when Joker and Teddy B. were the respective winners. In 1914, the first year that the chief item- was called the Otahuhu Cup, Reuben led a good field home, being piloted by Tom Richards, the two miles being cut out in 4.40. AUSTRALIAN INVASION In 1922 an invasion was inaugurated, when P. B. Glasheen succeeded in lifting the prize with Grand. Voyage, who put up a time record for the race of 4.31 3-5, which has not yet been beaten, although Machine Brick, sire of Machine Gun, equalled the effort in 1926, when J. O’Shea got him first past the post. The Aussies had a royal trot, as following the victory of Grand Voyage, Peter Riddle accom.plished the hat trick, winning in 1923 with Sheik, 1924 with Delavan Quest, and 1925 with Orion. Then Machine

Brick followed suit, and last year the run was stopped by Sea Pearl. It is worthy of note that the favourite for the 1928 Cup is also an ex-Australian ConclilY. 1928 CONTEST To-morrow’s field is a classy one and will be productive of a fine contest. It is worth £I,OOO, while the owner of the winner will receive a beautiful gold cup valued at 100 guineas, which was manufactured by Kohn’s, and is a striking example of their workmanship. The same firm has presented a golds mounted whip, which will be acquired by the driver of the winner. Peter Swift, on the front, is a solid trotter and will make things interesting, but looks to be held safe by The Shrew (4.31). Sh# is a game mare and will see the journey right out. First Carbine, on the same mark, only wants to reproduce his form of previous days to have a great show of lifting the stake. Black Lila has a hard part to play, while the trotter Escapade, good and all as she is, will find her task difficult. But the 4.28 quintette will be on hand and the winner should perhaps come from this line. WARM QUINTETTE Berry has a strong hand with Sea Pearl and Machine Gun, and both are capable of running out a good two miles. Peterwah. the fine trotter, is never bested till the box is passed and ■ - v . I

I h CCnditions are suitable will have a ’■nance second to none. Terence Dil•°n is a dashing pacer and sure to be n tlle Picture, and his admirers are supporting him loyally. Then Concliff. o h °. has ftruck form and displaying i-ieu brilliancy, must be very hard to l °P off. in fact. his chances are *bf°ngly favoured in all parts of the f'onnnion. and what beats Tomkinson’s • lies’nut pacer will be welcome to the stake. The local crack. Jewel Pointer, • a same sort, but with such high'•lass talent in front of him will find difficult. CONCLIFF and TERNCE DILLON are both nicely placed l°°k like sharing the spoils, but ' ev ' vill require to make an extra »rroi if they wish to cut THE SHREW °Ut of the big end of the purse.