AWAPUNI GOLD CUP

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 329, 14 April 1928, Page 6

AWAPUNI GOLD CUP

A POPULAR RACE NEW RACE WITH A HISTORY During th© 14 years in which the Awapuni Gold Cup has . been in existence this annual contest, which graces the programme at the autumn meeting of the Manawatu Racing Club, has been instrumental in bringing before the public some of the finest specimens of horseflesh which have figured on the- New Zealand turf. Not only has the race attracted-great horses, but it lias provided some highly stirring contests. Instituted in 1915, the battle for supremacy, in the initial year saw Chortle, one of the best middle-distance performers of his time, annex the honours by a head from' Balboa, with Merry Roe another head away. Figuring among the also rans was Warstep, the previous Auckland Cup winner—an event which Balboa was to go on and win that same year. The following year marked the appearance of that great mare Desert Gold, who duly won and then annexed the honours in the two succeeding contests

for supremacy. There had been considerable speculation prior to the actual day as to the outcome of her third essay, for meantime there had loomed upon the horizon another turf champion in Biplane and people came from all quarters of the Dominion and, indeed, from Australia, to witness the battle for supremacy. However, it was the fortune of war that Biplane was destined never to fulfill his engagement, for he was scratched for the event at 7.30 o’clock the evening before the race. The crowd gave natural expression to their disappointment and the Lowry colours received great receptions by way of contrast on the day itself when Finmark paved the way to a still further success by the wonderful mare later in the day. Desert Gold Beaten Desert Gold’s fourth appearance as a candidate for cup honours was fated to b e marred by defeat when, in 1919, Sasanof beat her in the record time of 2.4 3-5 —a race record which still stands. Neither Sasanof nor Desert Gold figured in the field the following year, new stars having loomed up in the racing firmament of the Dominion in Amythas and Arrowsmith. Rain spoilt the contest to some extent and Amythas finding the conditions more to his liking, won by a length from Arrowsmith and Vagabond, the lastnamed having won the New Zealand Cup earlier in the season. won again in 1921 when he accounted for the New Zealand St. Legei* winner, Maioha, and other high-class performers. Outsiders Score The 1922 contest was remarkable for the defeat of Amythas, who had just previously won the Trentham Gold Cup, by two outsiders of the field in Marqueteur and Trespass, the favourite having suffered interference at the home turn. Thespian won from a moderate field the following year, while in 1924 Ballymena decisively defeated Pilliewinkie and Winning Hit. Later on, when building up a great record across the Tasman, Ballymena came to a premature end. The 1925 field was somewhat poor in quality. Suggestion proving to be the winner, but 12 months later found another select field brought together including Rapine, Reremoana, Grand Knight and Mask. The distance was considered to be somewhat short for Rapine, but he surprised patrons by jumping into the van after a couple of furlongs and leading throughout to beat Rerefnoana by a length with Grand Knight right up in the fast time of 2.4 4-5. Rapine made a bold bid to add yet another contest to his credit last year, but the task of giving 101 b to “the Limond gelding Commendation proved too much, a length separating the pair with Piuthair finishing on gamely in third place a head back. It was a

great race from the distance, the advantage which had been held by Commendation having been steadily decreased as the challengers fought to overtake him. This year’s contest finds, with the exception of Limerick and Commendation, all the Dominion’s best claiming entries- and another stirring contest should materialise next Wednesday. SPORTSMAN PASSES POPULAR MANAWATU FIGURE (Special to THE SUXJ PALMERSTON N., Friday. By the death of Mr. J. G. Collins, of Palmerston North, which occurred to-day, following upon a lengthy illness borne with great fortitude, the ranks of owners have lost a worthy member and a true sportsman. Owing to failing health Mr. Collins had disposed of the two horses he h id in training, Mister Gamp passing into the hands of Mr. E. W. Collins, of Newbury, brother of deceased, and owner of Arrow Lad, the winner of the Mangaone Handicap on the opening day of the recent Feilding meeting, im. runner-up to Cimabue in the Railway at Trentham; while Skyrider had been taken over by trainer J. P. Coyle, in whose care the latter had been since entering upon her educational duties. Mister Gamp. who is an Australian gelding by Bronzetti—Brolly, had carried the sea-green and moss-green colours of his former owner with a very fair degree of success, noth on the flat and over the fences; indeed, the chestnut accounted for the opposition at Levin when he made his fi •siappearance in the role of jumper. At the Otaki meeting just previously Mister Gamp had captured the hack seven-furlong event each day in meritorious fashion. A great mud horse, he had found the track conditions then prevailing very much to his liking, and he had smothered the opposition over the final stages, despite the fact that he had been required to come from the rear. Skyrider. a three-yeefr-old filly by Day Comet —Rawea, has done little, racing as yet, but as she has shown a fair amount of pace in her outings in private, she might well develop into a very useful sort. OWNED LORELEI File late Mr. Collins had long been associated with the turf and probabiv the best thoroughbred he ever ovvned was Lorelei, with whom he won the Manawatu Cup in 1895, and again In the following year. Lorelei, who was by Cruiser—Laurel, raced in the colours of several owners, and. in addition to her dual Manawatu Cup successes, she also placed the Foxton and Rangitikei Cups to her credit. At the conclusion of her racing career she passed into the hands of Mr. J R McDonald, who bred Hinerangi (by RsmsiD-Uhi), Victoria Park (by Sylvia • Greenleaf (by Sou'wester), Vigil (by Musketry) and Laurel Wreath (bv Lonqueror). Lorelei died in J'Jll.

WINTER RACING SEASON IS APPROACHING

GREAT NORTHERN ENTRIES Ihe Great Northern meeting held annually at Ellerslie in June has long since won a place wfith the most popula^* tUr : es in the Racin S Calendar. 1 hat the Auckland Racing Club is shnU 1 ”i, ln + ed i that the "inter gathering £ 11 not lo . ae any Of the fame that nas appropriately come to it, pointed evidence is forthcoming in that the £ 14,600 is offered as prizemoney in connection with the aomeeting, which is fixed to i f °? atur day, Monday and Wednesday, June 2, 4 and 6. Nominations for the following everts close next Friday, April 20, at 5 p.re., 'Mth the secretary, Mr. W. S. Spence: Northern Hurdle Race, of £2,000 Vr’ « lle »= Cornwall Handicap, of L 1,000, 1.1 miles: Great Northern Steeplechase, of -C 2,000 about 3 rmles; King George Handicap, of £7r,o* ] furlongs; York Handicap, of £730 f r’U'v : L nd " inter Steeplechase. of about 3 miles.