Rotorua Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 583, 8 February 1929, Page 10

Rotorua Cup

THERE’S HOPE FOR MERVETTE

First Day’s Card Reviewed

By

“Early Bird.”

ALL roads to-morrow will lead to Rotorua on tlie occasion of the opening of the annual race meeting of the Rotorua Racing Club, for which an excellent programme will be staged, the fields being splendid throughout.

VI7ITH its thermal attractions as a background to a good race meeting there is little necessity to stress the popularity of these Rotorua gatherings. The fields to-morrow are of good quality, so that the class to be seen in action then and on the concluding day, Saturday, should ensure thrilling contests. There are nine left in the Rotorua Cup, including some fine handicap performers, while the sprint has attracted an excellent field of a dozen. The course is reported to be in first-class order. Pchutu High-weight Although there are seven in the opening event, speculation will probably be confined to three —Owairaka, Glena Bay and Bizarro, with possibly Illingar also in the mild boom. Owairaka ran well at Takapuna, but in assessing his dead-heat with Te Money it has to be remembered that the latter had a lot more to do to get up from a backward position. Glena Bay is good, but on his running it is considered that a two-mile race would suit him, for lie is always finishing a bit late. Perhaps_the small field to-mor-row, will assist“'him. Bizarro will go a speedy mile, while Pendennis is to make a reappearance after a long absence. Probably when all is said and done, Glena Bay and Bizarro will be the fancies. Hot Springs Handicap Outstanding in a weak field is the topweight, The Begum, although she has a big weight. The filly was cut about a bit in the Wynyard Plate contest at Takapuna, but that she should have been accepted for suggests that she has recovered. Unoco, The Jack

Jumper, Red Lion, Master Clements, Sea Cob and the speedy Ding Dong all have chances. It seems that The Begum will be first choice, while there should be some money, only if she is absent, for Red Lion and Ding Dong. Mokoia Handicap

Ten fair performers are engaged here. The Lamb raced fairly at Matamata, and Archeen won at his last start, which was at Thames. The Thorn is by now surely approaching his best, but Cynthia N. will need to do better than at Takapuna. Baby Bun may not be quite ready, hut Prince Lu made no race of the High-weight at Matamata last \v ok, and a repetition of that form will make the others go some to catch him. Boomerday, Bahama, Red Day and Palmares (who has been doing well on the track of late) complete the field, and when the final numbers have been rung on it may be seen that most fancied are Prince Lu and Cynthia N. Roto.rua Cup Tho form of all those engaged in the principal event has been good so far this season, for they have all been winners. On top is Mervette, and on

her running a lot has to be said in her favour, her Ellerslie running alone being excellent. Siaosi was beaten by Queen Arch at Matamata, and although he has been allowed 21b for that defeat he may reverse the tables, for he may be the more improved by the outing, despite the fact that it was Queen Arch’s first race since the spring. Le Choucas is either unlucky or not too genuine—a bit of both perhaps—and one always liable to spring a surprise. Schorr is well, and -when at his best, as his form last week suggests, he

may be capable of downing this field. Mosque we do not appear to have seen the best of, and The Lover if he gets a run at all will be dangerous, for he is good. Far North sprang a surprise in the Kawakawa Cup, and Macroom will probably be reserved for the sprint, the ten furlongs being a bit beyond her just at present. It is quite a nice field, a bit tricky perhaps when

it comes to fining them down to two, as backers must do. Perhaps the best supported ■tfvill be Mervette and Siaosi. Waimangu Stakes Not a great deal is known about this lot, but some that have shown pace on the track and in their races to date are Swiftlight, Snow "Prince, Kiri (second at Matamata last week), Red Lion, Dainty Manners, Arcade. I-liata, Royal Lover, Sea Cob and Haviland. Of this number perhaps Red Lion is most entitled to favouritism, but in his absence two that • could be fancied are Royal Lover and Haviland. Geyser Hack Heading the list is that fine horse Hakanoa, but he is also in the next event. Lucy Rose is in hacks again, and YVhaka King and Black Maire both performed well to get seconds last Saturday. Bahama, High Tide, Brampton and Arehette read best of those on the other half of the handicap. Favourite may be Hakanoa, or, in his absence. Black Maire and Lucy Rose. Tourist Handicap

Of the dozen in this open sprint, there are few that can be said to have little chance of pulling it off. Branson has a good horse’s weight, and per- 1 haps he would like a middle distance for preference, which he will get on Monday. In the Shade, too. is probably in as a preliminary to the handicap on tho second day. but of course

with Lady’s Boy it is a horse of a different colour, for this speedy sort must stand a chance. Mervette is preferred in the Cup, and Mosaic, too, may want a middle journey. Macroom won well at Matamata, and so is back to form. Hakanoa will not be outclassed if started, and Liaison and the improving Town Bird will have to be reckoned with. It is an intriguing soft of race, in which Lady’s Boy and Hakanoa (or Liaison) will come in for enthusiastic support. Arawa Park Handicap

There are but half a dozen in the closing event, but they should all go to the post, despite the fact that there are four claiming earlier engagements. These are The Lamb, Schorr, The Thorn and Lucy Rose, yet if reserved for this each would stand an undeniable Chance. The other two are Ti Tree and Te Koroke, the former an improving mare and the latter having run badly at Matamata under the heavier <cale of weights. The two favourites may well be Ti Tree and Schorr. THE RIDERS Following are a few riding engagements for to-morrow: R. McTavish. —The Thorn, Illingar and Gazerin. E. Ludlow. —Mosque, Dainty Manners and Baby Bun. L. Manson. —Queen Arch and Royal Lover. A. Tinker. —Mervette, Archeen and Lucy Rose. J. Cammick. —Palmares, The Lover and Brampton. D. Cotton. —The Begum, Schorr and Liaison. E. Tuohey. —Ding Dong. H. Du lieu. —Maurea. F. McGovern. —Bizarro. A. McGregor. —Owairaka.' Acceptances for the first day are given below.