High-Class Horses Billed for Keen Trot

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 696, 22 June 1929, Page 11

High-Class Horses Billed for Keen Trot

ADAMS MEMORIAL HISTORY OF POPULAR RACE There is not an event staged at the Auckland Trotting Club's winter fixture that creates greater interest or a keener contest than the Adams Memorial Gold Cup, an avent which comes up for decision on the final day of the carnival, and never fails to attract a big field of good-class contestants. A S an item on the Auckland winter and previously on the autumn schedule, the Adams Memorial has long held a place. Originally the heat was run over 12 furlongs, but in 1924 the distance was extended to two miles and immediately became a popular contest with owners, trainers, and the general public. In 1922 Mrs. Adams generously presented a beautiful gold cup valued at 100 guineas, to accompany the winning stake, and this handsome gift has been continued annually. The club has in its march of progress raised the stake to a fine sum, and the gold trophy acts as a further incentive to owners to compete in this event. The class has also been tightened by degrees during the last few years, and now stands at the classy limit of 4.35, which has naturally drawn a higher standard of competitor. , Earlier Winners Since its inception, the Adams Handicap has provided some stirring contests, and has been won on occasions by horses that have gone on to a higher circle of trotting society. Away back in 1915 the heat was won by B. P. Edwards with Canzonetta, a mare that is still owned by the Otahuhu sportsman, and is rendering him good service as a brood mare. Mintson was another solid customer

which can lay claim to winning this event, and others in the pre-cup days were Prize Pearl and Manuka Park. The handsome American horse, Baltin with Jack Shaw behind, was the lucky contestant in 1922, owner Freeth having the honour of receiving the first gold cup presented by Mrs. Adams. The distance was still a mile and ahalf, and Ballin won in 3.29 2-5, the limit being 3.35. Next season the programme committee reefed the limit sails to 3.33, and Anselm, who later won many a good stake, was the successful aspirant for the honour. Distance Increased When arranging the 1924 card, the club decided to make the Adams Memorial a two-mile go, and it was open to horses who could tramp 4.42 or better. J. T. Paul gained the distinction of landing the first cup under the new conditions, Jewel coming home in 4.35. Then Tom Roe had a turn, Goldman catching the judge’s eye the following year, registering 4.39. The pruning shears were again requisitioned in 1926, and the limit was reduced to 4.40. That good mare Sea Pearl, who has since climbed to the top of the light-harness ladder, scoring a popular victory in 4.46 in slow going. Down came tho limit to 4.39 in 1927, and a fine field paraded for the contest, which was staged on a sticky, soft track, the journey occupying 5.11 2-5. The winner was a big outsider in Uncle Bert, who, relishing the conditions, cleared right away from his opponents, to give M. B. Edwards a comfortable drive and an easy win. Possibles for Monday’s Race Last year the race was for a 4.37 or better class, and a solid field resulted. Again tho footing conditions were very bad, and Taipare strolled home in 5.15. In Monday’s contest the limit is reduced to 4.35, and this has enticed some high-class horses to enter the lists. The form displayed today by Adams Cup aspirants will give a good line on their prospects, but with Evelyn Locanda, Linkman, Maiwliariti, Stoney, and Wrac-kler likely to measure strides, the race is full of possibilities. Old Goldman will probably make an attempt to capture the handsome trophy for the second time, and he is just a likely sort to affect a surprise if one is in store this year.