Rich Prize for N.Z. Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 738, 10 August 1929, Page 16

Rich Prize for N.Z. Cup

NEW CONDITIONS IN BIG RACE

Great Trotting Contest

“ABAYDOS” MAKES EARLY SELECTION

ALTHOUGH practically three months distant, the New Zealand Cup contest of 1929, to be ran at the Metropolitan Club’s spring: carnival at Addington, is already attracting- considerable attention and there is every indication that the field in November will prove the strongest in every respect that has yet tackled the Dominion’s chief light harness event.

The new conditions imposed by the metropolitan body of running the event in two heats and a final will lend additional interest to this year’s competition. Owners, trainers, and trotting fans generally view the innovation with much favour, and those responsible for the new and pleasing state of affairs are to be warmly complimented on the enterprise displayed. The wisdom of the move is indisputable, and will certainly be reflected in the increased interest in the big affair, and keen thrilling contests for the rich and enticing prize money. Two heats are valued at £I,OOO each, with double that amount apportioned to the final, and as heat-winners do not earn a penalty, one«of these could knock up a fine cheque by capturing the final. Place money is being allotted in liberal fashion, and contestants will have an opportunity of picking up a fair amount for minor positions, without their handicap being affected. Some Good Winners Some great performers have won the New Zealand Cup since its inception in 1904. when Bert Edwards drove Monte Carlo home in 4.44 2-5, which time stood as the fastest for the twomil© heat till 1908, when A. Pringle won with Mr. H. F. Nieoll’s Durbar in 4.36. N. L. Price lowered this record by two-fifths of a second in 1913, with Ravenschild, but the following year Pringle again placed the honour to his credit with Win Soon (4.31). In 19.17 the late Manny Edwards scored with Adelaide Direct, who wound up the watch to 4.27 2-5. but this fine effort was destined to crash the next season, when the wonder horse, Author Dillon, gave Ben Jarden a winning drive in 4.2 G 2-5. This record stood till 1924, when the Aussie horse Sheik won for Peter Riddle, tramping 4.25 4-5, but two years later Ahuriri. winning his second successive Cup, knocked the fraction off, while the last contest saw' Peter Bingen beat a great field in the record time of 4.22 1-5. Keen Contests Some keen and spectacular racing has also been witnessed for the big event in the past, but it is doubtful if a more thrilling contest, culminating in an excitement-stirring finish, has been known than that which marked last November’s struggle. While there is no doubt that Ahuriri was a little bit unlucky in missing his

third New' Zealand Cup success, generalship on Jack Kennerley’s part won the day for Peter Bingen, while Great Bingen, who separated the pair at the box, ran the race of his brilliant career.

In the forthcoming contest many of those that took part in the 1928 long-to-be-remembered fight will again take a place in the field, and last year’s winner, Great Bingen, Ahuriri. and Prince Pointer (who received the fourth prize) will be looked for to play a prominent part once more. Defeated candidates in Kohaxa, Waitaki Girl, Terence Dillon, Talaro, Quden’s Own Jack Potts, Black Admiral, Padlock, Jewel Pointer, and Peterwah, may be found in the next field, and Cardinal Logan, who was second in Kohara’s year, will probably be included. Valuable Recruits Two sterling Southern pacers in Kingseraft and Author Jinks have qualified for the great event in the interval, and Logan Park and Quality are now among the eligibles. Auckland can claim a solid representative in Gold Jacket, who last year collected the greatest amount of prize money, wanning among several big items the Auckland Cup. and doing the job in a manner that suggested a New Zealand Cup is not beyond his powers of accomplishment. Independent of those already on the

qualified list, several i.-ic . » v part in the present National fixture have excellent prospects of reaching New Zealand Cup status, and in this connection may be mentioned Dundas Boy, Silk Thread, Glideaway, Roi L’Or, and King Pointer. The latter is now very close to the Cup limit, being handicapped on 4.27, and a second berth at Addington on the first or second day will find him on 4.26 in the National handicap on Friday next. Of course. Hooper's fine pacer may qualify on the last day off the front of the 4.27 big event by putting up the required time, 4.26. Dundas Boy, after

his brilliancy at Auckland under conditions that were all against him, seems assured to reach the Cup mark, either today or Wednesday, while Glideaway, Roi L’Or, and Silk Thread w.%! also make a great effort to get within th? grand circle.

While it is very early to be making a selection, the writer is of the opinion there are several candidates that will appeal strongly even at this stage. Of last year’s field, Ahuriri, Prince Pointer and Kohara are a trio that will be well suited by the "heat racing” conditions, but they will find in newcomers of the Kingcraft, Gold Jacket and Author Jinks calibre worthy and tous - opponents. To these must be added the yet-to-qualify Dundas Boy and King Pointer, and should either or both of these classy customers have tlieir name enrolled on the "eligible* list they will add intense interest to the contests for November’s great event. The Eligibles At present thirty-one horses have fulfilled requirements, which will allow them to be entered for the Dommi ion’s principal light-harness race, but it is quite probable that eight of thes-e will be missing when the nominations are collected. The doubtful brigade comprise Acron, Dalnahine, Great Hope, Logan wood, Man o’ W'ar, Native Chief, Queen’s Own and Sea Pearl. These defections will leave the following twenty-three entrants for Mr. George Paul to handicap, a total that is sure to be augmented by two or three at present racing at Christchurch. The best placed performance of eacr. competitor is also given, and will P of interest to followers of the sP O7 ** j wishing to try their skill at handicapPing. Great Bingen, 4. 19 2-5 (second)Ahuriri. 4.20 3-5 (third). Waitaki Girl. 4.22 (third). Prince Pointer, 4.22 (second). Peter Bingen, 4.22 1-5 (first). •Towel Pointer, 4.22 1-5 (second)Peterwah. 4.23 4-5 (first). Jack Potts, 4.23 4-5 (first). Author Jinks, 4.24 2-5 (first). < Gold Jacket, 4.24 2-5 (third). Talaro, 4.24 2-5 (third). Terence Dillon, 4.25 (first). Imprint, 4.25 1-5 (second). Machine Gun, 4.25 2-5 (second). Black Admiral, 4.25 2-5 (second). Kohara, 4.25 4-5 (first). Daphne de Oro, 4.26 (second)* Logan Chief. 4.26 1-5 (second). Quality, 4.26 2-5 (third). Padlock. 4.26 3-5 (first). Logan Park. 4.28 (first). Cardinal Logan. 4. 27 4-5 (tl»i ; Kingcraft. 4.28 4-5 (first). . a£e c. Of the above mentioned cana i Cardinal Logan. Kingcraft. Park. Padlock and Quality ia ' e .T, v i»’admission to the select circle oy j tue of having been handicap?® J 4.26 mark.