LARGE ENTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 753, 28 August 1929, Page 12

LARGE ENTRY

ALL THE BEST IN NEW ZEALAND CUP GOOD RACE SHOULD RESULT New Zealand Cups are invariably hard to win. but judging by the nominations received for 1 this year’s event, the big 1 Riccarton race is going to be harder to win than ever, comments the Christchurch “Sun.” As usual, northern representation predominates, but the presence of the best North island gallopers at the November carnival is appreciated, as it tends to first-class racing. The weights for the Cup are not due to appear till September 13. but in the meantime racegoers are. provided with plenty of food for thought, for included in the field are ~uch well-known turf celebrities as Rapier, Prince Humphrey. Corinax. S tar S tra nger, Rapin e. N igh tma rch. His tor ic. an d Oratrix. Nine Auckland-trained candidates figure in the list, which is the most entered for many years. Last year Oratrix, after running second to Jocelyn in the A.J.C. Metropolitan, came back to Riccarton and won the New Zealand Cup under 7.1. and it is quite ori the cards that one of the New Zealand performers at present racing in Sydney will do the same this year. With the advantage of having raced into condition, they should be very fit by the time the Cup carnival rolls round in November, and this seasoning is often a factor toward success in a race like the big Riccarton two miles, which provides the true test for the real stayer. Among the Cup entrants at present racing in Sydney are Oratrix, Concentrate. Paquito. Jaleux, Sea town, and N igh t march. Seatown and Oratrix were both King’s Cup failures, but their earlier form had been so convincing that the probabilities are they will show much improvement at their next starts. It wouid have been impossible not to have been impressed with Oratrix*® win in the last New Zealand Cup. notwithstanding that both Hoj’lake and Rapier were unlucky. Usually the spring months see mares racing far below their best, but apparently Oratrix is an exception, for at this particular period of the year she. reaches the heights of her form. Her dam. Oratress, was ill so a good mare in the spring and early summer, and. like her daughter, she too annexed the New Zealand Cup. Derby and Cups Winner Niglit march was possibly overestimated by Australian handicappers. and to ask a colt like the Riccarton representative to win the Metropolitan under 9.2, the weight adjuster New Zealand Derby. Marton and Dunedin Cup successes. Of course, the Night Raid colt may yet live up to the opinions formed of him. There is no doubting whatever that he is a good horse, but it is fairly safe to predict that C.J.C. handicapper J. Henrys will not assess him at such a high A notable entry tor the Cup is the Auckland crack. Prince Humphrey. In last year’s Auckland Cup he was treated with 7.6. but he was suffering trom injuries at the time received in the Victoria Derby. However, he is not likely to get off so lightly in the Riccarton race. The Duke Humphrey gelding is displaying plenty of improvement on the tracks, and it is predicted that he will soon show a return to his best. East season Prince Humphrey wa* the best horse in New Zealand and Australia over the Derby di-fa nee, and his win in the Rand wick classic in which he brilliantly defeated Mollison, conqueror of Limerick, demon-