Punters Badly Hit in Otahuhu Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 905, 24 February 1930, Page 13

Punters Badly Hit in Otahuhu Cup

Great Peter Absent

Mishap to San^ower THE Otalmliu Cup of 1930 will long be remembered as a double body blow to punters. The withdrawal of Great Peter an hour before the race east a gloom among early hackers, while Sunshower’s mishap after going two furlongs left the majority of machine speculators without any monetary interest in the contest.

Great Peter contracted a chill, the effects of which grew worse after he arrived on the scene, and when it was found there was no hope of improvement his party promptly scratched th© horse at 1 p.m. With Great Peter out of the road tlie public pounced on Sunshower as tho “good thing,” R. Berry’s mare carrying £1,837, almost £I,OOO more than th© next choice, the KoharaNelson Tasker bracket. Sunshower began brilliantly from the 24-yard mark, and before the furlong peg was reached had taken charge, and it was early anticipated that the Auckland-owner pacer would take all sorts of beating. There was disappointment in store, however, for her army of admirers, and the end came quickly. How It Happened Passing the mile post Sunshower jumped a shadow on the track, and as Berry steadied his charge Native Prince, who was following closely, collided with her. The impact hurled both R. Berry and J. Shaw out of the sulkies, and Native Prince, getting clear, continued in the race unattended. He paced freely all the way, but was a source of annoyance to some of the competitors. One of the worst sufferers in this respect was Padlock, who, with a circuit to go,, was racing close to the leaders. Leaving the straight, W. Hughes made a dash with the champion, but the driverless horse would not be passed, and Padlock, unable to get through, lost a lot of ground, which he never made up. It was a pleasing feature, however, that no accident occurred to other drivers or their charges. Native Prince, after the race, was showing leg trouble, and may not be fit to start again at the meeting. How the Race Was Run Torpedo Huon broke at the start, but soon settled down, and when the mishap occurred L. McMahon went to the front and passed the first half-mile

station in 1.11. Nelson Tasker. Machine Gun and the driverless Native Prince were his nearest attendants at this stage. Torpedo Pluon led to the mile in 2.15, ana as the field swept past the stand Nelson Tasker, Machine Gun and Native Prince were bunched behind the leader, with Padlock on their heels, closely followed by Kohara, The Abbey and Free Advice. L. McMahon was still first, as the mile and a-halt' was left behind in 3.25, where Machine Gun was moving up at a sound rate. Passing the quarter-mile post Machine Gun was showing the way to Free Advice, who had put in a good run, Nelson Tasker,

WHITE SATIN

INELIGIBLE FOR WEDNESDAY’S CONTESTS PUBLIC WANTS TO SEE HER By tramping 12 furlongs on Saturday in record timp, and registering a shade worse than 2.21 to the mile, the crack three-year-old trotter, White Satin, is ineligible to start in the improving trotters race on Wednesday. The Suburban Handicap, for which Air. Geo. McMillan’s filly was entered on tho second day of the carnival carries the proviso, “for horses- that have not won at better than 2.23 to the mile at time of starting.” Having won on Saturday in the excellent time of 3.31 4-5 for a mile and a-half White Satin immediately put herself outside the class for which the event was arranged. The early hour of the Trial Trot on Saturday precluded a large number of people from seeing the champion three-year-old daughter of Wrack and Pearl Pointer in action, while hundreds who attended other functions on Satui'day

were looking forward to seeing the season’s trotting wonder on Wednesday. Chance for Fresh Record If. the club could see its way clear to offer some inducement for owner McMillan to send the filly against her record over the 12 furlongs, or attempt a mile record for three-year-old trotters, no doubt it could be arranged. Mr. McMillan is one of the best sportsmen in the game, and always out to assist clubs with his- string. If the suggestion is adopted, the public will not be slow to seize the opportunity of seeing Roy Berry’s Trotting Stakes candidate displaying her prowess on Wednesday. The Stakes will be run at Forbury Park in May and the Auckland-owned filly is now a warm favourite for the square-gaited classic.

The Abbey and Kohara. With the Last lane entered The Abbey raced through and challenged Machine Gun, but A. McMillan’s pacer was full of fight and hung on to win by a long neck. Kohara was three lengths

back third, a neck in front of Torpedo Huon, who was followed by Jewel Pointer, Padlock, Free Advice and Nelson Tasker. Trophies Presented At the conclusion of the race the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. Baildon, in a congratulatory speech presented the handsome cabinet of cutlery which accompanied the stake to Mr. R. A. McMillan, owner of Machine Gun. He warmly complimented the recipient on his achievement as trainer and driver of the winner. A small silver cup, donated for the winning driver, was also handed to Alan McMillan, and cheers were given for him and his steed.