Great Race Promised in Adams Memorial

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1004, 21 June 1930, Page 9

Great Race Promised in Adams Memorial

History of Popular Heat 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 event which conies up for decision on the final day of the carnival, and never fails to attract a big field of good-class contestants.

As an item on the Auckland winter j and previously on the autumn ! schedule, the Adams Memorial has i long held a place. Originally the heat J was run over 13 furlongs, but in 1924 tho distance was extended to two miles and immediately became a popular contest with owners, trainers and tho 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

t'aised the stake to a fine sum, and the gold trophy acts as a further incentive to owners to compete in this event. Tho class has also been tightened by degrees during tho last few veal's, I and now stands at the classy limit of 4.36, which has naturally drawn a high standard of competitor. Canzonetta First Winner Since its inception, the Adams Handicap has provided some stirring contests, and lias 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 the late B. P. Edwards with Canzonetta, a mare that is still owned at the Mardella farm, and is rendering good service as a brood mare. Mintson was another solid customer which can lay claim to winning this event, I and others in the pre-cup days were Prize Pearl and Manuka Park. The handsome American horse, Ballin. with Jack Shaw behind, was the j lucky contestant in 1929, owner Freeth j having the honour of receiving the first j gold cup presented by Mrs. Adams. , The distance was still a mile and a- i half, 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 j club decided to make the Adams i 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 tho new conditions, Jewel coming home in 4.38. 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 U 926, and the limit was reduced to 4.40. That good mare Sea Pearl, who afterward climbed to the top of the light-harness ladder, scoring a popular victory in 4.46 in slow going. Down came the limit to 4 39 in 1927, and a lino 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. At the 1928 function the limit of this popular event was 4.37, and a fine field contested the race. Pageant, e dual winner on the opening day, was a pronounced favourite, but he was left standing over the final stages by Taipare, who was at a good price and fairly revelled in the soft going. How Reremai Qualified Last year’s contest was full of incident. The limit was tightened to 4.35, and to become eligible for competition some local aspirants were entered in tho South in tighter class items and when handicapped they were able to fulfill tho Adams Cup requirements. One of these was Reremai, who, on the opening day, was beaten out of a place in a 4.38 class off the limit. She was at a great price in the Memorial Handicap and the muddy conditions suited

her down to the ground and home she rolled, with the prime fancies, Evelyn Locanda and Linkman, filling tho places. Since then Reremai lias made a name for herself by winning on a good track in 4.26 2-5, and is now racing in the higher grade. For Monday’s Adams Cup struggle tho 4.36 limit has proved attractive and there promises to be a large and high-class field seen in action. Today’s racing will naturally throw further light on the position for Monday. Many aspirants for the handsome gold cup aro competing this afternoon over various distances, and as they sow so should they reap.” However, judging by the experience of the last few seasons, it will not occasion surprise to find some little-fancied candidate again securing the coveted laurels, Will History Be Repeated? Those most in favour before the appearance of the adjustments are Harold Logan, Vecto, Warplane, Enawah, Neeoro. Mountain Dell and Wilma Dillon. In addition to Enawah, who beat Logan’s Pride at Hawera the second day, Alan McMillan will have Brutus to help him out and should the footing be in a soft state the old Hal Zolock gelding will be one to be seriously considered. Harold Logan has qualified in similar fashion to last year’s winner and he may repeat the Manger© mare’s performance, and Vecto is in the same street. A greatly improved pacer is Harold Logan, who should take a power of beating, but he cannot afford to make any lapses at the starting gate, or he will find

Warplane and Alan McMillan’s pair hard to head off again at the end. "Abaydos” appends the following table showing winners of the race since it became the Adams Gold Cup. The order of favouritism is given in parentheses, and it will be observed no fav ourite has yet succeeded in securing the trophy. Distance, One Mile and a-half 1922 Ballin (7), J. Shaw .. .. 3.29 2-5 Brendo (favourite), third. 1923 Anselm (3), R. A. McMillan 3.32 Key de Oro (favourite), unplaced. Distance, Two Miles 1924 — Jewel (7), J. T. Paul .. .. 4.3 S Pakoti (favourite), unplaced. 1925 — Goldman (5), S. J. Roe .. 4.39 Oakhampton (favourite), unplaced. Meeting Held in June 1926 Sea Pearl (3). R. B. Berry 4.46 Silk Thread (favourite) unplaced. 1927 Uncle Bert (12), M. B wards 5.11 2-o Great Earl (favourite), unplaced. 192S—Taipare (6), R. A. McMillan 5.15 Pageant (favourite), second. 1929—Reremai (10), G. T. .Mitchell 517 2-5 Linkman (favourite), third.