THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10135, 4 November 1910, Page 6

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

(By "Zetland.")

The first New Zealand Cup was run

in 1883, so to-morrow's raco will bo the twenty-seventh contest for the principal racing honour of the ycai. For at least two months prior to tho decision of the two miles event the interest of thousands of the New Zealand sporting public is unmistaKablv evinced in the principal contestants. Their winning at fixtures held just previous to the Canterburygathering is closely watched, and then the news relative to the track work at Luccarton during the last fortnight is eagerly read and duly commented upon. This year it is expected that there will be about 12 starters, and the race bears such an open appearance that at least eight of the candidates have been solidly backed, and are supposed to have undoubted chances of success. The contestants with proved staying ability are Diabolo, Taskmaster, Bridge, ltigoda, and Outlander, but notwithstanding this there are many who highly assess -ie long-distance prospects of Los Angelos, Sandstream, Merriwa, Kopu, and Martist. track work in recent years has taught the lesson to backers that too much reliance cannot be placed on what is actually witnessed on the training grounds. From year to year winners come from the ranks of the horses that accomplish only ordinary work, while the "record-breakers" are generally beaten. To quote instances of this would be to take up too much space. Although it can be said that Wairarapa is ever largely interested in the big race, this district has not yet been successful with a candidate owned here, although it can claim to have bred I'oseleldt, the winner in 1893. This undoubtedly fine performer was bred by the late Mr J. C. Yallauce, of Kalmmingi, and at a clearing sale in Masterton was purchased as a foal at foot with her dam Rose d'Amour, by Mr \V. Douglas, of Hawke's Bay, in whose colours she was victorious. In the year 1885 the principal honour was nearly attained by Wairarapa with the aid of Mr I'. F. Tancred's roan horse, Administrator, or.e of the fastest, gamcst, and most brilliant animals

ever broil iu tne colony. Carrying Bst lib in a field of sixteen lie was beaten by half a length by the lightweighted Fusillade, 6st 71b. Had that half length been reversed much coin of the realm would have come to this district, as the result of the throe and a half minutes' gallop, for tiie owner would nave collected £SOOO from the fielders, while followers of the stable had backed the son of The Premier to win a like amount. In 1906 Masterton was represented by Letherin, trained by W. Garrett. The bay did excellent work previous to the race, but caught cold the day before the contest, and running a sterling race under the circumstances finished in fourth position, behind Star Rose, Multifid and St. Joe. In the following year this district sent Mahuta to battle for premier honours. Owing to the exceptionally wet winter the horse was somewhat short of work on the convincing day, and although lie led from the rise of the barrier, until well into the straight, began to tire, and finished a close fourth to Frisco, Master Delaval and Lapland. This year the Wairarapa entrants did not stay in after the second acceptance, so the time is not yet

when we can claim a New Zealand

Uup winner. tne only contestant on this year's field that had a connection with Wairarapa is tho black horse Diabolo, by Stepniak—Tortulla, the latter being by Torpedo—Honeysuckle, which was bred by tho late

IMr ,T. C. Vallance. Kino years ago j the Cup was won by Mr Douglas I Gordon's Tortulla, and to-morrow her J son will go to the post at Riecarton

to do battle against the best of present day performers. In writing of the Torpedo marc I am reminded of an incident connected with her win. About six weeks before the race a South' Wairarapa lady dreamt a vivid description of the race. In afterwards relating tho dream she stated that the Wellington owner had two black horses in the contest, but previous to the event took one away. That in the race a black Jiorse whose jockey carries blue and winte colours, m a field of fifteen liorses, at the top of the straight came away, and won easily by a length. About a month before the race the lady's husband wrote to Mr Douglas Gordon, giving him a description of the race as per medium of the dream, and the owner of tho horse sent a courteous reply expressing tho bops on the lines of the J's-criptioii mentioned. Some before the, eventful day the same owner's black horse Advance was withdrawn from the Cup, thus verifying a leading leaturc of the dream, and in due course Tortulla was safely landed at the post with the well-known Pressor polish. Ridden capably by C. Jenkins, she ran a fine race and Avon by a length from Melwood, Sirius, and twelve other competitors. Fortunately for a large number of sporting friends the tip as outJhfed in the 'dream had become to a certain extent public property, and quite a number of fairly good wins 7'csulted. A few days tho race a hand-somely-framed en larger! photo of Tort'i -a was presented to iko. lady by Mr Douglas Gordon, :;ml this win

will long remain in the family as a pleasing memento of the JNew Zealand Cup of 19--.