NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 110, 5 November 1938, Page 22

NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

INTEREST STIMULATED BY AUSTRALIANS

(By "Ariki Toa.")

On Tuesday next the New Zealand Trotting Cup, the leading trotting event in the Southern Hemisphere, comes up for decision at Addington. Although there have been several withdrawals sinc-s nomination d^y there is still a rather unwieldy field engaged, and it is probable that the winner may come from somewhere near the front of the handicap.

When the final payment for the big Addington event fell due early in the week there were several defections, but at the best it cannot be said that they threw any further light in defining the issue. It is the first time for many years that the Dunedin sportsman Mr. G. J. Barton has been without a representative in the Cup, but on past form Grand Mogul and Indianapolis could have possessed very little chance. Big Author, Glenrossie, De Soto, and Worthy Light were also allowed to drop out, but their absence will not be deplored. The early favourites for the event are Logan Derby (12yds), War Buoy, (scr), and King's Play (12yds), and they form a formidable trio. War Buoy failed to gain a place last year, but in the previous year acted as the minor placegetter to Indianapolis and Red Shadow, and in 1935 was runner-up to Indianapolis. This gelding has a brilliant record in two-mile events, and his good third at Oamaru over a sprint distance showed that he was not far from his best again. No distance is too far for him, and he has got through a most searching preparation in a most capable manner. One advantage in his favour is that he is off the front, and this will probably prove a factor in the decision of Tuesday's race. The Australian pacer Logan Derby has gained a host of friends by his taking track work since arriving a fortnight ago, and he promises to be in the thick of the fray all the way. In Australia he has a two-mile record of 4min 24|sec, which is equal to some of the best times credited to our Dominion horses, when tracks are taken into consideration. Also he is a faultless performer, in that he does nothing wrong. He begins like a shot and should experience no trouble in staying out the journey.

FORM REGAINED. A lapse of form' last season saw King's Play lose-caste, but he rehabilitated himself to some,extent with a convincing win over a mile and a quarter at Oamaru on Labour Day. In this event he never gave the opposition a chance,- and there was no doubt about the issue a long way from home. The Blue Mountain King gelding is stated to have built up a lot in condition, and if anything, is better than ever. If this contention is correct he is going to take some beating from 12yds, for he will experience no trouble in running the distance right out. A lot will depend upon his ability to hit his straps smartly at the start, although there were no faults to be found with his display at Oamaru. In addition to King's Play, M. McTigue has a second string m Morello, a most versatile pacer, and one that is always equal to carrying off the prize. In his last two appear* ances over two miles this gelding has filled second place, and if a surprise is in store on Tuesday he is the most likely to effect it.

Of the remainder on or near the front the best prospects may be held by Ginger Jack and Evicus, who have both performed encouragingly in' their latest essays, and their track work has been good. Evicus was responsible for a most pleasing trial on Tuesday when she ran two miles in a shade better than 4min 23sec. Her prospects would be enhanced by a soft track, Auckland has two. representatives in Ironside and King's Warrior, and neither pacer can be dismissed from calculations. Ironside scored two most impressive wins at Addington m August, Including the National Handicap, two miles, in 4min 22 2-ssec. The field on that occasion was perhaps not up to Cup class, but, even- so, there was a good deal of merit in the performance, for he had to cover a lot of extra ground. King's Warrior also won a double at the same meetings, and his displays'were worthy of further notice. This horse was one of the favourites for the Cup last year, but interference on the journey ruined whatever prospects he possessed. He has got through a sound preparation, and according to northern critics is a picture of health. He is not set an easy task to thread his way through the field, but he must be conceded an excellent chance.

WILL HAVE FRIENDS. There is. sure to be support for Pot Luck, especially after his brilliant win in the Grand Final of the Inter-Do-minion Championship. He is a weLmannered pacer who should not ba dismissed. Harold Logan's showings at both Auckland and Hutt Park left no room for doubt that he is a long way past his best. Reporter has won against the best class, but he does not impress -as a Cup winner, although he will appreciate an easy track. R. B. Berry has Parisienne and Lucky Jack engaged, and both are proved stayers who have to be taken into consideration. They performed exceptionally well at the Inter-Domm-ion Championship Meeting, but on this, occasion nave none the best 01 the handicap off 48yds. Lucky Jack won the event last year, but he has ajnuch harder task or* this occasion..Parisienne will be driven by her trainer, R. B. Berry, and Lucky Jack by D. C. Watts :■■■■-:■ The backmarker teethe brilliant Australian pacer Lawn Derby, but he will have to be a superhuman ahorse to succeed off 60yds. No doubt he will pay expenses at-the meeting, but this may be brought about in the Freer For-All. At Auckland last Christmas Lawn Derby conceded Lucky Jack 24yds over two miles and beat him by a narrow margin. On this occasion he comes in at 12yds better terms. The luck of the running is. likely to play a big part in the decision of the event, but some that may be m favour are Logan Derby, the Kings Play-Morello bracket, and War Buoy.