THE TROTTING CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 19

THE TROTTING CUP.

A SOLID ENTRY. DOMINION'S BEST ENGAGED. CANDIDATES AND THEIR RECORDS. The entry of 27 of the best pacers in the Dominion for the New Zealand Trotting Cup to be decided in November must on all sides be considered up to expectations, in fact, there are more than one in the race who come as a welcome surprise. With the stake at £4000, of which eight horses can share, it goes •without, saying that owners of candidates are not going to allow such a race to pass unnoticed, and, though it is decided in two divisions and a final, the prospects of getting at least 6ome of the money are better than under ordinary conditions when the stake is less but there is only one run. It is quite certain that with the limit 4.26, some owners are prepared to give away a concession they would receive in a longer limit event, but racing is full of surprises, and very often we find that actual records of horses are not a reliable guide when it comes to a question of finding a winner. No doubt there will he several defections before the important day comes along, but an entry of 27 horses will allow for a reduction, and it is safe to offer the opinion thatthere will be plenty of candidates to contest the divisions. The final is between the first four horses in each division. The horse with the fastest record engaged is Ahuriri (4.20 2-5), but it was given out some few weeks back that he had been retired to the stud. Evidently his owner, Mr. R. M. Morten, has hopes of his fine horse winning the Cup for the third time. Ahuriri won in 1925 and 1926, and i= undoubtedly one of the Yerv best two milers the Dominion has produced, but, seeing that he has been doing duty at the stud, it will be well to await some information as to his preparation before considering his chance. Padlock is another who was to retire at the end of last season, but Mr. J. A. Mitchell changed his mind and decided to give his brilliant gelding a chance to win the big race. Padlock is such a brilliant sprinter that even though he fails in the Cup there is the prospect of him winning the Free-for-All. Auckland is more strongly represented on this occasion than in the past, and in the list are Jewel Pointer, Gold Jacket, Machine Gun and Native Prince. The last mentioned is at present located in the South and is being given a special preparation by D. Bennett. Jewel Pointer has*4.22 1-5 to his credit, but he is not likely to repeat the performance, and though a genuine horse over any distance it is°unlikelv he will be greatly fancied at this early stage. Machine Gun showed high-class form last season and has a two miles record of 4.25 2-5, but when the handicap is made known it will be found that there are others in the race better treated on actual times registered. Gold Jacket, who carried off the last two Auckland Cups, is a great stayer and is roing along nicely in his preparation. There is always the possibility he will do something wrong in a race, and it will be remembered that in the division of the New Zealand Cup last year he broke up and settled his prospects. Nati\e Prince may turn out to be the best of the Aucklanders in the race. He has improved in stamina and has the speed of anv horse in the race. In the Cup twelve months ago the back marker, Padlock, was 4Syds behind and Ahuriri was on 36yds. the handicap proved too big for them it is possible that the handicapper may be a little lenient with the pair. If this happens the race will be a very short limit one, but quite enough to meet the occasion when the best are lined up. Wrackler has not yet gone 4.26, but he becomes eligible because he has been handicapped last season at or better, Below will be found the candidates, together with their best times recorded at two miles: —Ahuriri, 4.20 2-5; Padlock, 4.21; Waitaki Girl, 4.22; Logan Park, 4.22 1-5; Jewel Pointer, 4.22 1-5; Author Jinks, 4.22 1-5; Dundas Boy, 4.22 2-5; Terence Dillon, 4.22 3-5; Roi l'Or, 4.23 4-5; Linkman, 4.24; Quality, 4.24 l-o, Harold Thorpe, 4.24 1-5; Gold Jacket, 4.24 2-5; Talaro, 4.24 4-5; Jean McElwyn, 4.24 4-5; Native Prince, 4.24 4-5; Travis Axworthy, 4.24 4-5; King Pointer, 4.20; Kingcraft, 4.25 1-5; Machine Gun, 4.25 2-5; Imprint, 4.25 3-5; Kohara, 4.20 4-o; Daphne de Oro, 4.25 4-5; Logan Chief, 4.25 4-5; Dilworth, 4.26; Grand Light, 4.26.