AUCKLAND TROTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 302, 22 December 1939, Page 10

AUCKLAND TROTS.

CENTENNIAL CUP RACE

EXCEPTIONALLY OPEN

CONTEST.

SEVERAL HORSES FANCIED.

It i« not unlikely that the race for the Auckland Centennial Gold Cup at Alexandra Park on Wednesday next will lie one of the most exciting on record. The field of a dozen high-claee pacers ie particularly well-balanced and there ie by no means unanimity among experienced horsemen as to the ultimate favourite. 11l this connection, Red Flush, Uenuku, Bill B. and Icevus are mentioned, and during the last two daye Springfield Globe, one of the two Australian representatives has entered discissions. The last-named will be coupled on the totalisator with hie stable-mate, Lawn Derby, and ifchis is the only bracket in the race.

Uenuku lost some friends ae a result of lire failure in the Auckland Cup Trial at Claudelands on December 9, but the brilliant son of Rey de Oro wae by no means disgraced. As a matter of fact, his performance that dab , wae a good one. The speedy Our Peggy took him on for pace in the early stages, and, although he was compelled to cover extra ground in running, he was in front 50 yards from the winning poet. He has proved himself over two miles, the Cup distance, and he will be a better horse next Wednesday.

< Red Flush is reported to have come through an exceptionally sound preparation,'and hie brilliant finishing burst to win the Cup Trial just referred to gained him many friends. He hae won five rates over two miles, and is going to be mighty hard to beat.

On the fast South Island tracks, Bill 8., Marlene, Icevus and Battlefield have all recorded much better times, over the distance than their handicaps in the Cup, and visiting reinemen are confident that they will lift the coveted trophy. Icerue, winner of the last Free-For-All at Addington, has improved considerably since he raced at Auckland last year, and his win at Forbury Park in 4.21 4-5 emphasises his prospects in this race. Marlene was credited with 4.17 4-5 when she ran eecond to Great Jewel last month and her ownerdriver, Mr. C. S. Donald, knows what is required to win an Auckland Cup. The Sprinters. The St. Helier's Handicap, principal sprint event on the opening day, has also drawn a strong field. Of those on the limit. Bold Venture, winner of a double at the Park a few months ago, drew attention to her .prospects by her forward running at the recent Waikato meeting, but it is almost certain that the FninciecoJosedale Grattan bracket will be favourite. We all know how brilliant is Francisco, but ehe in decidedly uncertain on the mark, and any dilatoriness at the start of thi« race is likely to put her out* of court. Joesdale Grattan, a good pacer, is improving rapidly, and, even though he has yet to prove himself ae a. sprinter in this class, he ie entitled to considerable respect. ...

Further back in the handicap, Three Bells and' Token, are others who are bound to command the attention of investors, and it ie worthy of note that Token is in the Inter-Dominion Championships to be decided at Perth in February.

The double most diseuseed at the moment is Red Flush and Joeedale Grattan.