TROTTING CUP DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 307, 28 December 1944, Page 7

TROTTING CUP DAY

BETTY BOOP TRIUMPHS

GALLANT MAID PAYS OVER £50

Speculators had another bad day at ! local racing yesterday, when the Auckland Trotting Cup, continuing the holiday carnival, opened its Cup meeting at Alexandra Park. Only one favourite, Claremorris, succeeded in winning, most j of the other victors being at long prices, particularly Gallant Maid, which led the field home in the Grandstand Handicap to return a dividend of over £30; her stablemate, Betty Boop, which took the Auckland Cup in brilliant fashion; and Floradale and Syncopate, the last two at substantial double-figure odds. The Auckland Cup was a splendid race throughout, and Betty Boop outstayed the opposition in the straight. Most of the running was made by Bulldozer and Volo Senwod, but they were under pressure entering the final quarter, where Sea Born, Betty Boop, Hilda Potts and Lady Dawn were making progress. Once In the home stretch, Betty Boop shot to the front, and the Jack Potts mare went on to win stylishly from Lady Dawn, with Black Label a good third. The favourites, Volo Senwod and Hilda Potts, disappointed. Mr. P. Reid, a Hamilton sportsman, who owns Betty Boop, which, by the way, paid well over £30, brought off a notable double, for he also owns Gallant Maid, and, what is more, he made no secret of the fact that he fully expected both horses to win. Mr. Reid had previously had rather a bad run in the sport, but his successes yesterday must have put him well on the right side of the ledger. Another notable double was the one brought off by the Addington pacer, Claremorris, which first of all won the Dominion Handicap, running the two miles in 4.27 3-5, from 4.37, and then brought off a second "leg" by taking the St. Heller's Handicap from Hillcrest and War Guard. This Jack Potts—Cushla d"Or gelding had to be driven right out on both occasions, and it was a treat ; to witness the manner in which he responded to the calls made upon his courage. The racing throughout the afternoon | reached a particularly high standard, and there was not one event on the programme which was not keenly contested, with the issue in doubt until the horses were well nigh on to the judge. And once again investments reached a record for the course, wagering amounting to £135,883, compared with £123,434 10/ for the first day of the last Christmas meeting. Late results were:— GRANDSTAND HANDICAP of £500, two miles, limit 4.48.—14-U GALLANT MAID, 12ydS (D. | McKendry) li 15-12 AXMINSTER, limit (M. Paul) 2; 1-1 CHARACTERISTIC, 12yds (C. S. Donald), 3. Scratched: Fly Across, Sunny Glen, Rockfel. Mighty. Three-quarters of a length, neck. Athlone Direct was fourth. T J™ e ? fa 4 - 2 i n 3 „„' 4.31, 4.30 1-5. Winner trained by R. Dunn, Claudelands. AUCKLAND TROTTING COP of £2000, and gold cup value £100, two miles, limit 4.3*.—8-8 BETTY BOOP, 12yds (D. McKendry) 1, 9-9 LADY DAWN, limit (J. Davidson), 2; 4-3 black LABEL, 24yds (A. Broughton), 3. All started. Three-quarters of a length each way. Sea Born was fourth. Times. 4.21. 4.21 2-5, 4.20 4-0. Winner trained by R. Dunn, Claudelands. BRIDGENS MEMORIAL HANDICAP of £650, trotters, two miles, limit 4.47.-5-6 STEEL KING limit (C. S. Donald), li 4-4 ECHOIST. limit (L? F. Berkett), 2; 2-3 FANTOM, 36yds (O. B. Noble) 3 scratched: Firewater, heck, three lengths. Forewarned was fourth. Times 4.35 3-5. 4.35 4-5. 4.33 2-5. Winner trained by C. S. Donald, Belfast. AKARANA HANDICAP of £600. two miles. [ limit 4.43.-7-7 SYNCOPATE, limit (A. W. Broughton) l; 3-2 MEDICAL STUDENT. 12yds (P. J. Smith) 2; 2-1 SCOTTISH EMPEROR. 12yds (G. j B Noble). 3. Scratched: Franco, Too True Lady ; >i'„ n „, Half a length: head. Jac. High was fourth Times, a 4.29. 4.28 • 1-5. 4.28 2-5. Winner trained by W. Natzkc, Te Rapa. DECEMBER HANDICAP of £400. one mile and a half, limit 3.39.-7-9 FLORADALE, limit ?F N Kennerlev), 1: 8-7 NOBLE DE ORO, limit (L. J. Manoney . 2; 2-2 CROSSROADS, limit (M. Stewart), 3. Scratched: Firewater, Pinicchio. Bomwr Jewel. Half a length; neck. Hevdey was fourth. Times, 3.24 2-5. 3.24 3-5, 324 4-5. Bracket. Floradale and Kcwpie s Pride. Winner trained by P. Rogers, Epsom. ST .HELIER'S HANDICAP of £750, one mile and V quarter, limit 2.48.-4-4 CLAREMORRIS, limit (C King), 1; 6-6 HILLCREST, 12yds (D. SteKendr'y). 2: 10-' lo WAR GUARD, limit (M. Stewart), 3. Scratched: Betty Boop Sea Born, Sir Volo Hilda Potts. Stuart Lee. Black Label, Parrish Lad. Three-quarters of a length; length. Pauraurt was fourth. Times, 2.42 2-5, 2.41 4-5, 2.43 1-5. Winner trained by N. C. Price, Christ- J church.