BRUCE’S GOOD CUP TRIAL

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25082, 14 January 1947, Page 4

BRUCE’S GOOD CUP TRIAL

STRONG OPPONENT FOR GOLDEN SOUVENIR

W. J. BROUGHTON HAS CHOICE OF MOUNTS Bruce recorded an impressive Wellington Cup trial when he won the Dominion Handicap at Trentham on Saturday, and only a horse possessed of brilliance and stamina could have won from the position he occupied four furlongs from home. Although most of the leading staying handicappers were missing, their absence did not detract from the merit of Bruce’s performance, as this Royal Chief gelding was having only his second race beyond a mile, and his fifth for the season, after having had to miss the New Zealand Cup meeting because of a jarred knee. Doubtless the riding of his trainer, L. J. Ellis, played a big part in his success, but only a nimble-footed horse with a good turn of speed could have worked his way through the field in two furlongs as Bruce did. With the position Bruce held at the four furlong post, his only chance of success lay in getting through on the inside, as it would have meant certain defeat to have gone round the field. Once Bruce did get through he had too much stamina for the rest, and won going away. Bruce now appears one of the strongest opponents his stablemate, Golden Souvenir, has in the Wellington Cup. As the horses race in different ownerships, and it is the intention of both owners to start their horses in the race, their trainer, L. J. Ellis, will not be able to ride either in the race. Before the handicaps were published, W. J. .Broughton had been given his choice- oC tflbxtats. and no other rider had beeu wggged-*^tijp'horse that Broughton does not elect to. ride. C. T. Wilson hag- been mentioned as the second rider, but he has a prior engagement for FOXhaven for the Wellington Cup. The decision is a difficult one for Broughton to make, especially with only IMb difference in the weights between the pair. : Golden Souvenir is a proven- stayer and 9-9 is well within his limit. Bruce, a small horse but a typical stayer, has shown brilliant form up to a mile and a -half. The question is whether he can carry 8-13 and run out the additional half-mile equally as well v against better opposition. Many will be prepared to back their judgment that he will be able to do so. A Strenuous Season In 12 starts this season Howe has won six races, been second four times, and third twice. His stake winnings for the season total £4802 10s, and his grand total is now £5022 10s. Howe is now the leading three-year-old winner for the season, his nearest rival, Beau Le Havre, having won £4505. Beyond a mile, both Royal Tan and Beau Le Havre have proved better than Howe, but up to a mile the only three-year-old to beat him was Julius Caesar, which beat him in an open handicap when carrying a stone less than Howe. Howe has had a strenuous season, and has stood up to racing and travelling in remarkable fashion. He is still a big unfurnished colt, and he must be near champion class to perform as he has done this season. Drew Wide at Barrier

Rahine contested the Halswell Handicap at Trentham on Saturday; but the track was not altogether to her liking, and she eventually finished eighth. This Riccarton-trained filly was unfortunate to draw No. 16 at the barrier ip a field of 18, and she did not get any the best of the start. She made a forward move round the field turning for home, but had far too much ground to make up in the straight to be a possibility. Rahine will contest the Desert Gold Stakes next Saturday, and is likely to be an improved filly. A Good Colt

Although he has a doubtful-looking knee and a rather high action when gal? loping, Ultimate is undoubtedly a good colt, and is .not so far removed from the top flight of two-year-olds. As at the cup meeting at Riccarton, Ultimate took time to find his feet in the Wellington Stakes on Saturday, and had he not run about a little over the last furlong he might have beaten Howe, which was fully extended to hold his slender lead oyer the last 50 yards. Ultimate is one of the first crop of the Hyperion horse Neptune, whose stock continue to make a good impression, and if he remains sound he seems likely to make a useful three-year-old. He is from La Poupee, herself a good two-year-old winner, by Tea Tray from the imported mare Dancing Do-11, by Black Jester. The best of La Pbupee’s previous progeny were the speedy filly My Bonnie, which was recently shipped to England, and Griffin, a useful galloper handicapped by bad feet. As a yearling, Ultimate was purchased by his owner, Mr P. Louis, for 2000 guineas. From Desert Gold

Karachi, the Neptune colt which made an impression when he finished a good second in the Juvenile Handicap at Randwick on Saturday, was bred by Mr T. C. Lowry at the Okawa Stud, Hawke’s Bay, and was sold at the last yearling sales at Trentham for 1600 guineas. His dam is Sudan, by Beau Pere from Sahara, by Gainscourt from the famed Deselt Gpld. The best of the preyious progeny of Sudan is Carthage, by Theio, a moderate winner of three races. A Failure on the Flat

It is rarely mat a hurdle race at Trentham is won with such ease as Provider won the Linden Hurdles on Saturday. A rank disappointment on the flat, Provider has now won twice over hurdles in tlpree starts. His first glimpse of’ winning form was shown at the Waipukurau meeting on Boxing Day, when he won the Hunters’ Handicap, of a mile and a quarter, for gentleman riders. At his next start, he won the Tutaenui Hurdles, of one mile and a half, at Marton on January 2. Provider has only to carry on to develop into a high-class hurdler, and his performance on Saturday was most promising. He is a four-year-old gelding by Foxbridge from Llangollen, by The. Ace from Glanberis, by Marble Arch. He is a bay, and that accounted for his making only 420 guineas as a yearling, bay sons of Foxbridge not being in demand at that time. He is -owned by Mr S. J. Newland, and was formerly trained by T. R. George, but entered L. Knapp’s stable several weeks ago, when it was decided to try him as a hurdler. Diameter j With the exception df Sage King, which was not extended, no horse came home more solidly in the Halswell Handicap at Trentham than the big Defoe gelding Diameter, which is trained at Riccarton by F. A. Roberts for Mr H. D. wood. Diameter is a long strider, and still inclined to become unbalanced

races; but he is improving with racing, and as he gains experience he is going to prove more than a match for mpst of the staying hacks. He has the size to master weight, and an additional asset is a good racing temperament. Marilyn, the winner of the Juvenile Handicap at Trentham on Saturday, lived up to her reputation for speed when she made an exhibition of the field after losing about 30 yards at the start. In her four previous starts she has either stood at the post or lost her chance by a slow beginning; but on she left no doubt about her ability once the final furlong was commenced. She is a stayingbred filly, and sould carry on next season. She is by Balloch from Imogen, by Siegfried from Lucinette, by Martian from Lady Lucy, by Seaton Delaval. Lucinette won over a middle distance, and was a half-sister to Star Lady, the dgm of Star Stranger. Her dam, Lady Lucy, wop tfie New Zealand Cup, and was a half-sister to another New Zealand Cup winner in Fiilmen. On her breeding, Marilyn can be expected to be prominent in the sixfurlong two-year-old races. She was purchased at the yearling sales by Messrs P. J. and T. J. O’Neill for 460 guineas, and is trained at Trentham by P- Burgess.

Had Not Done Well At Trentham on Saturday, E. J. Jennings, the trainer of Derene, stated that the mare had not done well since she arrived, and that she was also suffering from seasonal troubles, and it was decided not to run- her in the York Handicap. However, she should be fit to tpke her place in the Telegraph Handicap on Saturday. Nearly Surprised The three-year-old gelding, Revolte, just failed to bring off a major surprise in the Muritai Handicap at Trentham. He is usually a very smart beginner. He drew No. 2 at the barrier, but got none the best of the start. He was handy to the leaders • crossing on to the course proper, and trailed Tanith into the straight. He suf- i fered a check when he went to move up . on the outside of Tanith at the distance, : and had to be pulled back on the rails. He soon pushed through on the rails, and though he headed Lincoln Fair, Castlebrae finished too strongly for him, and a stride short of the post Cressida just headed him for second money. Revolte is only a pony, but he has a good turn of speed, and on Saturday’s performance he will more than hold his own in hack company, although his lack of size will always be against him in big fields. Revolte is raced on lease by Messrs A. T. Donnelly pnd D. E. Wanklyn, and is trained at Riccarton by J. C. Tomkinson. He is by Revelation from Racefox, a sister to Foxwyn, I