AUCKLAND CUP RESULT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25377, 27 December 1947, Page 6

AUCKLAND CUP RESULT

HOWE PLACED THIRD AFTER INQUIRY RIDER SUSPENDED FOR FIVE DAYS “The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, December 26. For the second time in 17 years, the placings in the Auckland Cup were; altered to-day. Howe was first past the post by a neck from Balgowan, with King’s Ransom a nose away third. Howe bore out on Balgowan and King’s Ransom, which were, outside him at the start of the home run, and the stewards immediately called for an inquiry. The result of the inquiry was not known until after the next race, the Queen’s Plate, when it was announced that Balgowan was placed first and King’s Ransom second, and that Howe had been relegated to third. R. Mackie, the rider of Howe, was suspended until December 31.

The change in placings cost Mr J. H. Marshall, of Titahi Bay, the owner of Howe, £6lOO and the gold cup. The winner’s stake was £7OOO and the cup, and the third horse received £9OO.

Howe’s place in the betting was 1415, and his dividend had been posted as more than two score for a win and double figures for a place. Balgowan, 11-9 in the betting, paid double figures for a win and a substantial price for place. The field in the race was away to a good start and with nine furlongs to go Howe was close to Robin's Reward, the early leader. With five furlongs to go Robin’s Reward was tiring, and Howe and Balgowan were almost abreast in front, with Revolte and King’s Ransom just behind. Howe passed the post a neck in front of Balgowian. A photo-finish was called for for the second placing and Balgowan was a nose in front of King’s Ransom. Howe had begun to bear out soon after reaching the straight and the two horses he hindered were Balgowan and King’s Ransom. Over the last 50 yards Howe went ahead very resolutely. Beau Le Havre made a gallant showing under 9st 111 b, and his fifth placing in one of the best Auckland Cups ever run emphasised his class. Indian Gold, which finished fourth, was near the end of the field with seven furlongs to go. In the 1930 Auckland Cup Gay Crest, owned by Dr. M. G. Louisson and ridden by A. East wood, beat Motere by a neck, but the placings were reversed after a protest on the ground that Gay Crest interfered with Motere. Gay Crest was seventh and Motere was eleventh in the betting of a field of 12, which included such renowned performers as Concentrate, (which finished third). Nightmarch (which had earlier won the Nev/ Zealand Cup), Star Stranger, In the Shade, and Paquito, which 14 months before had finished second to Nightmarch in the Melbourne Cup, in which Phar Lan had been unplaced as a three-year-old.