AUCKLAND CUP CANDIDATES

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25994, 23 December 1949, Page 4

AUCKLAND CUP CANDIDATES

TRACK WORK AT ELLERSLIE “The Press' Special Service AUCKLAND. December 22. A pleasing gallop by the Auckland Cup candidates. Wonder Boy and Lord Manna, who finished in front of Beaumaris and Marcher at the completion of a solidlyrun round of the course proper, was a feature of the training at Ellerslie to-day. Faultina, Brown Derby, and Regality also went well in preparation. The course proper, 45 feet out from the rails; was used for galloping, and provided excellent going. Wonder Boy (Reynolds) and Lord Manna (Meynell) were two lengths ahead of Beaumaris (Ellis), with Marcher (Dulieu) another two •lengths-away. After running once round in 2min 9sec, the last seven furlongs iff Imin 33 3-ssec, and the half mile in 52sec, Lord Manna and Wonder Boy finished well, particularly Wonder Boy, who has probably never been better. On a soft track Wonder Boy might take a lot of beating in the Auckland Cup. Beaumaris was not asked for his best and worked very satisfactorily. He is full of muscle and it will riot be for lack of condition if he fajlsTo run a good race in the Auckland Cup. Marcher .is a doubtful starter in the Auckland Cup. Mountain Glory (MeSservy) ran a mile in Imin 46 4-ssec, being assisted over the last five furlongs by Hunting Flight (Michele), in Imin -8 3-ssec. Mountain Glory appears to have taken no harm from his race in the Freyberg Gold Cup at Paeroa on Saturday, and showed no sign of soreness. He would only need to reproduce his best form to have a chance in the Auckland Cup. Faultina< (Dulieu) .finished slightly in front of Brown Derby (Doyle), after running five furlongs in Imin 4 2-ssec. Brown Derby was under a strong huld in the concluding stages, and could easily have done better. He is in excellent order for his engagement in the Christmas Handicap. Brown Derby has previously shown good form at Ellerslie, laving won the psom Handicap, of six furlongs, on the second day of the Auckland Racing Club's spring meeting on October 15. Resolute (Ellis) was going easily alongside Primitive (Nuttall) at the conclusion of six furlongs in Imin 20 2-ssec. Resolute is a four-year-old chestnut gelding by Robin Goodfellow from Realise. He is an attractive galloper and at his last start scored by two lengths in the Hagley Hack Handicap, of seven furlongs, at Riccarton, on December 3. He looks a good prospect for the meeting, and is likely to be well supported.

In Queen’s Plate Primitive is in the first division of the Queen’s Plate. She has secured two seconds and a first in her last three starts. Bridge Watcher (Vaughan) was about two lengths ahead of Blue Seal (Nuttall) after running once round in 2min 13sec, the last six furlongs in Imin 24 4-ssec. Blue Seal worked lazily and was allowed to loaf at the end. He has come through his preparation for the Auckland Cup in very solid condition. Bridge Watcher is also in good order and has been working consistently well. No rider has yet been engaged for him in the Auckland Cup. Fleet Fox (Wiggins) easily beat Stylish Fox (Senior) over five furlongs in Imin 4sec. A good track worker, Fleet Fox has raced disappointingly in his two starts this season. His owner, Mr C. Selby, said to--day that Fleet Fox was a very doubtful starter in the Railway Handicap. Bhutan (Nuttall) strode easily over seven furlongs in Imin 46sec, the last halfmile in 56sec. Travel King (Dulieu) was better than Robin Glen (Vaughan) over half a mile in 50 3-ssec. At his last start Travel King won the Railway Handicap at Woodville on December 3, carrying 8-8. He has 8-12 in the Railway Handicap. Robin Glen is a two-year-old filly by Rebin Goodfellow from Sweep Clean, and has won two races.

Sway up (Messervy) did a Working gallop over six furlongs in Imin 25sec. Regality (Wilson) ran seven furlongs in Imin 33sec. He galloped with dash over the first furlong in 12sec and covered the last half-mile .in 53 3-ssec. Regality will be ridden by W. J. Broughton in the Christmas Handicap. Lord Revel (H. N. Wiggins) covered six furlongs in Imin 18 2-ssec, the last half-mile in 52sec. The two-year-old Pastel (Ellis) began slowly and, after .being allowed to stride out in the middle stages, was eased to complete the six furlongs in Imin 20sec. Other gallops were:— Three furlongs: Pandava, 40 2-ssec. Four furlongs: • Eastern Lady, 55sec. Five furlongs: Super Son, Imin 8 l-ssec; Soft Heart and- Argent, Imin ssec; Seahaven, Imin ssec; Aden, Imin 6 4-ssec; Final Cast, Imin 7sec; Diversion, Imin 9 l-ssec; Lady Revel, -Imin 7 2-ssec. Six furlongs: Rating, Imin 19 l-ssec; Turkhudi and Royal Nib, Imin 21 3-ssec; Melody, Imin 18sec. Round: Hunter’s Green, 2min 14 l-ssec; last half-mile in 55 3-ssec.

On the tan: Swift Fox (Meredith) was much too good for Swift Beau (C. Frisbie) over half a mile in... 49 l-ssec. Swift Fox worked in dashing- style, and was about eight lengths ahead at the finish. Morocco (Vaughan), after going fast in the early stages, was eased to run the last four of five furlongs in 55 3-ssec. Akbar (Bagby) worked over about one mile and a quarter, quickening to run the last half-mile in 52sec. Akbar looks very bright. Foxfable- concluded his work by running threte furlongs in 42sec. He will be ridden by N. B. Holland in the Auckland Cup, and consequently will have to carry a fair amount of overweight. Statesman did solid wbrk on the tan. He has won stylishly at each of his last three starts and looks well. Sweet Spray and Count Bian did steady work. So did Da Vinci, who looks fit. Sweet Spray'has had a dry cough, which may not affect her. She is fit otherwise, and has worked well since coming to Ellerslie. Prefers Easy Track Conclusion, a Manawatu Cup candidate, won two Lack races the last time he was taken to Awapuni. That was in the winter, and he may not be so much at. home now on very firm ground. Apart from that, he was backward when he raced at Riccarton, and he may not be at his best until- later on. ; Bred to StayKing Finchall provided the highlight of the work at Te Rapa on Tuesday, with a smart gallop over six furlongs,' in which his rrfate was no use to him. He is engaged in the Christmas Handicap on the first day of the .Auckland meeting, while he-is-due-to take on the Great Northern Derby on New Year’s Day. He is by Finis from Chalette, a Chatsworth mare from the same family as High Caste. King Finchall is bred on staying lines, so he will add to the interest in the Derby. He started this season with four wins in succession, after which he ran second to Gold Script in the Waikato Guineas, so he has a good background to recommend him for his Ellerslie engagements. Manawatu Cup The last two winners of the Manawatu Cup, Robin’s ’ Reward and Gay Stroller, are engaged again in the race on Saturday. What is mare, the recent form of the pair entitles- them to respect.