TROTTING Many Horses Within Reach Of Cup Class

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29270, 30 July 1960, Page 6

TROTTING Many Horses Within Reach Of Cup Class

The horses just outside the limit for the New Zealand Cup look a stronger lot than was the case 12 months ago. Two of those on 4min 24 sec, one second outside the accepted limit for the raceMacklin and Robert Dillon—started in the last cup by giving away one second.

This year there are six horses on 4min 24sec. They are Blue Emperor, Frontiersman, Guiseppe, Macklin, Robert Dillon and Sun Chief.

Blue Emperor was a most consistent performer over all distances this season, but he won only once. His best form was over distances up to 13 furlongs He could qualify for the cup, but the class of his opponents from now on will have him struggling to win.

Frontiersman made a comeback this season after being treated for soreness. His form was not good, but at times he raced well enough to suggest that he was still capable of winning However, he will have to improve to be any threat in the next cup Guiseppe, along with the others on this mark and the horses on 4min 25sec, requires only one distance win to qualify for the cup. Guiseppe returned to New Zealand in the autumn after racing well in Australia. He showed fine form at the Addington Easter meeting and won the Williams Handicap. He was placed in three other starts, including a fine second to Fourth Edition in the Easter Cup. Guiseppe is a beautifullygaited pacer and he looks to be a top-class winner for the coming season He has the breeding to be good, being by Josedale Grattan from Bashful, the dam of Diamond Hanover. Damian and other winners.

Poor Form Macklin’s form was not good in either New Zealand or Australia this season, but be Is obviously a better horse than those efforts suggest. He is a capable pacer on his day and could make cup class before

November. Robert Dillon had bad luck that he did not win a good handicap this season. He won twice last spring and looked unlucky more than once in subsequent appearances. He has done well since being trained by C. R. Berkett, wh’o should again have a good season with him. Sun Chief should experience little difficulty gaining the one win necessary to graduate to cup class. This brilliant three-year-old is expected to follow in the steps of Lookaway and win the cup at four years. Lookaway is the only horse to have won the big Addington race at that age. Sun Chief has brilliance and even though he has yet to race over two miles, there are few who would be prepared to claim that the longer distance would trouble him.

Canyon, Heather Mary. Overdrive and Patchwork are the only horses assessed at 4min 25sec. Canyon and Heather Mary have raced and been found wanting at Addington in the past and it is useless considering them a* cup prospects. Overdrive had limited racing this season without impressing. Her form has fallen right away in the last 18 months and her disappointing showings are difficult to account for. Patchwork showed outstanding form this season, her wins including the New Brighton Cup. She has her share of ability and is a dour stayer However, whether she will ever be as good as her close relation. Lady Belmer. seems doubtful. Strong Group The horses on 4mln 26sec and 4min 27sec for two miles require two distance wins to qualify for the cup These two marks have been strengthened considerably in the last six months as major clubs catered extensively for feeder classes. The horses on these marks are an even lot, with a sound sprinkling of young horses. The horses on 4min 26sec include Aksarben, Banjo. Bonny Starlet, Captain King. Captain Star, Con Scott, Diamond Hanover. Danniel's Pride, East Dome. Girl Brigade. Gold Indian, Great Reveller, Guard's Brigade, Highland Heath, Kiwi Grattan, Lucky Hall, Panui. Reason Why. Vanity Scott.

Diamond Hanover, Bonny '’tarlet, Highland Heath, Reason Why and Vanity Scott all look capable of graduating further towards cup class in the early part of the season and they should prove the best of the horse* on that mark. On 4min 27sec are Bobby Brigade. Ceremonial, Dame Sybil. Damian, Dundee, Local Light, Monterey, Shenandoah. ■ Sleek Line, Twinkle Hall and Upward Some of these have finished racing and others are unlikely to survive a searching preparation However, if their racing this season te any guide. Ceremonial. Damian and Dame Sybil should be good stake-winner* to the next three months. The big number of horse* on 4min 28sec and 4mln 29sec for two miles will find It difficult to gain the three wins necessary to graduate to cup class. How-

ever, programmes for early spring meetings suggest that these horses might have greater opportunities than in former years and the task may not prove beyond a few of them. Horses on taiin 28sec include Aldora, Captain Free, Caricature. Electric Ring, Golden Chimes. Harlequin Parade, Impresario, Kingsdown Direct, Mighty Loyal, Milldoria, Seafield Lad, Silent Scott, Spring Chat, Takitimu and Zany. Seafield Lad. Zany. Aldora and Captain Free look the pick of this group. The 4min 29sec mark Is a strong one, its numbers including Arania, Cassado, Finestra, Fox Able, Frontier Lad, Frown, Ice Drift. Lynberne, Mighty Briton, Mountain Brigade, Our Tim, Pacemaker, Pagliaccl, Ponty, Prince, Ricochet, .Scottish Fair, Smokeaway, Surie Queen, Susan Blue, Teremoana and Waitaki Child. Arania, Prince, Smokeaway and Frown could be the pick of horses on 4min 29sec and all four of them are selected to take a high ranking in the next 12 months. (Concluded).

[This is the final of two articles discussing the horses tn New Zealand Cup class, and those capable of reaching that company before November.!