TRUE STAYING TEST

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 81, 30 December 1944, Page 9

TRUE STAYING TEST

Analysis Of Auckland Cup Running

Dominion Special Service.

AUCKLAND, December 29. The Auckland Cup was a real test of staying. It was made so by the fast pace set bv Water Vixen. She ran the first mile in 1.40, mile and a quarter in 2.5 2-5, and mile and a lialC in 2.3’2, That was cleat to have most of the field in distress a good way from home and in the end the first and second horses, Foxwyn and Landveyor, were well clear of the others, Foxwyn completing the two miles in 3.23, which was only one second outside Kindergarten’s race record. The time was the second fastest in the

history of the race and equalled that registered by Cuddle when she won her second Cup‘in 1936. The going on Tuesday was perhaps not quite as fast as on the days when Kindergarten and Cuddle put up their times. It was certainly perfect going, the sting being out of the ground after recent rain. The contest will be remembered because it was run at a pace in the early stages which is seldom witnessed in long-distance races nowadays, the tendency being for the fields to travel slowly in the early part and therefore to deprive the contests of their value as real trials of staying ability. Water Vixen’s role was evidently, to make the pace, n cracker in the hope tiiat it would piny into the hands of her stableniate Merry May. Merry May is regarded as a stayer but on the day‘she was unable to show any dash ill the dual singes, and was well beaten. Though she looks bright, it is possible that she is not quite in lop form. Water Vixen began to display signs of fatigue iiefore completing the first, mile and a half, though she went practically a mile anil three-quarters liefore being headed by Lnniivcyor, who was iter closest follower while she was making play. TJiud-vi-vnr looked all over a winner When lie drew clear nt the foot of Hie straight but lie came out slightly when tiring at the distance anil Foxwyn secured a clear run through on the rails to beat him in the last little bit. Foxwyn finished In the style of a genuine stayer after being a fair way hack at the half-mile and fourth into the straight. The good second of Landveyor came as a slight surprise to some who have witnessed most of his racing. Hitherto it was believed that a mile and a lialf was about liis limit, but lie was beaten by only a long neck and his effort would probably have won more cults tiiat it would have lost. Landveyor is at a high pitch ot condition at present anil may be right at tlie very peak of his form. If lie, had not moved away slightly from tlie rails in the straight it Is possible that he might have just struggled home. The successful apprentice G. Hughes handled him well. The favourite, Te Iliiiciiiun, put up a good performance for third. She was nicely placed always and hud every chance. ■She might have done a little better If the race had been run at n slower pace over the first mile. The big lend that Water Vixen lind commencing Hie last live furlongs probably made the riders of some of tlie oilier horses uneasy, ami Te Ilinemoa was one of the first, to move up close to her. Battledress, who inis previously raced well at two miles, stayed on solidly at tlie end for fourth, tliougli lie never apS cured likely to beat the first two horses. atticdrcss is now a six-year-old, and lie is still a good handicap horse. A winning turn for him may not lie far away. The fourth fancy, Tara King, finished fifth. He was third or fourtli most of the way and lie was inclined to pull early. The mile and a half in the Auckland Racing Club Handicap on Monday may suit Tara King better and lie should .give a good account of himself. • I.on Rosa, after being well back in tlie first mile, moved into Hie picture approaching the lionic turn, lint sixth was the best he could do at the finish. Lou Rosa is a robust customer who thrives on work and racing and he may come up a better horse for the Auckland Racing Club Handicap on Monday.