THE MANAWATU CUP

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 144, 16 December 1930, Page 8

THE MANAWATU CUP

GLANCE OVER WEIGHTS

DOX JOSE AXD MERRY DAMON

HAVE CHANCES

The presence of Historic among the entries for the Manawatu Cup has brought the scale of weights down much lower than it might otherwise have been, and .horses towards the top of the list have therefore a very favourable chance of success this year. Ten horses are weighted on the minimum and ten above, but, alihough there are possibilities among the bottom-markers, preference is decidedly for the other half. Historic, who tops the handicap with 9.9, is a definite starter, and, ridden by .T>. 11. Morris, he must be accorded the fullest respect. He is at about his best distance, and he is in capital form, but he may find the task just beyond him. No horse has yet carried such a weight to victory in the Cup. The record is held by Tortulla, who won with a pound less in 1901; only two other horses in 'the aiine stones have succeeded, these being Client (9.2) in 1920 and Mark Time (9.0) •ja 1923. Since 1923 the only winner with 8.0 or over has been Seatown (8.4), last year's victor. The reason usually has been, of cour.^, that the best horses have been at Ellerslie. Historic represents better class than the average top-weight for 1-lie race, and it is not without the bounds that he will establish a weight-carrying record this year. Two of those among the eight stones, Seatown and Gay Crest, will probably lace at Ellerslie, and this leaves Merry Damon to represent the division. With B.S, Merry Damon is in luxuriously, for he had that weight in the Metropolitan at Riccarton, and now meets Historic at 31b better terms. The other Manawatu Cup entrants who raced in the Metropolitan—Gay. Crest, White Fang, and Spearmiss—are all set on a higher mark, and, taking a line through the Riccarton race, lie should beat them, even Gay Crest, at a difference of half a stone, should the ktter's prospective programme be changed. Seatown. it will be remembered, raced ftt Awapuni last year only by the merest chance, and such an occurrence as prevented his reaching Ellerslie in time for, the Auckland Cup is unlikely to happen again. Best of the others above the minimum would appear to be Don Jose, who won the Epsom Handicap and was second to Grecian in the Otaio Plate, one mile and «. quarter, at Riccarton. Don Jose was beaten in the latter race only by' a head when conceding Grecian a stone, and Grecian went on to win the next day aswell. Don Jose has been galloping, attractively since at Riccarton, and he is reported to be now as fit as hands can make him. He reads most serious rival for Merry Damon, and, because the history of the race is in his favour, he is entitled to be selected as even more likely to succeed. : Shrewd and Bold Front have been showing improving form lately, and each is a possibility: So would Pahu be, in the form he was in at Wellington, and recent advice indicates that he has wholly recovered from the indisposition that beset him prior to the New Zaeland Cup Meeting. !»one should beat those named, however, judged by book form. Among the bottom weights nothing makes any particular appeal as possessing an outstanding chance of beating Don .lose or Merry Damon. Those who have gained most by being forced on to the minimum are probably High Falutin', Paiko, and Atholspear, they therefore are entitled'to most Consideration from any seeking an outside shot. : . : Summed up, the two horses whose" connections can have no complaint to make about the weight they have been allotted i are Don Jose and Merry Dafrion, a'n4 at this stage it is not easy to go. past them. Historic's class earns him" most Tespect among the others. ';.