THE MITCHELSON CUP

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 78, 29 September 1938, Page 13

THE MITCHELSON CUP

WEIGHTS ANALYSED

ANY LINE FOR .RICCARTON?

(Special from "Early Bird.")

AUCKLAND, September 28

The appearance of the handicaps for the Mitchelson Cup, to be run at Ellerslie on Saturday week, has quickened the interest in , the spring campaign in so far as the big events are concerned. It is rather a pity that there are only four New Zealand Cup candidates engaged in the Ellerslie event, the quartet comprising .Quadroon, Malagigi,' Shy, and Happy Landing, but others in Kelly and Sly Fox figure in shorter races at Ellerslie.

Seeing that the Mitchelson Cup is run over a mile and a half and is just four weeks prior to the New Zealand Cup, it would have been thought that the northern event would have attracted other : New Zealand Cup entrants. But there are two things that hold them back. The first of these is > the possibility of a rehandicap in the event of winning, and the second is that the three days' racing at Trentham next month provides further and perhaps «more complete trying-out races than Ellerslie does. For instance, a horse might be good enough to win at a mile and a half at the northern headquarters and still just fail over eleven furlongs at Trentham, for the Trentham track is more strenuous from the stayers' point of I view. PRIDE OF PLACE. 'King Rey was always assured of top place in the Mitchelson Cup, especially after winning at Matamata under 9.3 and running such a close third to Tidewaiter and Kena with 9.5) in the Avondale Cup. The latter ' contest was one of King Rey's best efforts, and it is probable that, had the danger on the outside been noticed earlier, he might even have maintained his advantage to the post, for his rider seemed content up till that stage to remain just ahead of Kilonsa, and was oblivious to the fact that other challengers were coming down on him. However, a mile and a half under this impost may tell against King Rey, whose best efforts have been over 1\ miles, despite victory under 8.5 at Te Rapa last February over eleven furlongs. As it is only three months since he raced last, Master Brierly may be moire forward than generally thought, and while he is now nine years of age it has to be admitted that in some of his races last season he revealed surprising dash. At 9.0 he is quite well placed if otherwise in shape. Master Cyklon has been consistent in his latest outings and he has been handicapped up to them. However, this class on the right-handed Ellerslie track may be a combination too formidable for the Hawke's Bay galloper.

Quadroon is being selected to win a rich prize this season, and he heads the New Zealand Cup candidates here. At 8.7 he is not out of it, and as he is held in high regard in the north he is going to be one of the early fancies. -■'

It is interesting to see Kilonsa now what could be termed nicely placed, for she had reached a point in* her races solely through minor-places performances in good company. Success for her would be very popular. She has given indications of stamina, and so the extra quarter of a mile may not be very troublesome. LIKELY FAVOURITE. Next on the list is what is certain to be the early favourite and one that' will take all sorts of beating at Ellerslie, the scene of his best endeavours at two and three years of age. This is Francis Drake, winner of the Great Northern St. Leger last Easter Monday, the Easter Handicap two days earlier, with 7.6, which he followied up a week later, by a second over 1 i miles at Avondale with 8.7. He raced prominently at Avondale this month with 8.11 and 8.10, being one of the leaders into the straight each day. Now in the Mitchelson Cup he is handily in with 8.5, or 91b ( under weight-for-age, and his efforts in his first two starts indicated that he was not far below this standard. With three weeks more work into him after Avondale he should, strip ;at about his peak next week and should be backers' friend No. 1. Kena has recently run two- solid races. But now, thanks to giving away 7£lb overweight in running second in the Avondale Cup and .a victory on top of his consequent rise, he is up on the same mark as Francis Drake, and that should be sufficient. Ned Cuttle can do much better than at Avondale, where he was very disappointing. Mazir will have another outing or two at Paeroa at the weekt 1 and this will cause him to . be landed fit at the post. .; Malagigi is one who has won at a mile and a half, Ellerslie on Easter Monday, but his. subsequent efforts, while good, have not measured up to that. In the second half of the handicap there is nothing outstanding, although there is certainly some promising material, lightly weighted. Cheval de Volee, Gold Vaals, Happy Landing, General Ruse, and Shy are a few who will have to be kept in. mind, even if it is considered that the top half of the handicap will supply the placefilitriooks.now as if the stake will jo south, and .in Francis Drake and Quadroon there are two visitors who will be right in the thick of it at the finishing post.