AN ERRATIC RECORD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 77, 27 September 1941, Page 14

AN ERRATIC RECORD

GUIDE TO N.Z. CUP

GERALDINE CUP WINNERS

The records show that the Geraldine Cup has been a bad race for backers, more particularly in recent years, for one has to go back to 1932 to find an instance where the public's first elect has fulfilled expectations. Yet there was a time when horses who raced prominently at Geraldine went on to play a part in the New Zealand Cup a little over a month later. The only favourite to win during the past decade was Minerval, the 1932 winner, and the Arrowsmith gelding beat all but Fast Passage in the New Zealand Cup. Both Tasman and Vanguard followed their successes in the Geraldine Cup with wins in the New Zealand Cup, whereas Ardenvhor, after winning the Geraldine Cup as a three-year-old, delayed his New Zealand Cup success till the following season. Chaos, winner of the Geraldine Cup in 1895 ran second to Euroclydon in the New Zealand Cup; Rose Pink registered a similar performance in 1918, Sasanof preventing the double being completed; Heorthen, who won at Geraldine in 1907, ran second m the big two-mile contest at Riccarton a year later, Downfall being the winner. Engaged. Of the competitors at Geraldine on Thursday, Airline (the winner of the Cup) claims an engagement in the New Zealand Cup in November. The. Surveyor horse was weighted at 7.y in the Geraldine Cup, but the apprentice allowance claimed for his rider, C. Ellis, brought the .poundage down to 7 2 He has been allowed m at 7.0 the New Zealand Cup. The Wrecker, who went close to bringing oft a big surprise by running Airline to half a head on Thursday, is also on the minimum in the big two-mile contest, but the connections of Haughty Winner apparently have no delusions about the staying power of the Winning Hit gelding, for the third place-getter in the Geraldine Cup is missing from the New Zealand Cup field. However, Dictate, The Raker, Prudent Prince, and Cherokee, all of whom were unplaced at Geraldine on Thursday, have been accorded nominations for the bigger test. On the face of things it would appear as though their respective owners are blessed with a large measure of optimism, but racing, atter all, is full of surprises.

Topweight. The honour of heading the poundages in this year's New Zealand Cup has been conferred upon Taurangi, who has been allotted 9.0. In the contest of twelve months ago Taurangi ran second to Serenata when carrying 8.8, the winner being on the minimum, and although the runner-up has gone up Sb he will meet the Nightmarch^ mare on 71b better terms. Both Serenata and Algerian (7.3) are at present m Australia, but no doubt a decision as to whether they will fulfil their engagements will be determined on the form shown across the Tasman Attending Taurangi in the weights is RakaSSi, who has won twice recently, and although the Hunting Song gelding is undoubtedly good it is doubtSi whether he could follow his usual custom of going to the ing there over a two-mile journey.

Early Yet. The form displayed during the next few weeks may be illuminating in so far as the pro/pects of the candidates for New Zealand Cup honours are involved. Meantime the North Island appears to hold a very strong hand with Taurangi, Rakanui, Gladynev The Buzzer (who attend one another-in the handicaps), Serenata, Night Pilot, The Monarch, Little Robin (last years unlucky runner), Piastre etc., and at this stage it is reasonable to expect Gladynev The Buzzer, The Monarch, and Piastre to come into prominence, vi the southerners, Wardress, Iceland Spar, and The Wrecker will no doubt have their friends.

An Improver. . After being to all appearances right out of the contest, Vengeance put in some great work over the last hallmile to make up her leeway in the Hack Hurdles at Marton. Actually, she furnished spectators with the only excitement of the race. . Overhauling Lucullus Boy in the straight, the pair waged a stern duel, Vengeance touching off her rival on the post. Even though she would not have treacled the winner, she would have been much closer but for being so far out of it m the early stages. Still Waiting.

Many enthusiasts are waiting for Cheddington to produce the form confidently expected of him. At Marton the Phaleron Bay horse drew No. 1 position at the barrier m the Farewell Handicap, but his rider reefed him back immediately the tapes went up and he could not do better than finish sixth. His day will come.

Overdue.

A bright future appeared to lie ahead of Imperium when he beat Monetary, Gunyah, Kevin, and company in a juvenile event at Wairarapa last January, but he has been difficult to keep going. His win at Marton was certainly overdue, even though it was hardly anticipated by his party. He is a younger full-brother to Dannevirke, who has done so well in Australia and who cost 350 guineas at the National Yearling Sales.

Badly Placed. Despite the fact that she frequently runs excellent races, Courting has not been as yet able to open her winning account. On occasions she has raced up on the turn to be in the firing line only to then weaken, but at Marton on Saturday she came from well back to get up in time to beat Elusory for third, the latter stopping badly after showing a torrent of early speed. Courting is deserving of better things, for she is certainly an honest sort.