AUCKLAND CUP

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 16, 30 December 1932, Page 2

AUCKLAND CUP

RECORD TIME FOR BACE. TRIUMPH FOR FAST PASSAGE. In the history of the Auckland Cup many high-class performances have been entered up in some the element of luck has played a part, but such cannot be said of the decisive win of Fast Passage on Monday (states the 'Auckland “Star”). There were many things to stamp the victory as of more than passing notice. In the first place it was a triumph for the so-called “weaker sex”; it was the first time the Clifford colours had been first past the post in the race, although the late Sir George Clifford had tried many times to capture the event, but the luck was either against him or his horses were not good enough. Now Sir Charles has accomplished in one' stroke what his father failed to do over a long period of years, and the victory proved very popular, the filly and her rider, A. E. Ellis, being accorded a warm round of applause from the crowd as they came back to the enclosure.

But the victory might easily have been defeat. Not that the filly was not the best at the handicap, but she almost completely broke down during the race, and as the saying is, “she came home on three legs,’’ being lame after she pulled up. The race itself was no more exciting than many other cups decided at Ellerslie, but this time the result favoured backers, as Fast Passage was always favourite, and in a pool of over £ll,OOO she left the barrier carrying £2323 of the public’s money, Jaloux, hailing also from Riecarton, was second choice and had £1403 on his chance, the third selection, the top-weight. Concentrate, carrying £1279. Jaloux was never within firing distance of the leaders, but Concentrate was nicely placed till half a mile from home, wncn the pace was too solid for one with his weight and he began to fade 'when the others commenced their run. Tigerism, who drew the rails, was first out and led till Knight of Australia headed him with half a mile gone and then Great Star joined in the lead and, with Teels handy, they carried on and came into the straight the first time which the field already well strung out, with the last five Tout le Mond, Antique, Speedmint, Gold Trail and Gay Idea. As the field raced past the stand Teels, Knight of Australia and Great Star were practically racing level in the lead with Tigerism, Fast Passage, Royal Artist, Gay Crest, and Concentrate all within handy distance. As they raced out of the straight Gilmer, on Knight of Australia, dashed away, but he never was allowed to get a break, and Teels, Great Star, and Tigerism were on his heels. Teels cried enough a little further on and Knight of Australia, Great Star and Tigerism ran in close company in the lead, Fast Passage being next, while Gold Trail, who had begun to move up fast at the six-furlong post, was now in fourth place. Speedmint and Antique had eome into the picture and were making a forward move. Into the straight came Tigerism and Great Star, but once fairly in line for the judge, A, E. Ellis gave Fast Passage a kick, and in a few strides she had headed the leading pair. Great Star and Tigerism both battled on with Speedmint in the centre of the course, coming fast, and Antique putting in a good run on the rails. Fast Passage continued to hold her advantage and, hunted right out, she scored by three-quar-ters of a length from Great Star who was a neck in front of Antique; Tigerism was fourth, with Speedmint, Gold Trail, Concentrate, Groat Emblem and Gay Idea following. The last to reach the judge were Gay Crest and Knight of Australia. Jaloux was disappointing, and Tout lo Mond was never in the - picture.

Got a Good Bun, A. E. Ellis, who rode the winner, and incidentally earned £4O from the time he left the barrier till he reached the ■judge, said after the race that he had •a good run all the way. “I was never outside more than one horse at any part and for a long time was racing with Royal Artist. The furthest I was back was sixth, and at the straight, where I had moved into third place, Fast Passage was going so nicely that I thought I would win. I had to kick her along in the straight to win, but she was very lame when she finished.”

In galloping the two miles in 3.23 4-5 Fast Passage established a fresh time record for the race, the previous best being 3.24 3-5, recorded by Rapier in 1927, and Admiral Drake last year. The sectional times clocked by Mr J. K. Douglas were: First mile 1.42 1-5, nine furlongs 1.56, one mile and a quarter 2.8 1-5, mile and three furlongs 2.21, mile and a half 2.34. The last half-mile was done in 49 4-ssec, and as Fast Passage was third at this stage she would do a shade better.

A Fart Bailway.

In winning the Railway Handicap in 1.12 2-5, the Christchurch-owned and trained The Quorn was responsible for a brilliant effort, as he was a long way back in the middle stages after meeting with a set-back shortly after the start, which caused him to hit the inside rails and lose several lengths. The favourite was Tea Trader (£1658) and the second choice Cadland (£1441). Silver Ring drew the rails and the (start was a good one. Silver Ring showed momentarily in front, but he was soon cut off by Tea Trader and Exaggeration, who went very fast over the first furlong. They drew clear, and were making the pace a cracker through the cutting, where Sunny Sky and Greek Gold were together next, while Silver King, The Quora and All Humbug were some distance away, with Cadland at the tail of the field, last. Into the straight Tea Trader and Exaggeration swung, with Sunny Sky on the fence handy, and Greek Gold next. Halfway down the running. Tea Trader just had a shade the best of Exaggeration, but Voitre was busy on the favourite, while The Quom suddenly appeared with a dashing run in the centre, and gathering up those in front of him in a stride or two he came away to win by three-quarters of a length. Tea Trader hung on well to beat the unlucky Cadland by a head for second money. Cadland looked to be in a hopeless position at the halfmile post, and it was a fine effort on his part to get so close at the finish. Exaggeration finished fourth, with Sunny Sky, Greek Gold, Golden Wings, and Ail Humbug next, and Silver Ring last.