THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18861, 8 November 1924, Page 14

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

TO-DAY'S RACE,

BY I'HAETON

The 42nd contest for the New Zealand Cup is fixed for to-day at Riccartou. With a. field of 1G still engaged at the date of the final payment that ensures a good contest, for on all hands the issue is regarded as very open. Recent advices to hand crmlil Tarleton with being the ruling favourite, but there is only a point between him and Musketoon. and then at a short interval Gold Light and Deticafion are summed up as of ecjual merit. From the fact of Musketoon being owned in Auckland chief interest will, of course, bo centred in the performance for which he will be responsible. By all accounts Musketoon will bo fully ready for his race to-day. Tho following is a list of the horses engaged in the Cud: — st. lb. Gold Light, ch m, oyrs, by Hymettus— —Simper (inc. 61b penally) ..90 Musketoon. b h. syrs, by Steadfast — Musk (inc. 141b penalty) . . . . S 9 Limelight, br m. Gyrs, by Solferino— Stardancer . . 8 5 Sunart, b g aged, by Sunny Lake— Latchet (inc. sll> penalty) . . ..83 Deucalion, b g. aged, by Demostrtenes —Mocking Bird 7 9 Tarleton. b g. 4yrs, by Nassau —Brayton 7 • 9 Mantua, b m, aged, by Solferino — Rose Salterne . . 6 I'2 Bumptious, b g. syrs, by Kilboy— Conceit 6 1Dame Straitlace. b in, 6yrs. by Kilbroney—Discipline 6 10 Tanndee-s. b g. 3yrs, by Roseworthy— Burletta . . . . .... . . G 9 Carpentier. ch h, 4yrs by Sunny Lake—Gold Rain 6 8 Kukume, b m, s.vrs, by Martian — Persian Lilac 6 7 Lucinettu, b m, Jyrs, by Martian — Ladv Lucy Waetea. b m. syrs, by Kilbroney— Coronata . . 6 7 Winkie's Rebel, ch in. oyrs, by Winkie —Lady Chiron 6 7 Empyrean, b g, aged, by The Welkin —Flower of the West . . ..67 A feature of tho New Zealand Cup field this year is the number of mares engaged, no less than exactly half being of tho weaker sex. ' The Question therefore presents itself: Is this to bo another mare's year? Since tho race was instituted in 1883 the mares have only won the race outright. on six occasions, but. in addition, a mare was in each case included in the two dead-heats recorded, while in several other instn-Kces they filled tho role of runner-up in close finishes. In the racc of 1883 Nonsense, the chestnut daughter of Albany, rail Tasinan to a short head, and in the following year Leonora (by Leolinus) beat all the field with tho exception of Vanguard. In 1886 Spado Guinea (by King of Clubs) got homo first. Tho marcs were right out of it until 1890 when Dudu (by Somnus) ran second, and in tho following year Thame (by Sword Dance) occupied a like position. , 'I'he race of 1893 saw two mares in the shape of Rosefeldt (by Nordenfeldt) and Ich Dien (by St. George) fight out the battlo for tho leading position; and in the following year Lottie (by Muskapeerl beat all her opponents with the exception of Impulse. In 18% Laay Zetland (by Perkin Warbeck) beat the opposition. Four years afterwards Idea! (by Dreadnought) ran r dead-he.it with Ftilmen, and in the succeeding year Tortulla (by Torpedo) got homo firKt. Seven years then elapsed before a mare secured a place, whan Heorthen (by Phoebus Apollo) ran Downfall to a head. Lady Lucy (by Seaton Delaval) won in 1909. and four years after Sinapis (by St. Ambrose) scored. In the decision of the race in tlio following year Warstep (by Martian) was bracketed in :> head-lieat with Indigo: find then in 1918 Rose Pink (by Kilbroney) filled the role of runner-up. In 1920 two mares played the leading parts. Oratress (by Demosthenes) and linaribbon (by Gay Spark) coming home in first and second place resnectively. In the decision of tho race last year Dame Straitlace (by Kilbroney) ran Rouen to a head for first honours. Well, the mares included in this year's contest for the bis race at Riccarton are:—Gold Light, Limelight, Manttta, Dame Straitlace, Kukume. Lucinette, Waetea, and Winkie'? Rebel. Should Gold Light score, she will have the credit of establishing a fresh weight-carrying record for the Riccarton race.

STUB NOTES. V.R.C. DERBY WINNER. BY PHAETON. There is a very great deal to rivet attention in the pedigree of the V.rl.C, Derby winner Spearfelt. for it is fairly studded with illustrious names, Ca.r'oine. St. Simon. Barcaldine. Isonomy, and Bend Or all figuring in it close Tip. The leading lines in the pedigree read as follow: —

Sire: Spearhead, by Spearmint (son of Carbine and grandson of Musket) from Baroness La Fieche, by Ladas (son of Hampton) from La Fieche. by St. Simon (son of Galopin). Dam: Lady Champion, by Challenger (son of Isinglass and grandson of Ispnomy) from Bangle, by Barealdine (son of Solon) from Chatelaine, by Bend Or (son of Doncuster).

THE MELBOURNE CUP WINNER. Backwood, who led the field home in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday last, was bred in England, and a perusal of his pedigree shows that he traces to many noteworthy families. On the sire's side ho traces to the Doncaster lino through Ivendul, who is a descendant of Bend Or, and on the dam's sido he claims a double strain of St. Simon at a short remove. The following are the lending lines in the peuigree:— BACKWOOD. Sire: Bachelor's Double, by Treclennis (son of Kendal and grandson of Bend Or) from Ladv Bawn. by Le Noir (son of Isonomy) from Milady, by Kisbor (son of Buccaneer) from Alone, by Hermit. Dam: Ladv of Grace, by St. Frusquin (son of St. Simon and grandson of Galopin) from Lady C., by Ladas (son of Hampton) from Lady St. Cecilia by St. Serf (sou of St. Simon).

AUCKLAND CLASSIC WINNER. Town Bank, who won classic honours at Ellerslie on Saturday in the settlement of the Great Northern Guineas, does not figure in tho Stud Book. From particulars furnished me by Mr. S. C. Mackv of Paterangi, I have been able to trace tho breeding of his dam. This reveals that the Great Northern Guineas winner boasts Quite a strong pedigree, with a double strain of Musket on the dam's side. The leading lines in the pedigree read as follow: — TOWN BANK. Sire: Archiestown, by Sir Archibald. (son of Desmond and grandson of St. Rimon) ' from Crarrellaeaie. by Wolf's Crag, by Barcaldine (son of Solon). * Dam: Lilly Bank, by Westmere (son of Escutcheon and grandson of Musket) from Flying Fish, bv. Foul Shot (son of Musket) from Fish Lass, by Leolinus or Cap-a-pie from Fishwonian. by Yattendon (son of Sir Hercules). LUCULLUS' NEW HOME. As recorded some time back. Mr. Norman Walters decided on a change of habitat from Papaknra to Otahuhu, and ono day during tho present week 1 journeyed to tho old settlement in order to have a ramble over the new home of Lucullus and Co. The property acquired by Mr. Walters is a. portion of the old Camp Fire, and embraces a little over 4'2 acres. The. luxuriant character of the pasturage at this particular point is well known, and. my visit being made in the rays of beautiful gjinligbt, u was sot off most attractively. The imported sire Lucullus was found looking in splenitis condition: in fact, it can be said that this non of Ard Patrick has never previously been tho horso he is to-day. In the course ol a ramble over the paddocks I noticed a two-yenr-old full sister to the apeedy Queen March. Unfortunately something went wrong with the filly when a foal, and, though sho appears to be now perfectly sound, she mu.v not be called noon to race. In Hnv case. Mr. Walters has decided to keep her for tho stud. A yearling fullsister to Queen March was noticed in another enclosure, and. judging Irom her rcbust appearance she has progressed nicely. In tho matter of physique * there is something of tho Queen March appearance about her, albeit rhe docs not carry Quito so much white as her relative. Included among the visiting marcs mated with Lucullus this season is Australian-bred Dovelet. The daughter of Maltster and San Dove, who is still owned bv Mr. F. Earl, had by her side a lively chestnut colt foal by Nassau. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. Advices to hand from Melbourne r.tate thai .» full brother to Glot)mine is included among tho returns ,oi foalings during the present season. It is mentioned that Light's moat recent contribution to the Stud Book is a chestnut with white tnsrkinzs. Most of tho other stock from Light are bays, including Gloaming, Refraction, and Lightsome. Li'.'ht was foaled in 1907. so that she is in her seventeenth year at. the present time.

Purine the A.R.O. Spring Meet ins tfi races came up for decision. a»rid. a" i:> difle'ent sires claimed winners, it will Ivi recognised that honours were well did triVnied Descendants of Qilin Abbey placed their pit re lit at the he ; d of the list, a double w i n bv Dan Units and a single bv Qmuette contributing thereto. Marble Arch was the onlv other sire to claim more than one winner, the Isinrrlas.' horse being responsible for Narrow Neck and Hyde Park. At the Motnkoven Stetl Miss El I ice Ibv Bronzino -Eleruiue) .ml Piraeus (bv Demos-t.hessea--Kurnu.D have each produced a colt to Rom«o.