THE AUCKLAND CUP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18894, 17 December 1924, Page 8

THE AUCKLAND CUP.

NOTES BY PICADOR.

Ihe posting of the acceptances for the Auckland. Trotting Cup, which is to bo decided at Alexandra Park on December 27. has caused interest in that event to quicken. Tho acceptors total 16 so that the field should bo a, good deal bigger than last year, when there wore only eight starters. It is to be hoped that backers will be more happy in their selections this year than the previous year when Blue Mountain Kintr and Steel Bell, two of the outsiders of the field. finished first and second respectively. Great Hope. Man o' War a.nd Realm share the honour of being the back-markers and they are conceding the limit division 96yds. Of the three Man o' War reads best, though on actual time he has only a fraction the best of it. Great Hone revealed excellent form at Addington last month, notching two wins and a second, and Realm, too, is first class, as he has often proved. It is doubtful, however, whether they can successfully concede tho sta.rtn and the winner may come from somewhere nearer the front of tho handicap. Acron figures on 60yds., and though he has been handicapped to do better than ho has ever previously done over two miles, is nicely treated. His victory in the Free-For-All at Addington was a brilliant performance, and if he can be induced to leave the mark correctly should take a deal of beating. On 48yds. is Lady Joan, who recently won a. double at Forbury Park, and is an improving mare, whose chance should be a good one. Both Lady Joan and Acron are trained by F. Holmes and will be braoketed, and the combination Bhould find considerable favour. The three horses on the 36yds. mark, Blue Mountain King. First Carbine and Logan Chief are good horses, and if at their best are more than possibilities. Of the trio First Carbine may be preferred in view of his victory in the Jellicoe Handicap last month, though I think Logan Chief will show us something better over two miles than he has yet accomplished. The remainder of the field are on the limit and amonor them they should set a merry pace. Jewel won the Alexandra Handicap in October in a style that suggested more victories during the season. Still, on figures, she has no pull in the handicap, all the other limit horses having recorded better tune than her, though it is in her favour that sheis improving, whereas several of tho others have probably seen their best. Hypo and Dreamahon are solid pacers, "but Ahuriri and Locanda Mac may hold them safe. Acron, Jewel. Ahuriri a.nd Locanda Mao should all make good showings, the two first-named being at present very -popular selections.