SENSATIONAL CUP RACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20757, 27 December 1930, Page 11

SENSATIONAL CUP RACE.

REVERSAL OF PLACINGS. j MOTERE'S LARGE DIVIDEND. ROUT OF THE FAVOURITES. NIGHTMARCH HEAVILY BACKED. The Auckland Cup was the most, sensational race that ha« been run at Ellerslie for years. In the desperate finish between the two outsiders, Gay Crest and Motere, Gay Crest got home by a neck-after badly interfering with Motere, who had to ' be steadied and change his course from the outside to the inside. The horses had no sooner returned to the enclosure and the jockeys weighed-in than the judicial inquiry was commenced. The committee heard the evidence of several riders, and decided to reverse the judge's placings, awarding first place to Motere and second to Gay Crest. Motere was eleventh favourite in the field of 12, and returned a dividend of over half a century. The race was memorable not only on account of the bumping finish, but also for the rout of the favourites, which was one of the worst they have suffered for years. The public went very solidly for Nightmarch. who carried over £SOOO, Star Stranger and In the Shade, but the only one of the trio to give his supporters anything like a good run was In the Shade, who looked a likely place-getter until he got on the heels of another horse near the home turn and then lost his position. Standfast as Pacemaker.

The field left to a perfect start, and Concentrate showed out first from Gay Crest, who went on to make the running past tho half-mile post from Seatown, Star Stranger, Count Palatine, In the Shade, Standfast, Concentrate and Motere, with Paquito last. Running to the turn Standfast ran up very fust and assumed command in the straight, to lead past the stands three lengths clear of Gay Crest and Gay Cockade, who were followed by Seatown, Count Palatine, Star Stranger, In the Shade, Nassock, Concentrate and Motere, with Nightmarch and Paquito bringing up the rear. The positions underwent a good deal of change along tho back, when Nassock, In the Shade and Concentrate moved up, while Star Stranger and Count Palatino dropped back. Standfast was still showing the way to" Gay Cockade and Gay Crest with six furlongs to go, and it was here that Star Stranger went back to last. After passing the five furlongs post Gay Cockade went up to Standfast, and they were the leaders through the cutting from Gay Greet. In the Shade, Seatown. Motere, Concentrate and Count Palatine. Interference with Motere. Nearing tho home turn Standfast retired, leaving Gay Crest to lead into the straight from Gay Cockade, Motere. Concentrate and Count Palatine, with Nightmarch Bhowing tip at the head of tho bunch just behind. Gay Crest was just clear below the distance, but was challenged by Motere, who came on the outside, where Concentrate was also making an effort. About half a furlong from the post Gay Crest commenced to bore out badly and carried Motere right out. until about 40yds. from the post, when Motere had to be checked and go to the inside. Gay Crest then stayed on to ward off by a neck another dash by Motere. Concentrate was two lengths away third and Paquito was fourth. Next to cross the line were Gay Cockade, In the Shade, Seatown, Nightmarch, Star Stranger, Count Palatine and Nassock. with Standfast last. It was realised when the bumping occurred that the judicial committee would hold an inquiry, and there was great expectancy as to the outcome during tho moments in which the committee was deliberating. The decision to reverse the first and second placings did not create any surprise. A3 there is no doubt that Gay Crest interfered seriously with Motere. What the result would have been if Gay Crest_Jiad kept straight is difficult to conjecture, as there would have been very little in it one way or the other, although Motere's dash after being stopped suggested that he would have won. Failure of Top-weights. The failure of the top-weights was a great disappointment to most people. Possibly they were not helped by the very firm state of the track. The only one to make a good showing was Concentrate, and his performance in finishing third emphasised his worth as a genuine stayer. Star Stranger was well placed for a mile and a-quarter, but when the pace was clapped on he dropped back last and never had a chance afterwards. Nightmarch was kept well back most of the way and, although he was up fairly handy on the rails at. the home turn, he could not muster up sufficient dash to make any impression at the finish.

Motere was well back for the first mile and a-quarter, and then made a forward move, to bo up handy at tho half-mile and just behind the leaders at the turn. Gay Crest was always in the leading division and was unfortunate to have been first past the post and then lose the race. Paquito was near the rear until reaching the straight and then made a good run, to finish fourth. There is no doubt that he was affected by his soreness, and under the circumstances his effort was a good one. Seatown, Count Palatine and Nassock gave no trouble, but Standfast, who went from last round tho field to the front in the first half-mile, and Gay Cockade both showed up well for about a mile and three-quarters.