AUCKLAND CUP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22608, 22 December 1936, Page 7

AUCKLAND CUP

FINE' FIELD ENGAGED CUDDLE IN WINNING FORM PREVIOUS VICTORY RECALLED GOOD CONDITION OF WEROHIA BY ARCHER Additional interest has been lent to the Auckland Cup; to be run on the first day of the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting at Ellerslio on Saturday, by the return to winning form of last year's victress Cuddle at Otaki last week, when she carried 10.0 and won over a mile and a-quarter in 2.5 4-5. In spite of a tajxse of form in Australia in the spring. Cuddle has the distinction of being topweight for the Auckland Cup for the second year in succession, and with 9.3 she has 21b. over weight-for-ago and 31b. more than she successfully carried in the race record time of 3.23 1-5 12 months ago, when she had five lengths to spare from tlie runnerup, Senior, who was three-quarters of a length ahead of Fcrsen. Cuddle's return to the winning list may mean that Flood Tide's position as favourite may be threatened. However, she is a seven-year-old mare whose best, form has been fully exposed, whereas Flood Tide is an improving four-year-old of whom the best lias probably yet to be seen. With S.ll Flood Tid,e lias 31b. under weight-for-age, so that he wiii be meeting Cuddle 51b. better than scale terms and she is likely to fiud him very difficult to beat. Although he has raced only once this season, Flood Tide has had an excellent preparation at the hands of 11. Miller and his win with B.S in the Mitchelson Cup, I.} miles, in October, was most impressive. He has vetj to be tested at two miles, but he has given every indication of being a genuine stayer. Master Brierly a Stayer Besides stout breeding, Flood Tide has other qualities which suggest, the true stayer and he can be confidently expected to give a good account of himself if ho reaches the post fit, which his recent training indicates he will do. Factors in favour of Flood Tide are that he has the brilliance to secure a forward position early and is a most courageous finisher and these attributes should serve him well. The admirers of Flood Tide are sanguine that he will add to the fine record possessed by four-year-olds in the Auckland Cup, namely, 23 victories, and they have sound reason to be enamoured of his chance. Flood Tide will again be ridden by W. Bartle, who piloted him in the Mitchelson Cup. The proved stayer Master Brierly remains one of the solid fancies and is sure to have a substantial following if for no other reason that he is one of the few horses in the: field who have won at two miles. Without doing anything special, Master Brierly has been working well and it should not be for lack of condition if he fails to take a hand in the finish. Sporting Blood has raced unsuccessfully in Australia this season, although he was third to Silver Ring and Lough Neagh in the Spring Stakes at Rand wick, being just

over a length away from the winner, who ran tho mils and a-half in 2.31-j. Sporting Blood has contested two Melbourne Cups, finishing seventh when Marabou won in 1935 and near the rear this year. Although a fine performer at middle distances, it is doubtful whether he is relatively as good at two miles. Argentic and Fersen In spite of the fact that he has been placed at two miles and recently won the Metropolitan Handicap, li miles, at lticcarton, Argentic may not make a strong appeal. Last year ho was fourth with 7.9, and, even though he has shown improvement by winning two important handicaps this season, he may find the task of winning with 8.9 _ beyond him. Proof of Jonathan's staying ability is lacking, although his close second as a three-year-old to Silver Scorn in the Great Northern St. Leger, 1J miles, in 1933 indicated that ho was not entirely devoid of stamina. Jonathan is nicely placed, as far as weight is concerned, with 8.4 and should be dangerous if he can stay. It is 12 months since he was victorious, but his last run was his best this season and his chance may be better than his recent form would suggest. The New Zealand Cup winner Fersen is a solid stayer, but he lacks class. Last year he had only •'7.1 J when he finished third, and, notwithstanding that he has,made marked improvement in the meantime, it would be difficult to see him beating Cuddle if she were right back to her best. King Key, Mazir and Scotland are all doubtful quantities as stayers, although they have good form at middle distances and should not be without prospects if they can run on. The same applies to Dark Shadow and lie may find a solid two miles beyond him. although he has sufficient capacity to get a long way on the journey. Possibly Dark Shadow may be one who will assist the race to be run at a sound pace. A Likely Lightweight In appearance Werohia has made a good deal of improvement since ho finished second to Fersen in the New Zealand Cup. Actually he has never looked better and lie is a solid plodder ivho may prove one of the best of the lightweights. Although his recent form has been far from ' impressive, Con. Puoeo has always appealed as a likely stayer and he may be running on when many of the others are tiring. King Tut does not appeal in the class, but Kelly is a distinct possibility. Mungatoon was fifth last year, but would require to do better to win this time. Sunee's failure at Otaki rather discounts his chance, but it might be bettor if) take a line through his third in tho Metropolitan Handicap at Riccatton, which would make him a possibility. Knight of Australia is well and might run a good race, but the journey is likely to trouble Sinking Fund. A final payment of £6 is due at the post and possibly there may be a few defections, although at present that appears unlikely. A fine field and an excellent contest sceyi to be assured and some who may be in demand are Flood Tide, Master Bricrly, Cuddle and Werohia.

TROTTING FIXTURES December 2f>—Ashburton Trotting Club. December 2<i—(lore Trotting Club. December 20, 28 — Wairarapa Trotting Club. December ■_!(;. 28—Westport Trottinff Club. December <*2N, IK), 31—Auckland Trotting Club. December 29 —Win ton Trotting Club. January l, 2—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. January 1, s—Greymouth Trotting Club. ■Tanuary o—Cambridge Trotting Club. January Hi—Timarn Trotting Club. January 23 N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club. January '2B, 30—Forbury Park Trotting Club. January 30, February I—Nelson1 —Nelson Trotting Club. February 1. (J—Wellington Trotting Club. February 13—Canterbury Park Trotting Club February 20—New Brighton Trotting Club. February 20, 21 —Auckland Trotting Club. February 27 —Kaikouia Trotting Club. February 27 —Roxburgh Trotting Club.