TROTTING CUP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 9

TROTTING CUP

REVIEW OF THE FIELD

FINE CHANCE FOR DE SOTO INDIANAPOLIS' BIG TASK BY ABAYDOS Although only four of the horses handicapped for the New Zealand Trotting Cup have dropped out an oversize field of 18 remains, seven being on the iimit, 4.20. In view of the 4.25 i limit set for the Auckland Trotting Cup next month, the form of those , eligible, will be closely watched during the three days' racing. Ten of the Cup runners on Tuesday are on 4.25. While, none of the limit horses makes a strong appeal, ; three young pacers by Jack Potts—Gamble, Lucky Jack and Pot Luck —are not without prospects. Gamble has not won for some time, but ho is just the type to create a surprise, as his ability is well-known. Pot Luck's form this term has been good, but that of Lucky Jack has been better. He won the National Handicap —always a useful Cup try-out—go-ing 4.21 3-5, in a hard and truly run race. Reporter added to a large list of successes by scoring in the August Handicap, but the race was only a sprint home, and gave no guide on his prospects as a real two-mile proposition. Tempest was third in the National Handicap in 4.20, and substantiated that fine effort by winning the Farewell Handicap in 2.39 2-5. Auckland Candidates Glenrossie, who was second to Harold Logan in 1932, and Bingen Palm, are sturdy campaigners not likely to make any further improvement. Of those on 4.25, the Aucklandtrained King's Warrior and Bonny Azure will command respect. The chance of the black gelding appears the brighter at the distance, although the mare*dead-heated with him at Hutt Park in February, both going 4.22. He lias had two sprint, races, this term, running second to Our McKinney at Auckland,, and to De Soto at Hutt Park. King's Warrior won the' last Auckland Trotting Cup in 4.20 4-5, and scored in the King George Handicap in August. His most striking performance was his second to Lucky Jack in the National Handicap in 4.18 .4-5,'. when conceding the winner 36 yards. King's Warrior has come through his preparation in first-class style, and he should be one of the hardest to beat. Graham Direct also lias an Auckland Cup success to his credit, and is a better horse than some of liis recent efforts suggest. Ho was racing "with form at the August meeting, and ran a splendid course for fourth __ in the National Handicap, in 4:19 1-5. If he lias made further progress, Graham Direct, who stays well, will have good prospects. ', . > War Buoy hasf contested the last two. Cup events. In 1935 lie separated Indianapolis and Red Shauow, and last November, was beaten into third place Tiy the same two horses. He has stamina and should the track be yielding, his chance will be enhanced. Form of Blue Mountain Willow Wave is one of the best twomile horses in the field, but a tendency to lose ground at. the start will not make him popular. Worthy Light is 'racing with his former dash, over short courses. • The Tasmanian-bred Evicus, who lias a mile record of 2.3, has not produced her best at this time of the year. In the Ashburton Cup of 1935 in receipt of 48 yards from Roi.l'Or, she made the latter put up a course record of 4.15 4-5 to beat her, and a week later at the Canterbury Park New Year meeting, was narowly beaten by Blue Mountain in 4.20. Cloudy Range has more than once won good handicaps in 4.21, and he cannot be disregarded. Blue Mountain and De Soto are on 4.24, and make a strong appeal. Blue Mountain is a genuine stayer, and in the 1924 race, was second to Indianapolis, 4.15 4-5, going 4.1". while Harold Logan, for third, ran 4.12 2-5, creating his world's race record. In August Blue Mountain ran Tempest to a neck in the Farewell Handicap, going 2.38 3-5, and gelding is expected to beat most of his opponents. The success of Dc Soto at Oamaru and Hutt Park have brought him into the limelight again, and he will most likely bo the favourite. He proved his value at t\yo miles, when he won the Adams Memorial Cup and C. F. Mark Memorial Handicap at Auckland last vear, and his subsequent fine form at Addington and Oamaru won him many friends for last year's New Zealand' Cup. but a mishap kept him out of the race.

Indianapolis, thrice winner, has a big task from 4.20, but he is such a remarkable horse that he cannot be left out of calculations. The big field in front of him will add to the difficulty, but with anything like a reasonable' run, he should be handy. There will be §eveiial brackets, including the Barton trio, Indianapolis, Cloudy Range and Tempest,, War Buoy and 'Gamble, King's Warrior and Bonny Azure, Pot Luck and Worthy Light. Horses most sought after tniay be I)o Soto, King's Warrior, Indianapolis, Graham Direct and Blue Mountain. TAKANINI TRAINING HIGH QUALITY ENJOYING REST There was little galloping at .Takanini yesterday owing to the absence of nine horses for Whangarci. The inside grass, with the poles out 15ft., and plough were again in use. A strong wind was against the horses up the straight and the weather was very cold. The first to work was Mia Acra (J. Pi-use), who ran three furlongs in 435. He has only recently returned to the track but bears a healthy appearance. liigh Sea (G. Smith) was being kept going at the finish to run four furlongs in oos, the last three in 425. His stablemate, Silver Glow (Jones) bettered this time by running the same distance after breakfast in 51s. Silver Glow seemed scratchy afterwards. On the plough Anion was led'over a round of strong pace work by Inver. The former infuses a lot of dash into his work. Others to work on .this track were Red Ledger, Round Up, Valamito, Pamela, Grateful, Lap Up, Romatii, Ivy Wilonyx, Poker Dice,.Bon Star, Inquisitor, Lady Ruler and Tea k. Unfortunately for W. Townsend, Bon Star is ajzjain showing signs oF-soreness and he was not taken to Whangarci. Bon Star is a good galloper and it is a pity that unsoundness prevents the best being seen of him. The two-year-old Royal Ace, who developed a cold in the early spring, has completely recovered and is now a regular attendant on the tracks. He. has grown and thickened and may prove useful later. Be is now owned by Mrs. Roberts. High Quality, who won at his last start over, hurdles at Ellerslie, is now enjoying a well-earned rest. Palustre, who does not require a great deal of galloping, will have her next race at the Takapuna meeting; Lapadarian, who will be ridden by T. Green in the maiden class at Whangarci, has been working very well and may be very hard to dispose of. Bachelor King, who is likely to make ait early return to winning form, should be assisted in his engagements at Whangarci if rain comes to easo the tracks.