AUCKLAND CUP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23209, 1 December 1938, Page 11

AUCKLAND CUP

REVIEW OF WEIGHTS ISSUE APPEARS VERY OPEN LIKELY EARLY FAVOURITES THE RAILWAY HANDICAP

BY ARCIIER

Interest, in tho Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting has been stimulated by the appearance of the weights for the Auckland Cup, two miles, and the Railway Handicap, six furlongs, which aro the principal handicap events on tho first day. Tew of tho horses entered for the Auckland Cup have shown any form at two miles and at this stage the issue appears very open. » Pride of place is occupied by Padishah, who lias 9.0. He failed last year with 7.5}, but his form in the meantime has been good, bis victories including tho Wellington Cup and the Metropolitan Handicap at Riccarton. When ho won tho latter race lie had 5.8 and he is set to meet Tho Buzzer, who was third, on 61b. worse terms. Padishah should not bo out of it, but ho is in a position in tho weights where ho will not find it easy. The Buzzer won the raco last year with 7.G and this time he has 8.11. He is one of tho proved stayers of the field and at Riccarton last month he was second in tho Now Zealand Cup with 8.3 to Arctic King, 8.1, whom he is set to meet on lib. better terms for a head defeat. On the form there should not bo much to chooso between the two, although Tho Buzzer being the younger is tho more likely to improve. Chanco for Willie Win Willio Win, who ran second in tho Melbourne Cup in 1937 with 8.1, has been allotted 8.12. He recently showed signs of returning to form by finishing fourth in tho New Zealand Cup with 8.12 and fourth in the Metropolitan Handicap with 9.0. For the reason that ho is a proved stayer, Willie Win may bo a strong fancy. Flood Title has not raced recently and he way not be ready. With 8.11 ho has tho same weight as when ho started second favourite and failed in 1936. Argentic, who has contested the raco on tlireo previous occasions, has been awarded 8.11. He was fourth with 7.9 in 1935, second with 8.9 in 1936, and third last year with 8.11. Another good effort may bo expected of him, although he is now in bis tenth year and not likely to do any bettor than previously. Wild Chase, who was second in the New Zealand Cup in 1937 with 8.13, has received 8.11, which is tho samo as he carried when unplaced at Ellerslie last year. Wild Chaso recently won tho Fendalton Handicap, 1} miles, with 8.8, and was second to Defaulter in the Canterbury Cup. Wild Chaso should be capable of a solid effort if produced fit. Round Up has performed attractively up to a milo and a-quartor and he may go on further. He lias been allotted 8.8, which has also been given to Mazir, who ran fourth in 3936 with 7.11. Mazir should have prospects if ho stands up to a thorough preparation. Trench Fight has good form and is also on the 8.8 mark. If relatively as good at two miles as at shorter disstances ho would bo very difficult to beat, but there may bo a doubt about him running tho journey right out. Quadroon Handily Placed

Quadroon is handily placed with 8.3 and ho is a consistent performer who belongs to a good staying family. Quadroon should go well. Wotan, who won the Melbourne Cup two years ago with 7.11, won recently at Feildiug. and, although ho failed with 8.5} in tho New Zealand Cup, tho fact that ho is a proved stayer draws attention to him. Master Bricrly is another stayer and is nicely placed with 8.2. Although lie has not won lately, he has done well enough in his recent races to indicate that ho may show form at any time. . Cerno Abbas won the New Zealand Cup last year with 7.10, but she failed in tho Auckland Cup with 8.1, and now has 7.12. However, she has had a rest since returning from Australia. Valamito and Malagigi are capable handicap performers, but the former might find the distance too far. Malagigi has 7.10, under which he failed in tho New Zealand Cup, but lie should iiavo a chance to make amends. Knight of Australia, who was second last year with 7.5, has lib. more this time and he may bo ono of the likely lightweights. Francis Drake, also on 7.6, has shown no form this season, but lie is nicely pl'K'ed and is a full-brother to tho good stayer Admiral Drake, winner of tho raco in 1931. Kelly, fourth last year with 7.1, has 7.4 and ho should have a good chance. Light-weight Possibilities

Sly Fox has 7.3, or 71b. loss than when ho failed irt tho New Zealand Cup last month, when he tired after leading into tho straight. Dictate and Kena are a pair of possibilities, and other'likely light-weights are Birthday Boy, an improver, Tidewaiter, Happy Landing, Palinint, Paddy the Rip and Tlio Bigot. It is certain that the early fancies will take a wide range and somo who may find favour are The Buzzer, Quadroon, Wotan, Master Brierly, Kelly and Malagigi. ' Tho Railway Handicap field is headed bv Stretto, who won last year with 7.4, and on this occasion li;is > 9.7. Stretto has shown brilliant form in tlio meantime, and, although sho is set a difficult task, she represents good class and is a solid weight-carrier. Courtcraft is a brilliant galloper and ho has 9.5, or 41b. over weight-for-agc. Ho has been off the scene for somo timo and has not made an appearance this season. Paper Slipper and Oratory are fine sprinters who liavo earned their imposts, 9.3 and 8.12 respectively. Llangollen and Orate have fine form this season and are not overburdened with 8.10. Smoke Screen would have a chance with 8.12 if thoroughly fit and Marie's Aero appears nicely placed with 8.5. Dungarvan and Whirling liavo 8.8 and 8.0 respectively and both aro oapahlo of running good races. Tho three-year-olds To Hero, 8.3, Philcourt, 7.11, and Disdain, 7.4, read nicely placed and the last-named may bo ouo of the early favourites. Fancies for the Sprint

There are many others in the field who have been given chances and among them are Suleiman, who won rapid promotion last season, Laughing Lass, Counterblast, Bovevrus, Anion, Pulustrc, Hunting Blood, To Monowni and Maxam. Counterblast run third in tlio Stewards' Handicap' at Hiccarton with 7.10 and a similar effort should make her dangerous with 7.9. The race is very open and among the early fancies may bo Counterblast, Disdain, To Hero, Mario's Acre, Paddy the Hip, Stretto and Llangollen. RACING FIXTURES December 3—Otaki Maori Racing Club. December no—Horornta .Racing Clul». .December 1 io, 12—Woodvilio District Jockay Clul). December 17 —Waipa Racing Club. December 21, *2O, 27—Mann watu Racing Club. December 2U—Waipukurau Jockey Club Decomber 20, 27—Dunediu Jockey Club. Dcceml)er 20. 37—Taranaki Jockey Club December 2<5, 28, January 2, 3—Auckland Racing Club. December 28 —Weslland Racing Club. December 31, January 2—Wairurapa Racing Club. December 31, January 2 —Greymouth Jockey Club. December 31, January 2—Hawko's Bay Jockey Club. January 2 —YVaikouaiti Racing Club. January 2—Wyndham Racing Club. January 2. 3—Stratford Racing Club. January 2, 3—Marton Jockey Club. January 3—Oamaru Jockey Club. January 8, 4—Southland Racing Ciuh,