Middle Distance Horse May Come Home

NZ Truth, Issue 1035, 26 September 1925, Page 13

Middle Distance Horse May Come Home

Cup Prospects at Avondale

WATCH THE BANKER AND TANADEES

(From "Truth's" Special Auckland Rep.)

Punters will have a hard task to sort out the winner of the Avondale Cup owing to the fact that this suburban track is partial to middle distance horses.

Still the race may prove a duel between two prads with recent victories to their credit — The Banker and Tanadees.

Income is stated to be right back to his best.

A glance at the Cup records reveals that the winners have come from horses of all ages and carrying all manner of weights, from 6st 91b to lOst 81b, while some really first-class "handicappers" have been numbered among the victors.

Though the Avondale track is laid out to give the sprinter with only fair staying prospects a show, that must not be taken to mean that the true stayer's prospects are hopeless, still it has to be admitted that if the stayer is to survive ho or she must have speed enough early to gain a good position

This Saturday's field for the "2000---pounder" includes that good classic and handicap performer Rapine, who has had two recent races to fit him for his task.

He has a good load m 9st 91b for a mile and a-half, but there are those who contend that because of the 71b rise m the minimum this year he is not being set sxich a hard task as was Gold Light last year, when she won with 9s t "31b.

While not entirely holding with that argument, "Truth" would nevertheless be prepared to support Rapino against Gold Light over a mile and ahalf.

Musketoon is a really good horse, but the Avondale turns have troubled him m the past.

He has won up to twelve furlongs at Ellerslie, and captured the Parliamentary Handicap (I 1 /* miles) at Trentham m July with plenty of weight m the saddle.

He is not entirely done with yet awhile.

The two that appeal most are The Banker (8.6) and Tanadees (8.5). They come with recent racing and victories to recommend them.

The Banker is bred to stay, and was going on when he took a mile and 110 yards handicap from Alaric and Co. with Bst 61b at Wanganui recently, while Tanadees has captured two ten -furlong events (at Dannevirke and Trentham) m the past month. He also won a six-furlong sprint at Trentham.

It is lack of real staying power which seems to be the trouble with quite a lot of those engaged, but the prospects of White Comet, Pelham, To Monanui and Barometer must all be discussed because of the fact that the track is partial to middle distance winners of their pace.

Should both The Banker and Tanadees secure favorable positions early m the race, they should be m the picture when the judge's box is reached.