RAIN WILL SUIT LOGAN'S PRIDE IN CUP

NZ Truth, Issue 1305, 18 December 1930, Page 15

RAIN WILL SUIT LOGAN'S PRIDE IN CUP

RULING FAVORITES

UNCHANGED

WRACKLER AND HAROLD LOGAN ARE STILL POPULAR FANCY

WILL BE HARD FOR BACK -MARKERS

(From "N.Z. Truth's" North Island Trotting Eepresentative.) With the closing of acceptances Wrackler and Harold Logan are still the ruling favorites for the Auckland Cup. Logan Park was the only one to drop out, leaving sixteen acceptors, and the size of the field will not assist the back-markers, which will have to pass the "devil's number" on their two-mile jaunt.

THIS is going to affect Wrackler's chances somewhat, for he may find that at one stage or another it will be necessary to cover extra ground, and if such should be the case at the home bend, it may turn victory into defeat. Wrackler, however, will not be dropped solely on account of that, for at Auckland he has repeatedly shown that distance is no object to him and that he can sprint twice m a race. There are eight m front of Harold Logan, but a quick beginning will put him In a handy position, and this is where he will get an advantage over Wrackler. Harold Logan has gone 4.22 4/5 and Ib now set to. go 4.25. Wrackler has 4.24 1/5 against him and is handicapped on 4.23. The difference m th,e times is sufficient to send them Harold ' Logan's way, and that, coupled' with the field each of them will be called on to navigate, is a big point m the Logan Pointer gelding's favor. Last week F. Cotton considered Harold Logan the winner. This week he gives his representative, Logan's Pride, every bit as good a show provided he stands up to his work. A typical gay deceiver, Logan's Pride steps on and off the track as lame -as ten cats, but once warmed up he paces without a hitch and requires no urging. He is no puller. In fact, he could be driven with two pieces of cotton, and his condition is really top notch. If rain falls he can be estimated as having a first-class chance and it would come as no surprise to see him one or two. His recovery has lent a shade of doubt about Wrackler and Harold Logan being the only pair m the contest, and has given an air of interest to future proceedings. To hear Kohara's connections talk, they are expecting the trophy to come within grasping point, and by the way the black is clipping the daisies at Mangere, he is worth all the chatter.

Carmel is coming into favor, for he has gone 3 3/5 sees, faster, than he is handicapped to do. If time, then, is the basis on which they sum it up, why, then, silence about Carmel? Gold Jacket's feet ,have been coming m for attention, and side weights at the rear are expected to stop him from cross-firing. Trainer Lander McMahon informed "Truth" that if Gold Jacket is right he fears no foe, and Lander is not given to foolish statements. Because Free Advice was purchased recently by George Barton, those who make a study of the business reckon George had the Auckland Cup m his mind's eye when the deal was effected. Bill Tompkinson was behind the 1925 Cup-winner,, so it's time he got busy again, but Free Advice will need to have improved. At any rate, if m doubt, ask George. Syd. August is confident about Jewel Pointer, which is working well, and Tommy Grimmond gives Sunshower a rough show. Nothing is heard about Machine Gun, but the old saw that "no news is good, news" may be applicable m this case. Mountain Dell through tendon trouble has been eased m her work, but is now as fit as two fiddles. For all the notice they are taking of Padlock up north, he is not m the race, and the ex-Aucklander Native Prince is not given more than an outside show. If The Abbey could be persuaded to leave, hq would just about win, for no horse will strip fitter, and two miles at any pace is only a work-out for him. Florent and Reremai are not seriously considered, and any old price will be had about them on the day. The weather will need to be taken into account round about Cup day. At present Wrackler and Harold Logan are outstanding, while rainfall will bring Logan's Pride into prominence.