RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25069, 10 November 1942, Page 6

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel

Last Effort has done well, and has. Improved since he won at Motukarara All going well, he will be raced at the New Zealand Cup meeting. It is understood that a substantial offer has been refused for the Gay Circle — Wanda Robe two-year-old colt m A. McMullan's stable.

If the report that Atreus will carry 71b overweight to obtain the services ot C. T. Wilson in the New Zealand Cup is correct, it would probably mean a record *in an important flat race. Some years ago it was held against the New Zealand Cup that it generally ruined a horse, particularly a winner, who seldom won again. This idea was started by one who held a bias against Rlscarton, and it gathered strength by the fact that no one took the trouble to search the records of the race to find what truth, if any, existed in the statement. It is quite true that a horse may be ruined by such a race if not properly trained for a severe task. This particularly applies to the comparatively lenient preparation to which Cup horses were subjected in bygone years. The alleged deterioration of some Cup winners may have been due to a change of trainers or to the fact that handicappers are by no means disposed to treat winners of important races with leniency. The records show that some horses continued to show winning form after their success in the big race at Riccarton. If a horse is reasonably sound and properly trained no harm should result from a Cup preparation or a more or less severe race for winning honours. The facts supporting such a claim were published by the writer in the Otago Witness, and a brief reference may help to kill any prejudice about running a horse in the New Zealand Cup. Lochiel ran second in 1885 and 1886, and won in 1887. Rossfeldt ran a third prior to her win. Euroclydon won with 7.0, and was second the following year with 9.5. Nelson was second with 9.10, and won the Auckland Cup in three consecutive years, and, incidentally, the Dunedin Cup and other races Fulmen was second prior to dead-heating with Ideal. Canteen was unplaced and third prior to Winning. Paritutu followed a second to Noctuiform with three seconds in the Grand National Hurdles and a win in the Grand National Steeplechase. Midnight Sun followed a win with 8,0 with a third with 8.13. Warstep followed a dead-heat with Indigo with a win in the Auckland Cup. Sasanof did not call a halt in his very successful career with a win in the New Zealand Cup. Count Cavour ran third prior to his win, and also ran three seconds and a third in the Auckland Cup. Rapier won with 7.12, and the following year was second with 9.0. Past Passage won with 3.0, and followed this with another success in the Auckland Cup with 8.11. Cuddle won the New Zealand Cup with 7.13 and the Auckland Cup with 9.0 and 9.3. Other instances could be quoted where winners did not suffer from any injurious effects by winning the New Zealand Cup. In fact, it has proved to be a step towards even greater success, but sufficient has been said to kill any bias against running a horse in the race.