Strong Field For Auckland Trotting Cup

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26958, 18 December 1948, Page 5

Strong Field For Auckland Trotting Cup

Once again the South Island will be well represented at the Auckland Trotting Cup meeting. Eleven pacers have been nominated for the Cup from the south. They are Congo Song, Jackie Guy, Lady Averil, Local Gold, Grattan Drive, Maudeen, Captain Sandy, Ingle Belmer, Globe Direct, Aberhall and Nyallo Scott. The Auckland champion, Single Direct, who will start from 60 yards, is one of the favoured candidates, and the task may not be beyond the ability of the holder of the world grass track record of 4min 11 2-sscc. Congo Song, Captain Sandy, and Maudeen have shown a liking for the Auckland course, all having been returned winners there earlier in the season. Congo Song won a treble, but has not shown his best form since then. Captain Sandy was a dual winner and he has improved with every race since, and Maudeen, who won over two miles, has raced consistently, but without much luck. Lady Averil and Jackie Guy were winmers at the Wellington meeting. There is strong Auckland support for Lone Raider, a son of Raider, one of the most successful sires in Australia. He appears to be in the pick of the Auckland horses on the limit, but his chances would be enhanced if the track became easy Grattan Drive and Ingle Belmer are expected to show up, but Nyallo Scott and Aberhall do not appeal. Local Gold and Globe Direct have shown glimpses of their best on occasions this season and either of them is capable of a surprise. Single Direct and Captain Sandy are the favourites at this juncture

Jottings Withdrawals for the Winton meeting are due on Monday. Nominations for the Timaru meeting are due on Monday. First Appearance Isa Lei, who will be making her first appearance at the Tapanui meeting today, is a candidate for the Winton Juvenile Stages. She is a Black Globe filly from a useful race mare in Indianola, a half-sister by Wrack to Young Frank. At Tapanui

Quick Trick, dne of those on the limit mark in the Mclntyre Handicap Trot at Tapanui to-day. is a five-year-old by Grattan Loyal from Holly Potts, and is trained at Wyndham by E. Todd. At the Invercargill meeting in October, Quick Trick was third to Fernbrook Jack and Plausible in the first division of the Novice Handicap. Casanova Gelding

At the Wairio meeting last Saturday. Shadova collected a win and a second, and he will be among those supported for the Mclntyre Trot at the Tapanui meeting to-day. An aged gelding by Casanova from Black Shadow, he had previously run fourth to Landlight, Bonnie Drive and First Despatch in a division of the Limehills Trot at the Winton Jockey Club's meeting last month.

Champion Stakes Eleven three-year-olds have accepted for the New Zealand Champion Stakes to be run at Ashburton on Boxing Day. With Bronze Gold. Perpetua, Spring Fashion and Tradition engaged, a keen contest for the major honours seems certain. The early favourites are Bronze Gold and Perpetua, but if Spring Fashion leaves the mark on terms with the field, she may be one of the hardest to beat. Demetrius will he Suited

Demetrius, who Is off 12 yards in the Mid-summer Handicap at Ashburton, has not raced since early in November, when he ran fourth to Indianote, Bull's Eye, and Whipster over two miles at Addington. Owned and trained by O. E. Hooper, the four-year-old Springfield Globe gelding may give a good account of himself. He wili be well suited by the mile and a-half journey.