TROTTING CUP TRIALS

Southland Times, Issue 23335, 20 October 1937, Page 10

TROTTING CUP TRIALS

ELIMINATION SERIES (Special to The Times) WELLINGTON, October 19. The Oamaru, Hutt Park and Auckland trotting meetings during the next fortnight will provide a reliable guide for the New Zealand Cup meeting next month. The Cup horses will be catered for at the three meetings, and especially at Hutt Park and Oamaru will be strongly represented. In view of the fact that several Cup horses are to be eliminated the form of the Cup contenders will be highly valued. Although the Aucklanders, Bonny Azure and King’s Warrior, seem assured of holding their places, the southerners will be endeavouring to cement their positions, at both Oamaru and Hutt Park. As a consequence racing in this class at both meetings will be of more than usual interest. It is disconcerting to note that the only race that Indianapolis will have before Cup day is at Oamaru on Labour Day. The Wrack stallion has had to be eased in his work and in view of this fact he will require racing to fit him for an effort as the Cup race requires. It would appear more than likely that Indianapolis will not line up in the cup race, although there is always the argument that his trainer may consider him forward enough. However, a big horse of his type would appear to benefit greatly by racing. The Western Handicap at Oamaru—a 2.44 mile and a-quarter—will be one of the big attractions in view of the close approach of Cup week and the value of near-at-hand form. Although not a Cup contender Supertax is one who will have to be counted on and the one most likely to down the remainder of the opposition, practically all Cup horses. Supertax is a brilliant sprinter and his New Brighton form suggested that he would take a power of beating in his next start. Rocks Ahead has not been produced since National week when she established a consistent record both ar a sprinter and over two-mile journeys. The Southland mare was in fine order in August and she too will keep the Cup horses busy. Glenrossie is always capable of a surprise but Lucky Jack did not impress over a similar distance at New Brighton. Satin King will have to be taken on trust as it is a long time since he last raced. He is attempting a “comeback,” and very few have achieved this distinction. De Soto is a doubtful proposition but Llewellyn’s Pride has a more impressive record as a sprinter than a stayer. ENGAGED EARLIER Willow Wave is engaged in the President’s Handicap over two miles, and although he will incur a penalty if successful in this event, it must not be overlooked that it carries a stake of £550. His chance in this race will have to be respected. Worthy Light is a better sprinter than a stayer. He started at New Brighton from 60yds back but was not in the picture in a slow run race. Even had he won this race it would not have enhanced his Cup chance greatly as the opposition was not of any great strength. Gamble will be M. B. Edwards’s sole representative, War Buoy having his run at New Brighton last week. There is good reason why War Buoy’s chance in the Cup should be respected, and it will be interesting to see if Gamble fares as well as his stable-mate did at Brighton. There are few pacers of Gamble’s brilliance, but he is not tne most genuine. Blue Mountain will not be as well suited by the sprint distance as a number but it will serve to tune him up and give a line on his form. Rolle is always to be reckoned with. He ran a great half at New Brighton in finishing second to 'Village Guy and can be counted on to repeat the dose. He will be endeavouring to further cement Iris claims as a Cup contender. INDIANAPOLIS TO REAPPEAR Most interest will centre in the appearance of Indianapolis. The latest theory about the maintaining of the 4.26 Cup limit is that had it been tightened to 4.25 Indianapolis would have won his fourth Cup without much difficulty. The additional 12yds and the cluttering of limit marks now makes his task next to impossible. Absence of recent racing is going to find him at a disadvantage in the Cup, and there is a growing idea that he will be reserved for free-for-all events. Cloudy Range will be a worthy bracket with Indianapolis and he is one capable of keeping this field busy. Village Guy is running against the strongest opposition he has yet met but the manner in which he was finishing on at New Brighton in finishing fourth to War Buoy gave the impression that he will not be outclassed in this company. Great interest will be manifested in the form of the Cup horses at Oamaru, and later in the Cup trial race at Hutt Park, as the stewards of the Metropolitan Club may regard these races as elimination contests. Some of the Cup candidates are almost certain to be asked to stand down and those who are to the fore at Oamaru and Hutt Park will hardly be denied a chance on Cup day. The task of elimination will be no easy one and these meetings will more than likely add to the difficulty. In the Western Handicap at Oamaru Supertax, Willow Wave and Village Guy may be the best fancied. At Auckland Bonny Azure and King’s Warrior will be raced on Labour Day but the classes will not altogether suit this pair. BOXING PLUTO KNOCKED OUT IN LONDON LONDON, October 19. Jack Powell, of Sheffield, knocked out Cyril Pluto, of Western Australia, in the fourth round. JENKIN BEATS STIRLING OAMARU, October 19. A professional boxing contest for the New Zealand welterweight title was fought in the Opera House tonight between Don Stirling, the holder, lOst 21b, and Stan Jenkin, the challenger, lOst 6®lb, both of Oamaru. A large crowd witnessed the bout, which was of 15 three-minute rounds, and which went the full distance. Jenkin won on points.