Northland Cup Has Drawn Good Field

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 485, 15 October 1928, Page 10

Northland Cup Has Drawn Good Field

CLASS WELL REPRESENTED MATERIAL FOR KEEN CONTEST Tho Northland Cup, the principal event of the attractive card to be submitted at Whangarei on Labour Day, has drawn a good entry of fair-class performers, who have been accorded marks by th, handicapper that will give followers of the pastime good food for thought. The Xorthland Club stages one the most popular fixtures on the country circuit, and past meetings on the Kensington Park racecourse Whangarei have proved successful anrt enjoyable. After shifting round the calendar each year since receiving its totallsator permit, the club has this season hit on

the plan of trying Labour Day, and being a gefteral holiday, there Is'promise of Northland staging a record function. Included in the field for the main item, are past cup winners in Gold Dial and Rockburn, Nelson Tasker (runner-up in last year's contest). Great Peter (a Great Northern Derby winner), and several others that give promise of proving themselves stayers this season. Some, Smart Pacers Taken on the whole Mr. Paul appears to have made an interesting handicap in this heat, although being rather severe on Nelson Tasker, who raced consistently on the country circuit last year in the various cups from a 4.37 mark without getting the thick end of the purse, and Sunfish (4.41), who failed at Wellington off 4.43, after being rehandicapped from 4.47. Of the front pair. Hohoro and The Abbey, the latter has the better credentials over this journey, and he is sure to be accorded good support if he makes the trip. True, he failed badly at Cambridge off 4.42, but his preparation had been interrupted and he will be a much fitter horse at Whangarei. The trotter Tiger Salve is a solid plodder and on 4.41 has been well treated, and he may prove equal to keeping tlile pacers busy. Sunfish failed from 4.43 at Wellington so ha* been well taken care of In being placed 12yds behind the front line. Joy Bird Can Stay Joy Bird (4.40) is a speedy mare and there is no doubt she will see the journey out. She ran a creditable go at New Plymouth when finishing third in the cup and must be kept in view for Northland. Ribbonwood’s Last does not look as if the two-mile journey will suit him, but also on 4.40 is Great Peter who has been promising to

do big things. The brother to Great Bingen, Peter Bingen and Co., was very expensive to his admirers last Easter at Hawera when started over ft distance, and again at Epsom in June he faded out of a two-mile contest after thirteen furlongs had been covered. He may stay better this year and promises to add interest to the event. Daytime (4.39) is getting more solid and staying on better, so will claim attention, but Lady Joan on the same peg, is well past her day and only the most optimistic would favour her chances of effecting a come-back. Rockburn is Coming Back Rockburn and Lord Nepean are together on 4.38 and the former should do better than his associate. In fact, if the Rock Huon gelding continues to improve in the interval he will make his presence felt on the day. Hughie Wallace and Gold Dial come next on 4.37, but the former appears to have lost his best form. Gold Dial won the event last year, after losing fully si**J yards at the start, and later succeeded in lifting the Te Aroha Cup after ft brilliant finish with Taipare. Any time the Weilsford-trained mare moves off smartly she is a danger to the oppo* sition. Nelson Tasker (4.36 J) does not look to have a chance of beating Williams’s mare with an even break, and the consistent pacer is set a stiff proposition. At this early stage The Abbey. Joy Bird—Daytime, Great Pete* Rockburn and Gold Dial will find moet favour, but the form of some of the field at Auckland will throw further light on the subject.