What Might Have Been In Auckland Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 547, 27 December 1928, Page 10

What Might Have Been In Auckland Cup

It is extraordinary the luck of the racing game. "Without it no one can win. Never was this more noticeable than in yesterday’s Auckland Cup. And yet it cannot be gainsaid that were the race to be run over again with the same conditions underfoot, the same three horses would bo in the places, although it is just possible that the actual finishing position might be changed. Whether that is actually so of course cannot be proved without resort to the crystal, and not being given to necromancy it can be left at that. The ’’buts" and “ifs” in racing are real tragedies. For instance: if Catkin’s rider had not thought the Cup was to finish at the halfmile post. If Cori r»ix had not bored out on to Laughing Prince. If the rider of* Corinax had been right-handed instead of a southpaw. And so on ad lib. Suffice it to say that the victory of Corinax was very favourably received, for he is trained at Ellerslie by his owner, J. Williamson. who turned his representative out. in apple-pie order. For quarter of an hour before the fray steady rain was falling, and the horses had to travel the two miles through ground that was becoming stickier and stickier, and facing the rain at every stage except the two occasions they were racing up the straight. It Made a Difference The changed conditions from the perfect track of Monday was reflected in the totalisator. It is probable that Count Cavour would have been favourite in either case, but there would have been much more money for Hoylake and Oratrix. The result of tho race showed once again that the favourite in an Auckland Cup is a horse to shun, for Count Cavour was just outside a place at the finish. It was surprising that little better than two to one was obtainable about the Southerner. It was perhaps a coincidence that he should finish fourth at his fourth attempt, but his supporters would not appreciate this interesting little point. Always Handy There was very little delay at the peg, Hoylake shooting to the front at tho rise of the barrier. Then Corinax hit the front soon after, and from this out he was never further back than second. Catkin, Corinax and Papatu were running neck and neck six furlongs from home, and then Catkin gradually drew out. Passing the halfmile post he was out five lengths from Corinax, but his rider was to learn that Auckland Cups are not to be won three to four furlongs from the judge. He was two lengths to the good of Corinax at the turn for home, with Laughing Prince another couple of lengths back, but at the distance they were all in a heap. -»• That Jostling Catkin was close to the rails making for the post, but this was against him, for the ground was well cut up there. On the other hand Corinax was out a bit wide, and then Laughing Prince seemed to collide with him. Over the last furlong Corinax and Laughing Prince fought out a hot finish. The riders probably hampered each other, for Cammick was using the whip in his left hand, and L. Morris was at it hammer and tongs with the right. This pair finished at a tangent, with Corinax apparently fairly outstaying Laughing Prince over the last 50 yards. To this extent at any rate the doubting Thomases about Laughing Prince’s stamina were not far off the track. However, the honours of the Cup contest rested with the Fordell gelding, for he was conceding the winner 221 b, and was forced to cover extra ground almost throughout the whole journey, while Corinax enjoyed a beautiful run on the rails for most of the %way. Still, there it is. and Corinax’s proud

owner carried off the Cup and more reinstated the Kller«lie c Ce as a venue for turning out horses. Tilley also had Laushh? I’nnce in tho pink of condition ninE Catkins backers were, to sav o. least, unlucky, for the reason bri.a stated above. It looked as if Coi Cavour’s jockey made his run .C* too early, for he was passing tired animals five and a-hal£ furW from home. Will Do Better Hoylake was never going like winner, and it was apparent that thr elements had conspired against him Then he was always on the outsider a couple of horses, and this did nor improve matters. He is one to keen in mind for the bis handicaps lat.. on at the fixture. Talisker ran himself out throuah fighting with his pilot. He was puff ins double at the end of seven f u ' longs (up to which time the pacehat not been fast), and Wiggins had ° hard job to keep him off the heelsof tho horses in front. Desert Glowwent a good race without at any stage an pearing actually dangerous. Oratrix was a great disappontmem hut her indifferent showing can he attributed to the soft track. -

could not raise a gallop and was always in the ruck. Papatu failed to run on after being near the leaders all the way, and Mask was a failure, for he was beaten quite apart from not being able to see it out. He was very much off colour. Saw Them Home Tidal could not handle the conditions, and after being in the ruck for most of the way he dropped out five furlongs from home and disputed last place with Transformer, finishing a head in front. The latter absolutely disgraced himself, for he tailed off right from the jump, and at one stage had as much as a dozen lengths between him and the last horse of those in front of him. It was really a case of Australia first and second and the rest nowhere, for both Laughing Prince and Corinax were bred across the Tasman, being purchased cheaply. It will be surprising if Laughing Prince goes through the remaining three days’ racing without earning a winning bracket. He was at a fine price in the Cup, and so, too, was Corinax, whose gallops on Saturday and Monday were good enougli to cause him to be sent out favourite. The fact that the stewards themselves decided to inquire into the finish between Corinax and Laughing Prince was not surprising, but they found there was no evidence to cause them to alter the placings, a verdict which could not be otherwise than favourably received.