Auckland Pacer’s Popular Victory

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 548, 28 December 1928, Page 7

Auckland Pacer’s Popular Victory

GOLD JACKET’S FINE EFFORT

Both Irom a spectacular and speculative point of view the Auckland t up contest was a great success while the thrilling finish between the Northern representative Gold Jacket and Kohara will long live in the memory of those who witnessed the herculean struggle for supremacy.

There was a big rush for points of vantage when the field paraded lor tlif. principal event on the card, and ;i finer conditioned lot would not be seen on any course. The large crowd t ,f fans ran critical glances over the venous competitors, and while the opinion was general that every candidate bore l well-trained and wellseasoned appearance and seemed fit to run the race of their lives, the majority favoured Prince Pointer, Odd jacket. Kohara. Padlock and Cardinal Logan, and they were backed in this order. The least-fancied were the Xew Zealand Cup winner, Peter Bingen (who was the actual outsider). Queen’s Own. who ran a good race and finished fourth, and the local champion. Jewel Pointer. HOW THEY RAN The sole defection from the Cup was Imprint, leaving a field of 14. Prince Pointer retained his position as favourite, being supported to the extent of £2,331. with fair money for Odd Jacket £l,BOl, Kohara £1,120 and Padlock £950. Machine Gun and Talaro were slow off the mark, Padlock striking his straps smartly to lead along the back from Gold Jacket, Queen’s Own, Cardinal Kogan and Kohara. Passing the stands the field avhs well strung out. Padlock making play from Queen’s Own. Gold Jacket, Cardinal Kogan, Kohara. Terence Dillon. Prince Pointer, Jewel Pointer, and Peter Bingen. Kohara improved his position in the next lap, and passing the judge the second time he was lying

just behind Padlock. following this pair being Queen’s Own, Gold Jacket, Cardinal Kogan, Terence Dillon, Prince Pointer and Machine Gun. Down the back the field began to close on Padlock and Kohara. with Jewel Pointer dropping back, otherwise the order was little changed. Gold Jacket was up with Padlock as they turned for home, with Kohara and Queen’s Own very handy, and Cardinal Kogan and Prince Pointer next. Gold Jacket and Kohara drew out over the last bit, and in a rattling finish Gold Jacket obtained the verdict by a short head. Two and a-Jialf lengths away was Prince Pointer, three-parts of a length m front of Queen’s Own, with Cardinal Logan filth. Then came Padlock, Jewel Pointer. Great Bingen, Terence Billon, Peter Bingen and Jack Potts. After the Race Seen after the race, A. Bryce, driver of the winner, said he was always in a good position, and Gold Jacket was doing his work so well he never felt

any cause for uneasiness. Half a mile from home he felt confident of victory, and when he called upon his charge for a final effort the Gold Bell gelding responded like a real horse. “It was a close call, but still we got there,” concluded the driver. ‘‘With a little more luck in the running I think Kohara would have won,” | said Alex Corrigan, “but Gold Jacket I is a greatly improved horse and raced j like a champion, and showed fine I finishing powers. A couple of times during the race I struck trouble,” be added, "but he came so well again that I thought as we made for the straight he would win, but although he fought bravely he went under to a good one.” “I have no excuses to offer,’’ remarked W. J. Tomkinson. “Prince Pointer was going nicely and we covered no more ground than necessary, and while he gave of his best when asked for an effort, he had no chance in the run home with Gold Jacket and Kohara. To put it plainly, he was beaten by two better horses at the handicaps,” he concluded. Cup Presentation After Gold Jacket and his driver Andy Bryce had received the plaudits of the crowd. and owner Parkes escaped from the sheaves of congratulations showered upon him, he was presented with the beautiful gold cup by the lion. T. M. Wilford, M.F, who complimented the club on the splendid contest staged, the owner on his success and good fortune in possess-

ing such a high-class pacer. He also paid a tribute to reinsman A. Bryce, who was the recipient of a goldmounted whip. Cheers were given for those connected with the winner, trainer K. McMahon not being overlooked. Mr. Ted Parkes briefly acknowledged the compliments tendered and expressed pleasure at being the owner of the winner of such an important event as the Auckland Cup. He also referred to the fine work clone by trainer McMahon and the successful part played by reinsman A. Bryce in Gold Jacket’s various successes.