AUCKLAND TROTTING CUP

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2142, 27 December 1920, Page 5

AUCKLAND TROTTING CUP

TO-MORROW AT ALEXANDRA PARK, HOW THE CANDIDATES ARE r ARING. [Special to Th» Sun.J AUCKLAND, December 24. According to the local weather expert the Auckland Trotting Club is to be favoured with an ideal day for the opening of its summer fixture on Tuesday. The spacious grounds at Alexandra Park are likely to be rendered uncomfortable for the public by the clouds of dust that rise from the course as each horse goes by. The officials are endeavouring to cope with the dust nuisance; and intend giving the course a soaking overnight and engage several firemen to spray the track between each race. It is to be hoped the arrangement will suffice for, during training operations, anything behincLthe leading division is choked and blinded by the dust. Hence the prospects of the backmarkers to-morrow would be jeopardised. An Open Race. The Cup is all the rage, and the question as to what will win has caused every candidate to bo mentioned. Dur-i ing the last few days trainers have been busy applying the finishing touches to their respective teams, and while each one thinks he will score, none is sanguine his candidate is of the home-and-dried order. At headquarters there is no favourite, the experts picking no fewer than seven of the runners to finish first. At the time of writing, Homeleigh Dick is regarded as an unlikely starter; On his spin this morning he can have but little chance. F. E. Jones met with difficulties in transit and is not expected to arrive till the eve of the contest. This interferes with the prospects of Royal Step. Norah Creina and Oruarangi.

Last season's winner, Norah Criena, has been acquitting herseK thundering well and her work-out of 4min 28sec, each mile in 2rain 14sec,' has caused many to incline her way. Then the Waikato-owned Oruarangi is a vastly improved horse, and on track' essays points to finishing in front of Norah Creina, from whom he is in receipt, of 36 yards. Comedy Chief, too, is a better horse 'than When he won last autumn. Of the trio, Oruarangi will probably be most fancied on the day: He is fast coming into favour. Gold Girl is credited with running out two miles in 4min 32sec, but even so, that should not stand to her as compared with Lord Rose, who compassed a mile and a-half in a fashion to say he would beat those off his own mark. Little has been seen of Gold Boy, but it is known he is stepping great guns. Kewpie fell last week, and her injuries are likely to prevent her from taking her place at the post. Dillonwood and Man-o'-War. Dillonwood has arrived in excellent order, but the question is: "Can he stay?"' Woodyafe struck his knee early in the week and cannot be at his best on Tuesday. Moneymaker and Dean Dillon have done everything expected of them. On the trip up, Bryce 's horses fared none too well, but they have made an excellent recovery. All eyes are on Man-o'-War. In a spin over 12 furlongs, he was inclined to hang in a bit, but otherwise showed that he has '' all his buttons on.'' If the dust is controlled, he must have a great chance despite the flash work accomplished by some .of the front-markers. He begins like lightning, and it is on the cards that he will make up a good deal of his handicap over the first two furlongs. Thus well placed, such a fine stayer will be putting in some long ones at the finish. The race threatens to be hard and strenuous, and when the machine is closed on Tuesday, Qruarangi, Norah Creina and Man-o'-War are likely to be entrusted with the biggest investments. Tie Great Northern Derby. The Great Northern Derby also promises to be a tight go. Nelson Derby, who skipped over a mile and a-hajf in 3min 27sec, is as good a favourite as Childe Pointer, who has arrived.at Alexandra Park fit and well. Sir Henry is also in good fettle, as is Taraira, who gathered favour by the manner in which he compassed two furlongs in 31sec. The winner should come from Childe Pointer, Nelson Derby and Sir I Henry. •