THE MITCHELSON CUP

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1930, Page 4

THE MITCHELSON CUP

WEIGHTS UNDER DISCUSSION RACE BEARS OPEN APPEARANCE. N.Z. CUP ASPIRANTS ENTERED. i This year finds an exceptionally good zJlection of horses entered for the Mitchelson Cup, and at this stage the race presents the early bettors with a difficult problem to solve. Last year’s winner tops the list, and Prodice, Count Palatine and Courageous, who are engaged in the New Zealand Cup, have been returned winners in the past few weeks. In adidtion to these, Star . Stranger, Seatown and others promise to make the contest dn Saturday week a great race. , Twelve months ago Historic was successful with 9.7, and a rise of 61b. does not appear to be prohibitive. The Nassau gelding was seen not very many removes from his best form when he contested the Avondale Cup last week, and he should be even better for that race. Prodice has won over this distance and, though she would be better suited by a shorter course, she won so decisively at Avondale that she must be one of the early favourites. Her prospects would be considerably enhanced if the going at Ellerslie was soft. Star Stranger cannot gallop on a heavy track, and that was why he failed to make any showing last Saturday, but he is too good to be condemned for that failure, and the extra furlong will be in his favour. Last year he was unlucky to be beaten a neck, and, if Wanganui form is any criterion, he is more at present than he was at this time last year. Seatown was one of the unlucky ones at Avondale, and should he be none the worse for his fall on Monday, the racing should bring him on. Panther will need to do much better than has yet been seen of him and, at equal weights, True Blood looks a better proposition than Eager Rose. Count Palatine won so well at Wanganui that it looks as if he will need only to improve slightly to stand a great chance here. There is*not much doubt about his going the full distance, and this race should be a good trial for the New Zealand Cup. On form Mendip and Standfast cannot make a great deal of appeal, although both are well, and the distance should beat them. Desert Glow is one of the plodding type, but the old fellow seems to be past his best and he would create a surprise if he turned up trumps. My Own'will need to improve considerably on her Wanganui form, and it looks as if the smaller meetings will suit her better. High Pitch won at the beginning of the season, but he went so poorly under favourable conditions at Avondale that he cannot be recommended. Paddon will find the distance beyond, him, but not so Courageous, who appeals as a solid type of stayer. There was a great deal of'merit in his win over 10 furlongs at Wanganui. If he is to be considered in the New Zealand Cup he must be expected to run a big race in this event. Eight have been given the minimum impost, and they have deserved no more. They do not look like offering any serious opposition to the good horses, and of their lot the only one with a reasonable chance would appear to be Nassock. In coming to a conclusion the mudlarks must be separated from the horses that favour good tracks. Historic, Prodice, Seatown and True Blood all handle the slush well, but Star Stranger, Count Palatine and Courageous go best when the going is firm. However, under good conditions I would incline to favour the prospects of Star Stranger, Historic and Count Palatine. » st # • Judging by the way Haze won at Ashburton, he should again beat Pangolin at Geraldine to-day. » « * « Saturday’s form points to Tray Bond being at odds-on for the Ohapi Handicap to-day. Standard Rose and The Geisha may be next in Demand. While Starshooter promises to be favourite for the Geraldine Cup to-day, High Court and Town Major will keep him moving. * a u e Royal Game will probably be favourite for the Belfield Handicap at Geraldine to-day, but Desert Song will keep the topweight on the move. Limerick’s Legs Sound. In a letter F. D. Jones stated that he was shipping Arikiwai back by Friday’s boat and the gelding should be at Riccarton on Wednesday. Arikiwai had suffered from soreness since arrival, but the trouble was not serious and did not cause any cessation in his preparation. He is to be kept in work at Riccarton, and although he has missed the nominations for the meetings near at hand he will probably be seen out again next month. In regard to Limerick Jones said he had suffered from a bad attack of kidney trouble, necessitating veterinary treatment, but when Jones wrote he anticipated the trouble being overcome. This was Limerick’s only ailment, as his legs had given no trouble whatever and he was actually as sound as ever. The Count Is Well. One of the most pleasing track-work-ers at Wanganui lately has been Count Palatine, and it looks as if the four-year-old son of Paladin will add further to his laurels before very long. In the Marangai Handicap at the recent Wanganui meeting he won nicely from a good field with 7.7, and Mr. McManemin does not appear to have treated him badly in the Mitchelson Cup with 7.10. The Count is a proved stayer, and has a liking for the Ellerslie course, and it is safe to say that he will have many more friends there next month than he did when he returned nearly a third of a century at the river city.