SOLVING CUP PUZZLE

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1930, Page 4

SOLVING CUP PUZZLE

SYDNEY FORM IS VALUABLE

NO PHAR LAPS AGAINST NIGHTMARCH

IN THE SHADE AND COUNT PALATINE

Never before has the New Zealand Cup prospect been so completely overshadowed by Australianx spring form, and there is little room to doubt that Nightmarch and In The Shade have been seen in stronger limelight than other Cup aspirants whose spring campaign was limited to the confines of racing in the Dominion. Also it % seems certain that the result of the Melbourne Cup will influence the bettors and prove a reliable guide.

Had Mr. J. E. Henrys been allowed to weight Nightmarch as his form during the past twelve months has warranted, it is safe to say the Night Raid horse would have been required to carry a stone more than the maximum penalty which saves him. Unquestionably Nightmarch is the next best horse to Phar Lap in Australia and New Zealand, and who would look past the latest Melbourne Cup winner were he in the race with 9.6? No, form very definitely shows that Nightmarch is the best-treated horse in the race. His ability to run out every inch of the two miles cannot be doubted, and no horse in the race has been more fully tested from distances ranging from a mile to two and a. quarter miles.

Unless the weather continues summery, there is little.chance of the Riccarton track suiting Star Stranger, though one is loath to pass such a gallant and proved stayer. Concentrate raced in Australia and made promising showings, but it will be remembered he did likewise last year and then failed to produce his best form until the mid-summer meetings. He, too, is a great stayer, but I do not think he is ready to show his best and, at ail events, I would prefer Star Stranger to the Kilbroney gelding. Prodice, a gallant middle-distance mare, is asked to do too much, and I question whether Merry Damon would run out; a true-run two miles. In any ordinary year this quartette wouldihave to De considered, but everything points to the task being beyond their compass. Australian sporting writers enthuse over the prospects of In The Shade, and not without solid grounds. In The Shade will meet Nightmarch on 91bs. better terms than the handicapper assessed them in the Metropolitan Handicap. Nightmarch did not start, but In The Shade ran second to an outstanding horse in Cragford. But this race was three furlongs shorter, and In Ihe Shade was distinctly tiring at the finish. True, he ran a good second in'the Cup last year, but I doubt whether he can improve to any great extent on his Australian form. Through his poor showing at Banks Peninsula, Gay Crest has fallen right out of the question. Count Palatine, an unproven stayer, then reads as the best of those who raced in New Zealand. He is handily weighted, bred on sound staying lines, and certainly his form gives every indication that he will do his part nobly and well. But does he represent class? Pahu, m the light of an improving horse, must be considered, but hi§ chances are really slender, and, in no flight of imagination can one see the quintette on the minimum threatening any serious danger. Without hesitation I consider this the best field the New Zealand Cup has attracted this century, and the records achieved by Nightmarqh, Star Stranger, Concentrate, In The Shade and Count Palatine entitle them to deep consideration. But spring form and performances against Australia £ best, require the winner to beat Z" NIGHTMARCH