THE AUCKLAND CUP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19242, 2 December 1930, Page 12

THE AUCKLAND CUP.

Weights Due To-Morrow.

THE most interesting event in the racinc world this week •wall be the appearance of the weights for the Auckland Cup, which are due to-morrow. With nearly all the best distance horses in the Dominion engaged, there is a great field to work on, and the views of the northern handicapper are being anxiously awaited by many owners.

With the New Zealand Cup disposed of, the Auckland Cup becomes the chief subject for discussion in racing circles. It has attracted a great nomination list, and already the prospects of a number of candidates have been freely discussed. The two races differ in one important respect, there being no maximum weight in the Auckland race, such as appears in the conditions of the New Zealand Cup. The restriction at Riccarton has much to recommend it, as the history of the race is all against the top weights, the record winning weight being 8.13 until this year, when Nightmarch triumphed with 9.6, the highest weight allowed. It is unlikely that the result of the recent race will be accepted as a valid reason for reviewing the conditions regarding the maximum weight It has worked quite well in the past, and it is quite certain that racegoers as a whole are content to see the best horses given a reasonable chance in events like the New Zealand Cup. While, this is the case, however, the free hand given the handicapper in connection with the Auckland Cup will be appreciated by many owners, as the wider range will greatly improve the prospects of horses near the bottom. It is interesting to review some of the performances- of the top weight division in the Auckland Cup. Nelson holds the record, as he had 9.12 in 1887. when he captured the race for the third time, following on his success with 9.8 a year earlier. Wairiki won with 9.8 in 1903, and Rapier had a similar burden when he scored in 1925, while All Red triumphed with 9.1 in 1909. There have been some other good performances under big weights, among them those of Count Cavour, who carried 9*.5 into second place in and again in 1927. The balance, however, taking the long history of the race, is against the top weights. With this in mind, it is probable that Mr F. Macmanemin will incline to leniency, if only by a pound or two, in his assessment of Nightmarch, who will head the Auckland Cup list. He has never raced at Ellerslie, and it is certain the northern weight adjuster will make a serious effort to secure his presence, as he would be an attraction. A year ago, following on his Melbourne Cup win under 9.2, he was awarded IMG, but he was promptly scratched. He comes under review now after a New Zealand Cup success with 9.6, and he cannot escape with less than he received last year, while the general opinion is that he will get more. It may be, however, that last year’s weight will not be greatly exceeded, if at all.

No horse has yet won the Melbourne, New Zealand and Auckland Cups, and great interest will attach to Nightmarch if he attempts to set a new record. Sasanof went very close to doing it. He won the Melbourne Cup in 1916 with 6.12, and the New Zealand Cup in 1918 with 8.9, while in the year of his Riccarton success he carried 9.6 into second place in the Auckland Cup, beaten by Mascot, 6.13. Concentrate, the winner of the Auckland and Wellington Cups last season, and second to Nightmarch in the New Zealand Cup last month, will be well up in the Auckland Cup list. He was in receipt of 101 b from Nightmarch at Riccarton, and will require a concession for his defeat. Concentrate, in turn was giving 81b to In the Shade, who was third, and the last-named must be marked off as one of the likely ones. Star Stranger was giving 51b to Concentrate in the New Zealand Cup, and looks a good prospect now. Hunting Cry. is another to be kept prominently in mind. Paquito cannot be overlooked on his best Australian form. The win of My Own in the Metropolitan Handicap at Riccarton entitles her to respect, while Count Palatine, third in that event, must be regarded very seriously. The Auckland Cup has not been a good race for three-year-olds, but the weighting of Cylinder and Sargon will be awaited with interest, as they are a likely pair, with staying credentials. Cylinder, by reason of his Derby win, followed by his defeat of Nightmarch in the G. G. Stead Cup, has earned more than weight-for-age. and with Star Stranger also available, the three-year-old may not be required to tackle the two-mile race. Sargon, too, hails fsom a stable that has another strong candidate, and it is possible that In the Shade will be left to look after the Jamieson interests in the Cup. In this case, however, there are different owners to be studied, so it is possible both will start. There is no more interesting candidate in the field than Count Cavour. He has a wonderful record in this race, having competed five times, for three seconds, followed by a fourth and a third. The old fellow has slipped back a lot, but he will receive compensation from the handicapper, and it is on the cards that he will again produce good form at Ellerslie. Altogether, the Auckland Cup is full of possibilities, and there will be plenty of material for keen discussion when j the handicapper’s figures make their appearance.