FOR THE AUCKLAND CUP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 291, 7 December 1929, Page 4

FOR THE AUCKLAND CUP

SOME PROBABLE RIDERS (By “Kestrel”) With Chide and Nightmarch absentees from the Auckland Cup, Star Stronger is now left at the head of the handicap, sharing the position of honour with Historic, it would be safe to assume that the 8.12 allotted to the pair is a long way below what they would have got had it not been for the presence in the field of the Melbourne and New Zealand Cup winners. As there will not be an acceptance until December 20. it remains to be seen how many will drop out. before that date. The dearth of riders at Christmas time is one factor that may influence owners and trainers, in mapping out their campaign for the holiday carnival In this connection it is interesting to note that the following are some of the probable riding engagements for the Auckland Cup, to be run at Ellerslie on Boxing Day:— Star Stranger 8.12 —Roy Reed. Historic 8.12 —B. H. Morris. In the Shade 7.13 —Goldfinch. Shrewd 7.0 —H. Wiggins. Paquito B.l—T. Green (probably). Prodice 7.3 —L. J. Ellis, LATEST SCRATCHINGS [ Per Press Association ] AUCKLAND, Dec. 6. Scratchings to-day for the Auckland facing Club’s summer meeting included the following:— Auckland Cup: Cashier (9 a.m.); Pegaway (2.45 p.m.). Railway Handicap: Ceremony (9 a.m.); Eaglet (4.26 p.m.) and First Money (5 p.m.). THE ASHBURTON FIXTURE PROSPECTS FOB TO-DAY (By “Kestrel.”) With the operation of the SummerTime Act and the provision thereby of ample daylight in which to run off a programme of races, it is rather surprising that no North Island clubs have taken the step that has enabled the Ashburton County Club to fix the starting time for its first race to-day at 1 p.m. True it is that the Ashburton Cup is the only one that remains loyal to the restricted programme of. seven races all the year round, and perhaps it is no worse off by maintaining this, even if two of the events are for trotting horses. Certainly the fields for the summer meeting to-day are quite good, with the exception of the principal handicap. There are only seven in the big event and the smart three-year-old Night Lad would take some beating provided he is in the hands of a capable rider.

The two-year-old Sleipner, who put up a great gallop at Riccarton on Thursday, created a favourable impression when he macle his first appearance last month at Riccarton, finishing third to Tea Party and Tray Bond on the second dav of the Cup meeting. This youngster*is a full brother to Look Out and a half-brother to that hardy customer, now defunct, Day Guard. Some horses which may be prominent in the i. arket to-day are the following: — Winchmore Hack Handicap (1 p.m.) —Master Clarence and Punchestown. Tinwald Handicap (2.15 p.m.). Lac and Sea Raid. Lagmhor Plate (2.50 p.m.)—Sleipner and Straightcoursc. Moreton Hack (3.25 p.m.). The Viscount and Dutch Money. Hakanui Handicap (4.45 p.m.) Buoyant and Courtliko.