AUCKLAND HOPES AT RICCARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 277, 23 November 1945, Page 7

AUCKLAND HOPES AT RICCARTON

N.Z. CUP AND STEWARDS’ CANDIDATES

(Special) Auckland, Nov. 22. The Auckland representation at the New Zealand Cup meeting is much better than in previous years, with three Cup and two Stewards' Handicap candidates. Twelve months ago there was no direct northern interest in the meeting at Ricoarton, but a year previously Representative, the sole hope from this way, was second in that blanket Cup finish to Classform.

In the Cup on Saturday are Sir Bian, Fortune’s Smile and Chung Chong, all good horses in their class but whether that class is up to the southern standard will not be known until after the two-mile event. Sir Bian recently won the Mitchelson Cup, after having run a third among the hacks at Paeroa and followed this up with a second to Air Port at Te Aroha. Carrying only 7.0, Sir Bian outstayed lhe Mitchelson Cup field, Broiedame chasing him home. This form was borne out at. Ellerslie a fortnight ago, when Broiedame beat, all but Lou Rosa in the King George Handicap, another mile and ahalf race. So on this one performance rests Sir Bian’s New Zealand Cup claims. Fortune’s Smile has this much in his favour, that he finished second at Trentham on Labour Day to Longsword, who is the topweight in Saturday’s race. The Te Rapa gelding now meets his conqueror on only three pounds worse terms for a decisive beating. Actually on these figures Fortune’s Smile ought to be beaten again by the southerner. On the other hand his forward running at Trentham indicates that he should be as good as the other Auckland pair. Chung Chong has yet to win in the open class. He went out of the hack ranks by two successes at the last Great Northern meeting, carrying 9.2 and 9.12, respectively under the 8.0 minimum. In four starts this spring he has been placed once, being second to Our Gold in the Avondale Cup. Six weeks ago he was running on in fourth place in the Mitchelson Cup. His failure in the big race at the recent Avondale meeting was excusable. To sum this trio up it looks as if Sir Bian will be the best of the Auckland string in the Cup. In the Stewards’ Handicap on Saturday the northern flag will be carried by Sweet Biscuit and Verdant. The latter has enough brilliance to be able to lead all the way from the six furlongs and he has only to be caught on his day. However, his performances in public are a long way below those of Sweet Biscuit, and with the pair fit and well it would be odds on the latter at a difference of only three pounds. Sweet Biscuit, by her success under difficulties at Ellerslie a fortnight ago, revealed that she is very well and should actually be improved by her winning outing. An analysis of Sweet Biscuit’s record at Ellerslie is impressive. At the Auckland summer meeting nearly two years ago she won the Railway Handicap under 7.12 (one pound under weight-for-age for a three-year-old), with Koi Ragi and Sleepy Fox in the minor places; Koi Ragi won the second day with 9.0. Sweet Biscuit did not run again at the meeting, but three weeks later she defeated all but John Gav in the big sprint at Trentham. After this she lost form and was not placed i n her three other starts. Last season she did not actually regain her best, but she was run-ner-up to Neenah in her second Railway Handicap contest with 8.9, and on the second day was third in the sprint with 9.0. Six unplaced performances followed before Sweet Biscuit was put aside. In her three outings this spring she improved with each run, winning at the third attempt, and when down in thf weights to 7.12. If she has done well since arriving at Riccarton. Sweet Biscuit. should be the hardest to beat in the Stewards’ Handicap.