New Zealand Cup Horses Have Engagements Tomorrow At Levin, Stratford And Winton

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 November 1949, Page 2

New Zealand Cup Horses Have Engagements Tomorrow At Levin, Stratford And Winton

(By “KESTREL”) Two weeks from tomorrow the New Zealand Cup will be run at Riccarton for a stake of £5OOO in addition to a £lOO trophy, and it is interesting to note that a dozen horses claiming engagements in the big two-miler may be seen in action tomorrow.

The largest representation of Cup horses appropriately enough figures in the New Zealand Cup Trial at Levin, where seven are engaged, though the three at the top of the handicap are not to run at Riccarton. Two more will appear at Stratford and three at the Winton meeting. It is significant that Auckland district handicappers have not been accorded nomination for the New Zealand Cup, suggesting that the stakemoney up north is on such a generous scale that they’ are not attracted to the South Island. In the New Zealand Cup Trial at Levin tomorrow Blue Seal, at 8.5, has the highest impost of the set’ll engaged in the New Zealand Cup, in which the four-year-old has been allotted 7.12. Leyma has 8.3 in the Levin race and 7.10 at Riccarton, Avenger comes in at lib less In both races, but Merry Robin has 7.9 at Levin and only 7.1 at Riccarton, suggesting that the C J.C. handicapper does not regard him as a stayer. Be le Anita, Sparkling Scholar and Blue Spec are the others who claim engagements in both races. Lord Manna, who has 9.2 in the New Zealand Cup, lib below the topweight, Signal Officer, is in the open sprint at Sjtratford with 9.6. Avenger has 8.2 in the Stratford Jubilee, Handicap, as against 7f) in the Cup, and Air Pym pomes In at Sfl l in the N.Z. Cup, as against 7.4 at Stratford. It is understood that Lord Manna h: unlikely to contest tlie New Zealand Cup.’ At Winton Excellency, Aganev anrt Sir Garnish are the Cup candidates engaged in the principal event. Sir Garnish was the surprise winner ot the N.Z. Cup last year and has 7.8 in this year’s race.