Manawatu Cup Is feature Event Today For Opening Of Awapuni Summer Carnival

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1950, Page 7

Manawatu Cup Is feature Event Today For Opening Of Awapuni Summer Carnival

(By

“Kestrel”)

Generally accepted as providing a reliable line on prospects for the Wellington Cup, the Manawatu Cup will he the feature event at Awapuni today for the opening of the Manawatu Racing Club’s three-day summer carnival.

The Cup will provide the first leg of the totalisator double, the second of which will be the sevenfurlong sprint, the Fitzherbert Handicap.

In the days before the universal Saturday holiday was ushered in the Manawatu Cup was invariably run on the Boxing Day holiday, thus clashing with the Auckland Cup, but nowadays it has become the custom for thtf club to stage the event, if possible, ahead of its important Ellerslie rival. Thus it is possible for Earldale to run in the Manawatu Cup today and travel on to Ellerslie for Tuesday’s big twomiler. Whether he will prove capable of carrying off the honours for his owner-trainer remains to be proved, but he has in his favour the fact that he will be ridden by W. J. Broughton. The leading horseman has won four Manawatu Cups in the last ten years on Belle Cane (1940), Longsword (1944), Saludos. (1946) and Robin’s Reward (1948). He is capable of extending his record. Topweight is Pierre, whose track work at Trentham has been impressive. The Royal Chief gelding, a full brother to Welcome Guest, is bred to stay, and his win in the Fendalton Handicap at Riccarton last month suggests that with all his weight he is going to take some beating. Robin’s Reward has won the last two Cups, with 9.4 in 1948 and with 9.10 last year, so his 9.0 today may appear luxurious. However, the Robin Goodfellow horse has so far not regained his old-time dash, and the fact that he has done light stud duty will not assist his chances. Royal Tan is a high-class performer Bt his best but he has not impressed in recent essays, and his bracketed stablemate Robin Dayes, though finishing a strong fourth at his last start, may find the company too good for him. Imperial generally runs good races at Awapuni, but he has yet to reveal ability to hold his own at distances beyond a mile and a-quarter, and today’s journey is three furlongs further. With the scratching of Almora, GayGordon comes next on the list. The Coronach gelding made a good impression when he scored in the principal handicap on the opening day of the Woodville meeting, and in anything like that form he would take a lot of beating today. He has been working well at Awapuni, where he is in L. Knapp's stable.

, The Laird has not made the progress anticipated when he won twice earlier in the season, but if he is to have a chance at the Wairarapa meeting he will have to show improvement today. Beau-Or was a winner at Bulls and Otaki, and excuses could be offered for his subsequent defeats. He is a solid customer on a handy mark.

- Sly Robin drew pointed attention to his prospects when he won the principal events both days at Feilding last month, and if he reproduces that form he should be well in the picture today. His powerful finishing run could well be a deciding factor at the end of a mile and five furlongs. Golden Spa was runner-up to Robin’s Reward twelve months ago, and the fact that he was finishing on at WoodviUe suggests that he is getting back to form. Earldale ran one of his best races to beat all but Calibrate in the New Zealand Cup, and he created a good impression when he finished solidly from the rear on the opening*day at Woodville. He will appreciate the longer journey, and Broughton’s horsemanship will add to the appeal. Mission has won twice in his last three starts, at Waverley and Stratford, and both Wembley and Ngarobi have shaped like early improvers. Almora’s defection enables Emerge to re-enter the field, leaving Terrific, Field Marshal and Treneere, also balloted out, awaiting an opportunity at the good prize of £2025 in stakemoney. The form of Earldale, Gay Gordon and Pierre suggests that this trio should be in the picture this afternoon. The field for the Fitzherbert Handicap is six above the safety number, and unless there are scratchings Gold Robin. Waiomoko, BSr Garrette. Lady Ella, Trusting and Guerdon will not figure among the starters. Diana Reynard, who won on the opening day at Feilding. is one of the most improved sprinters in commission. and 9.8 may not stop her. Voltaic has been showing his old-time dash on the tracks, and Nakura is capable of extending the best of them. Livre d’Or won brilliantly at his last start at Feilding. and Fleetwood impressed with his strong finishing run into third place at Woodville. Trafalgar Day recently returned to form, and Aden has been impressing in his latest essays on the Hastings tracks. Most likely of the lightweights are Anvil Song. Te Kooti (a Riccarton visitor) and Royal Man. However, Livre d’Or, Fleetwood and Anvil Song make a strong appeal. Two scratchings would enable divisions to be avoided in the Tararua Handicap but divisions will be required in the Maiden Platp. the juvenile Handicap and the Gillies Hack Handicap. The indications are that the track will be firm and fast, and likely favourites include:— Tokomaru Hack Hurdles.—Lord Cranleigh, Irresistible, Brown Jester. Maiden Plate. —First Division: Dakarette. Inquisition. Second Division: Coralline. News King. Juvenile Handicap—First Division: Manitou, Reporter. Second Division: Persian Gulf. Gold Prince. Manawatu Cup.—Earldale, Gay Gordon, Pierre. Tararua Hack Handicap.—Sir Rhodes Flying Cash. Lady Guillotine. Fitzherbert Handicap.—Livre d’Or. Fleetwood, Anvil Song. Gillies Hack Handicap.—First Division Spoil Sport, Halesia. Second D.vKlon: Coaltown, Dr. Fred. Grandstand Handicap.-Snow Saint. Veine d’Or, Brltcvite.