THE AUCKLAND CUP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1128, 23 November 1911, Page 5

THE AUCKLAND CUP.

The Auckland Cup handicaps, which were announced last week, have come in for a good deal of criticism, and although Mr. George Morse has delivered hris adjustments IV <ortynine candidates, it is hardly likely more than a quarter of that number will face the starter on Boxing Day. Although Bobrikoff has received 9st. 61bs. impost, or 3lbs over weight for age, it has left half the held with 7st or under to carry, which means that many of the lightweight carriers will either have to withdraw or go out with extra poundage up on account of the paucity of minimum-weight jockeys. THE TOP WEIGHT. Bobrikoff is ah unsound horse, but it is possible the black son of Finland may stand a preparation, in which event he will doubtless rank as a favourite. Los Angelos does not appear to be over burdened with Bst 31b considering his performance in the New Zealand Cup, and the fact that he meets Miscount, who ran second, on 61bs better terms. It has, of course, to be taken into consideration that the San Francisco gelding ran very disappointingly in his final essays at the C.J.C. meeting, brit even so he must 'be credited with being a stayer, and in this respect he has not many rivals in the big event at Ellerslie. Waimangu (8.6), the winner last year, has had a lengthy spell, and if he can reproduce last year’s form —and there is no reason why he should hot —may be counted on to be among the best finishers bn Boxing Day, for the black son of Soult can last the distance. He carries only lllbs more than his impost last year. Miss 1 Mischief and Sedition, with 8.5 and 8-4 respectively, are certainly hot overburdened. The latter has 'been a very consistent performer, and his recent victories have all been won at the right end. A BRILLIANT TRIO. The three-year-olds Counterfeit, Mibcbunt land Masterpiece have each been allotted 7.12, but Miscount will probably be the only one to start.

Counterfeit is undoubtedly a brilliant filly, but she has done nothing to indicate that she can break record over a mile and a-quarter. The performance of Masterpiece in the Canterbury Derby was a creditable performance, but his subsequent hollow defeat in the Canterbury Cup discounts his staying capacity. Miscount is sure, to be one of the best supported candidates for the Auckland Cup, and the performance of the Birkenhead colt in the New Zealand Cup entitles ■iim to be regarded as one of the hardiest stayers 'at present on the Turf in the Dominion. It is little wonder that with 7.12 to carry Miscount early jumped into the position of favourite for the big event at Ellerslie. Mendip and Electrakoff are both endowed with some brilliancy, but can hardly be classed as horses to last two miles. A HUfEKUL CANDIDATE. Goldfinder with 7.12 is not seriously penalised. He had the misfortune

to be kicked prior to his New Zealand Cup engagement, and consequently no reliance can be put on the poor form he showed at Riccarton. fast year he was only beaten in the Auckland Cup by a narrow . margin, nnd subsequently ran a brilliant second to Danube in the Auckland Blate, run in 2.37 1-5. If the. son of San Fran goes to the . post on Boxing Day •as fit as he was last summer meeting, , will be one of the hardest horses to beat. King Soult, Cheddar and are not likely to start.. Soultoria and Domino will doubtless both contest the event, and the latter on the strength of his running in the New, Zealand Cup. is sure to have . 'a following. The distance is beyond Soultoria. Antoinette is somewhat of an unknown quantity this season, but oh last season’s form she must be given a chance. IN WINNING FORM. Labour Day (7.7) has had a good run of luck already this season, and is undoubtedly a solid performer. His connections are confident of his ability to stay out two miles. This being so the Soult filly must not be overlooked. General Latour (7.5), "fter his meritorious win at the A.R.C. Spring Meeting must be ticked off as having a chance. There can be no question about the gameness of Wil-

liam Walters’ colt, and the time he registered in the Great Northern Guineas indicates a great turn of speed. Santa Rosa is likely to .find the distance beyond his 'ability, while the same can be said about Salute. Advocate has nothing to recommend him 'as a likely winner. THE LIGHTWEIGHTS. The. pick of the lightweights seem to be Maxwell, Coromandel, Ngapuka, Sea Elf, and Bellah. The first-named is particularly fortunate to escape with 6.10, and if a cap'able horseman can be secured Maxwell can be ticked off as one of the best favourites on Boxing Day. The success of Coromandel at the A.R C. Spring Meeting indicates that he is a much improved horse, but the distance is likely to prove his biggest handicap. Sea I'.lf has run with more than her share f ill-luck, although she is quite a creditable performer, and 'a fail stayc". The scratchings already are, Lad." Lucy, Master wairiKi and .Mnojiiioe.