BLAST FROM THE PAST
1935 NEW ZEALAND CUP: Won by Indianapolis
1935 NEW ZEALAND CUP
1500 sovs: 4min 26sec class: Two Miles
The heavy track took a lot of interest out of the New Zealand Cup from a time point of view, for it was early recognised that exceptional speed was out of the question. Yet it proved a great race won by a great horse for the second time in succession.
The start was delayed for a time on account of the restlessness of Tempest, and when the field was given the word Wild Guy refused to leave the mark and War Buoy going off at a tangle lost a few lengths. Tempest began with unusual brilliance, and soon had a good six lengths' lead from Evicus, War Buoy, and Sunny Morn.
At the end of the first quarter mile Sunny Morn was in front from Evicus and Worthy Light who were heading a bunched field, while making up ground were Roi l'Or, who had headed Indianapolis, with Wild Guy practically out of the race. With a round to go the excitment was intense, and at this stage Sir Guy was in command from Red Shadow, who had had a good run on the rails. Evicus, Worthy Light, Sunny Morn, Blue Mountain, and War Buoy, the three last-named almost in line with Roi l'Or going well on the rails, followed by Indianapolis.
Running out of the straight and into the back stretch F Holmes, behind Roi l'Or, gained a big stretch of ground through a run on the rails, but Sir Guy still carried on from Evicus and Red Shadow, with Blue Mountain, Worthy Light, War Buoy, Roi l'Or, Sunny Morn, who had dropped back, and Indianapolis following. Three furlongs from home War Buoy commenced a great sprint on the outside of the field, and was first into the straight in front of Blue Mountain, Evicus, Sunny Morn, and Indianapolis, who were almost in line, the last-named well on the outside.
War Buoy had a good advantage of Indianapolis at the straight entrance, but the latter, on the better going on the outside, fairly buried the younger horse for speed, and he had a comfortable margin in his favour as the post was passed, with Red Shadow two lengths away, followed by Sunny Morn, Blue Mountain, and Roi l'Or, with Evicus, Sir Guy, and Worthy Light followed in that order, and Wild Guy pulled up.
The winner was driven a very fine race by J Fraser, jun., who was not in a hurry from the start and exercised the greatest patience with the object of utilising to the full the well-known brilliance of the Wrack stallion. With three furlongs to go Indianapolis was still a good way from the leaders, but in racing on the outside of the field he had an advantage in the much better going on that part of the course. He put in a brilliant sprint that even the great horse, War Buoy, could not deal with. It was the second Cup won by Mr G J Barton's horse.
War Buoy may have been inconvenienced by his slow beginning, and while he was forced to cover extra ground all the way, he was possibly better served by having the advantage of the pace-making provided. In defeat he proved a truly great pacer, as plucky a racehorse as ever graced a trotting course.
Red Shadow, enjoyed the advantage of a run on the rails, but this was counterbalanced by the heavier going on that part of the course. He was well handled by L F Berkett, and went his best race since the Cup two years ago.
Sunny Morn, ran the solid race expected of him, and Blue Mountain had every chance, but lacked the brilliance that characterised his last year's effort.
Worthy Light impressed by the good showing he made, and he faded out two furlongs from home, as might have been expected after the interruption to his preparation.
Roi l'Or ran a great race, and after beginning smartly he streaked up on the rails to occupy a very handy postion four furlongs from home. The brilliant bursts of the others left him a hopeless case in the straight.
Evicus was at her best up to the last three furlongs, and may be improved by the race. Sir Guy is in the same category, but Tempest was not dangerous after the first half mile, and Wild Guy's chance was extinguished at the start.
Credit: THE PRESS 13 Nov 1935
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