 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1925
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1925 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP
Ahuriri left the mark well in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, and after trailing Delavan Quest for a mile and a-half, he went to the front where he remained, to win nicely by four lengths.
Paul Dufault broke when the tapes were released and Dolly Dillon lost twelve yards through putting in a skip. When the field had gone a furlong Delavan Quest was out in front with Ahuriri and Dolly Dillon racing four lengths behind him.
When six furlongs were covered, the field bunched with a round to go. Acron dashed up on the outside, and along with Delavan Quest, he led into the back stretch. Then Bryce let Ahuriri go. He quickly hit the front and drawing three lengths clear of the field led into the home stretch with Great Bingen in hot pursuit.
But, despite a game effort on the part of Great Bingen, Ahuriri held safe to win in convincing style. Realm broke at the end of five and ruined his chance. Dolly Dillon tried to mix her gait going out of the straight the last time. Delavari Quest punctured badly three furlongs from home, where Vilo and Paul Dufault also cried enough. Acron finished on much better than expected to gather third money, with Great Hope at the head of the others. Logan Chief was driven his usual quiet race for ten furlongs where Kennerley elected to move him into a handy position. He had to hook him out to avoid a bit of a mix. Going out of the straight the last time he was outside of two sulkies going into the back stretch. From there on he tried to overhaul the leaders, but at the finish he had to be content with fifth place.
The first half-mile was negotiated in 1.8 1/5, mile in 2.16 1/5, mile and a half in 3.23 1/5, and the full journey m 4.28 1/5.
Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 14 Nov 1925
YEAR: 1925
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
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| Lady Rhodes presenting the Cup to Ahuriri's owner Richard Morten |
The Bryce family was soon back in business when Ahuriri, a son of 1916 winner Cathedral Chimes, decisively won a memorable contest.
Ahuriri, who was often his own worst enemy with waywardness, was a classy sort who had been astutely placed since winning the Sapling Stakes and entered the 1925 Cup favourably handicapped on 12 yards and won convincingly from Great Bingen(60yds), Acron(48yds), Great Hope(72yds) and Logan Chief(60yds). Sheik(84yds) and the grand mare Onyx(90yds) had been withdrawn through injury.
Ahuriri was owned by his breeder R M Morton and was from a top class trotter in Muricato who had the ability to switch gaits when at full speed. Great Bingen confirmed his status as the best pacer in the land when he came off 84 yards to win the Christchurch Handicap by three lengths easing down.
When the qualifing standard was tightened the next year, Ahuriri was again well placed on 24 yards, the favourite and an easy winner over Prince Pointer, Talaro and Jack Potts. The unsound Jack Potts marked the first Cup drive for Ces Donald and he went on to become champion sire on 10 occasions.
Great Bingen, again handicapped out of it from 84 yards, was pulled up in a distressed state after a mile when it was thought he had suffered a heart attack.
Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03