THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 211, 11 September 1897, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

The first New Zealand Cup candidate to score a win this season is the Motukoreabred three-year-old colt Chasseur (by Cuirassier —Jessie), who annexed the Flying Handicap at the Marton Hack * Meeting this week. To-day's running at the Forbury, on the occasion of the Otago Hunt Club fixture, and that of the South Canterbury and Avondale meetings during the next week, may also bring to light another winner who claims an engagement in the big two-mile race to be fought out at Kiccarton in the spring. Chasseur ran only once last season, when lie gained second place in the * Nursery Handicap at the Wanganui Autumn Meeting. An unacceptable item in connection with the race is the announcement from Dunedin that Telemeter has been scratched. The cause of the withdrawal is not to hand at the time of writing, but it means that some early speculators have burnt their finders. Euroclydon continues to hold his position as favourite, and all accounts from Dunedin agree that he is doing well in his work. During the last few days Waiuku has been easier in the market, but I have heard no reason for it. Probably it! is due to stable support accorded many j other candidates engaged in the race. Itj would now seem that Defiance is the Hon. J. D. Ormond's selected candidate. This son of Dreadnought ran third last year with 7st lib, and now he has ten pounds more to carry. He must' be voted as dangerous. At Ricearton Skirmisher continues to please the habitues of the course, and he is reported to be getting through a sound preparation. I have an idea that Vanguard's son is none too reliable with the silk up, but his second to Lord Rosslyn in last year's Dunedin Cup, with Bst 51b in the saddle, has a tinge of merit in it, and shows that he can fwj. for the distance of the Forbury race IS one mile and threequarters. Another Clinstchurch fancy is Marquis of Zetland, trained by Mr M. Hobbs. This horse ran Veil during the back end of last season, ""'inning among other races the C.J.C. Midsummer Handicap, running the mile and jHialf i n t h e e H n king time of 2min -2J 3-ssec. The Tasmanian - owned Venus (by Mozart—Stars and Stripes) iias no public performances to recommend her, but what she is capable of may be revealed in the principal flat race at the Forbury this afternoon, in which s»e is expected to be a runner. Lord ■Kosslyn will, also probably sport silk in tne same race. So far, no move has been made m favour of Epaulet, but he is not badly used with 7st lllb. He is a colt mat should be served with age and he has *i? ri»' ate re Putation of being a stayer. Of me Auckland division it will be no' surprise

to me if Lady Anna and Miss Anna decline their engagement at next payment. Daystar is in great trim, and although he has a big task before him I understand that his OAA'ner fancies his chance greatly. He has been supported for a good stake from the proper quarter. An tares is another candidate that has done Avell so far, but after his running at Avondale Aye AA'ill be better able to sum up his chance, and also that of St. Paul and Fabulist. There are a great number in the race who can have little chance, and Avhen the next payment becomes due on the loth October, a large number of defections may be expected. My selections when the Aveights lirst appeared remain in, viz :—Defiant Euroclydon, St. Paul, Waiuku, Lord. Eosslyn, Haria, Daystar. I