THE AUCKLAND CUP AND STEEPLECHASE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9596, 10 December 1896, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND CUP AND STEEPLECHASE.

THE HANDICAPS REVIEWED.

[Bγ 'Spectator.] The -weights for the Auckland Cap and Steeplechase Handicaps appear in this issue. Mr Evett did not start with a big weight in the Cup, and he was probably right in making The Possible his chopping block, though every one will admit that Fabulist, who was such a strong tip from Auckland, with Bst 121b in the New Zealand Cup, has been given a big pull over Mr Gollan's horse now, as .thoy.are asked to meet a£ a difference of 12lb in Fabulist's favour. This is rather too big a difference, as Fabulist did not display anything like previous public form or track form in any of his races at Riccarton. This was patent to most people, and the supposition is that he went off suddenly. He may not be seen well four weeks hence, but on paper he has been given a good show. Acone received quite his full deserts, and has been scratched. It would be assessing St- Paul highly to weight him at Bst 21b if the opposition was likely to be select, and Fabulist would be a long way inferior to the estimate formed of him this time last year by Mr Evett if 41b between the pair is a fair gauge. Fabulist ran his Derby in Auckland in 2min 39see, and it was said that the Cup would have been at his mercy had he been engaged, for he was sure to have received a lenient weight. It would take a first class three-year-old indeed all his time to make a respectable show with' a horse like Mahaki at such weights, should the latter fee well on the day. Every gallop seemed to be doing the son of Ingomar good at Riccarton, and if he should stand up all right to Boxing Day, I don'fc know anything I would prefer. Waiuku is not my idea of a two miler, judging him on his best form, but he was withdrawn on Tuesday. Day Star is hardly likely to be seen well and sound at the post, and on that account I pass him. Sabretache will probably not start, and Bonny Blue has been scratched. Lotion lias an enticing weight, but is hardly likely to have got over the training and racing he got during the months of October and November. He appeared to go oft* after the Hawke's Bay meeting. Epaulet and Defiance are treated to weights that ordinarily good three-year-olds have carried prominently earlier in the season. They may both run, for all I know to the contrary, and both should have a chance taking. a line through their New Zealand Cup running, and in what appears to mc a decidedly weak field. If Defiance can be given a chance, St. Paul must be reckoned with, as the latter certainly showed form in the Wanganui Derby over Mr Ormonde colt that quite justified a concession of 91bs being made to the latter. However, the journey under notice is a twomile one. Haria did not win a race last season, and the previous one only won once, and on form can have no chance. Bellicent is well treated on her autumn form, but would have to improve fast to have a chance, and Man-0 , -War likewise. Pegasus may be passed. Woodstock has been scratched, and remembering his several indifferent displays during his southern campaign, Mr Evett would' have been fully justified in putting him in at the minimum. Anita, who won last year, is nicely treated but is not thought likely to repeat her achievement. Lord Rosslyn is unsound and New Forest has failed to show form in public that his friends expected him to do. Voltigeur would have a better chance than most of those below him, though in a true run race it would hardly be a winning one. If Mars should ptove the selected of Mr Ormond's lot I would give him a show. A well bred five-year-old with but 6st 91b to carry, and that has not done a great deal of racing, and who-was in winning form atfthe Hawke's Bly Spring Meeting, may be better worth considering than others lower down that have done little or nothing to bring themselves into notice. Nestor was thought likely to prove a good colt, but has so far been a disappointment. Swordfieh is hardly up to Cup form and, though the six seven division contains a daughter of the mighty Carbine in Quickfire, a son of the renowned Nelson in The Master, a half sister to last year's Cup winner in Lady Anna, and a half brother to Impulse, winnerof the N.Z. Cup in Uhlan, it wouldsurprise most people should a winner come from that lot. The race certainly look* open, but I hardly anticipate seeing a big field. As for trying to pick the winner with some of the horses so recently decidedly " offcolour," others lame or sore and improbable starters, one does not like to hazard a straight out selection. But, while Mahaki remains in, I ehall keep him on my side, and next to him I like Fabulist and the three-year-olds Epaulet, St. Paul, and Defiance, but I would not go so far as to recommend any of these to the notice of intending speculators at the present stage. Liberator has run some decent races over the Ellerslie steeplechase country, and may do so again, but he is resting now, and would certainly not have had any show on the form he has been in of late. Levanter, Bombadier, Kingswood and Aughadowey are those which I have a preference for in the big jumping event, but there is no occasion just now to go fully into a discussion of those engaged.