THE TURF.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 109, 4 November 1910, Page 2

THE TURF.

i NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By Sir Bedivere.) If picking the winner of the New Zealand Cup were no more difficult a problem than that with which we were faced when Arnst met Barry on the Zambesi, what fortunes we should all make. The task, however, is more akin to a weight-guessing competition at the agricultural show — the keenest of judges are apt to be sadly deceived. Well, tha final gallops have been .accomplished, and until about 3 o'clock to-morrow We are unlikely to know any more than we do, or fondly imagine we do, at present. Merriwa, Diabolo, and Los Angelos ai\ perhaps those that havo given the most pleasing displays in private, but aB I have pieviouslv pointed out, track form is a well-constructed booby trap. Just when those who follow it think they are trading on the safest of safe ground, they are apt to flounder in deeply. Not, of cojrse, that it is invariaoly misleading. Merriwa, who ran a mile and a half in 2min 38iseo the other morning, and so established the present season's record, may quite possibly win the Cup. Personally, my only doubt about him is tha.. he may not be quite sufficiently seasoned, as until after August he was practically idle, and at Hastings he was decidedly backward. Then there is Diabolo. He, top, has done well at Riccarton, and his party are, I know, fairly confident. As a three-year-old he ran second to Signor in the Canterbury Cup, thus proving himself a thorough stayer. Since then, however, he has not done quite such good things as might havo been expected of him, and it is worthy of note that during the past two seasons he has only been successful in a single event — viz., the Avon Welter at Riccarton. He ran a fine race in the Wellington Cup under Bst lib, and was unlucky to lose, but in the Wanganui Cup he scarcely pertormed / so well, as, had not Lady Lucy's saddle slipped back, life /vould unquestionably have been beaten out of a place. His chance of success tomorrow is a difficult one to estimate, but if he should do the trick no one will begrudge him his long due victory. Sandstream may, I think, be relied upon to run a good race, but he will probably "find the last two furlongs of the journey as tiresome as he did last season. Not so, however, Taskmaster. Sir George Clifford's colt is a fine stayer, and, if anything like himself, he is bound' to be handy whon the final struggle commences. But there it is. He has not had a race this season, and will thus be labouring under a disadvantage. Bridge is. another candidate that can keep on going, and he has recent form to recommend him. There has, however, been a slight disposition to discount his prospects during the past week —a remark that is equally applicable to Ingoda. Los Angelos still retains his position in the market, and I still retain > a clear recollection of his hard pulling proclivities and failure to stay at Ashburton. He has undoubtedly been backed for a lot of money, and his performance will be watched with considerable interest. However, I cannot stand him at any price, for unless by some miraculous chance he should have mended hip, ways and run along quietly without fighting for his head, he is certain to beat himself before the home turn is met with. Cullinan has presumably been left in for the purpose of assuring a sound pace being set, and Sir Antrim can have small prospect of success. Kopu has been galloping in a very disappointing fashion, and it would seem as though he had gone stale. His may be but a further instance of a horse refusing to show his best form in private, however, and I cannot quite get out of my mind the extraordinary run he put in over the last half-mile in the Hawkes Bay Cup. Martist has already won a race or two this season, and though he appeared to go off a bit a week or so ago he ia said to have since picked up again. If he is as useful a three-year-old a» his admirers affirm he must be difficult to beat, but apart from Oiyoi, who was presenting him with 231 b, "and who has since been withdrawn from tho Cup, he really had nothing to beat at Oamaru. Still he will not need to bo a first-rate three-year-old to win this year's Cup, the field for which is far from being a strong one. Cronstadt has* been shaping well lately and may run a fair race, whilst old Lawn Rose-'a chance rests entirely with her undoubted staying ability. In conclusion it may bb said that the race bears an exceptionally open appearance and promises therefore, to be one of 1 the most interesting event 3 ever decided afc Rk. carton. The Cup having been decided abten* tion will naturally turn to the Stewards' Handicap, for which a large field of fine quality wiil go to the post. All going well &. great struggle should be witnessed, and when the judges' decision is announced those who have been successful in selecting the winning double may consider themselves remarkably lucky. To many people the most interesting event on the card will b& the Welcome Stakes, the field for which is smaller tlum usual. In point of quality, however, it will compaie favourably with any seen out during recent years ana the meeting between Pierene, Orton, Culprit, Masterpiece, Bootle, and Miscount should result in aa extremely pretty race. The Auckland Racing Club's spring meeting commences to-morrow, when the Great Northern Guineas and Wei■coflie Stakes will prove the principal attractions. A fair field is engaged in uach event, including the Avondale winners King Soult and Miss Winsome. Owners are finally reminded that entries are due this evening for the Feildmg Spring Meeting. Acceptances also are due in connection with the TaratahiCarterton fixture. FINE WEATHER AT ELLERSLIE [BST TELBuitAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] „. AUCKLAND, This Day. *v a tTo o P ron H se s to be fine for the A.R.C. Spring Meeting to-morrow. No work of importance was registered at Ellershe this morning. VICTORIA RACING CLUB. OAKS STAKES WON BY STYRIA. By Telegraph -Press Tssoclatlon.-Copyright PLEMIiSGTON, 3rd November. The Victoria Bacing Club's meeting was continued at Flemington to-day when one of the biggest Oaks Day crowds on record spent an unpleasant caj. The weather was close and thundering. It rained lightly during the hurdle race and a heavy downpour continued solidly for half an hour before the Lmhthgow Stakes, drenching the crowds. Results ;— November Hurdlo 'Race, a sweepstake of 5 soys each, with 300 soys S«i ; £*"i 1 ? iles — Wooljeomooloo. 10>3> \l } hh * ii0 > 10-U. 2; King's Ransom, 11.4, 3. Eleven started. Won

by a length, with eight lengths* between second and third. Time, smin 3?|sec. Mimosa Stakes, a sweepstake of 6 soys each, with 500 soys added, fop two-year-olds ; six furlongs.—Woolerina. 1; Paistre, 2; Colidor.'o. Eiffhfc started. Won easily by a neck. Time, lmin 15£ sec. Linlithgow Stakes, a sweepstake of 10 soys each, with 1000 soys added; weight-for-age, with penalties and allowances. Ons mile. Mr. Colin Smith's b c Beverage, by Malster— Wild Rose, 3yrs, 8.10 1 Mr. Gordonhas Khatan'e blk b Abo- "' rigine, by Merriwee— lndian Queen, syrs, 9.4 % Mr. F. Merton's eh h Flavinius, by *lavus— Goldgrip, syrs, 9.7 ... 3 41so started— Gold Lace, Captain, White, Full Sail, Eyeglass, Hartfell, and Indiscreet Gold Lace and Full Sail made the running, the former leading to the fivefurlong post. Beverage won by a length and a half. Time, Imin 44|sec. Carnival Handicap, a sweepstake of 6 soys each, with 500 soys added ; oaa mile and a quarter. — Dhobi, 713 1 • Nuwara Eliya. 7.11. 2; Maltine, ?9.1,? 9.1, 3 Seven started. Won easily by threo lengths. Time, 2min 9|sec. V^" G> Oaks Stak f s^ a sweepstake of 10 soys each, with 500 soys added, for three-year-old fillies ; weight, 8 10. One mile and a half. Mr.' J. Siely's br f Styria, by Haufc Brion— Trieste ... ... ... l Mr. T. Hannan's eh f Laser, b'v Malster— Egale ... . . .f. 3 Messrs. Moore and Earnshaw's br f Moorilla, by St. Ahvyne—Dioloma ' __ 5 Also started— Blue Gem. Won easily by two lengths and a half, with four lengths between second and third. Time, 2min 43isec. Veteran Stakes, a handicap sweepstake of 5 soys each, with 300 soys addod: one mile and a half.— Matouree, 7.13, 1; Prizefighter, 6.7, 2; Optimism, 6.11, 3. Seven started. Won easily by a length and a quarter, with twelve lengths Between second and third Time, 2min 39|sec. FEILDING STAKES. After final payments the following horses remain in the Fifth Feilding Stakes, of 500 soya (weight-for-age) ; five furlongs (run 30th November).— Mr. W. E. Bidwill's b 0 Tribulation, by Birkenhead— Stepfeldt, 3yrs j Mr. W. B. Bidwill's b c Provoca, tion, by Birkenhead— Stepfeldt, 4yrs ; Mr. W. 13. Bidwill's b c Inspection, by, Birkenhead— lmmersion, 3yrs; Mr. Middleton Melrose's b c Lord Kelvin, by Multiform— Sans Peur. 3yrs; Mr. T. H. Lowry's b c Koh-i-noor, 'by Royal Fusi}iei;— Bijou, 3yrs; Sir George Clifford's b f Countermine, by Quarryman—Safeguard. 3yrs; Sir George Clifford's eh I Tenterhook, by Clanranald— To-morrow, 3yrs; Sir George Glifford's b c Masterpiece, by Clanranald— Madowla. 2yrs; Sir George Clifford's b f Madam Madcap, by Clanranald — Madowla, 3yrs ; Mr. Johu Buckley's br c Peter Pan, by Stepniak — Armilla, 2yrs; Manawatu Stud Company's br c by Sir Laddo— Cecile, 2yrs ; Mr. W. 1. Hook's eh f Excel, by Ad- ' vanee — Endeavour, 3yrs ; Mr. R. A. M'Donald's b m Hermia. by Birkenhead —Nixie, 6yrs ; Hon. J. D. Ormond's b c Formby, by Birkenhead— Gladisla. oyrs; Mr. Donald Fraser's eh f by AdvanceSeagull, 2yrs; Mr. Donald Eraser's eh c by Advance— Good Luck, 2y t -s; Mr. J. Monk's b f Gipsy Belle, by Stepniak— Belle Clair, syrs; Mr. Highden's b c Polymorphous, by Multiform— Rumour, 4yrs.