CUP PROSPECTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 110, 5 November 1926, Page 5

CUP PROSPECTS

THE' CANTERBURY J.C.'S MEETING.

Although 'measured in more monetary jralue Cup Day at Riccarton is superseded en occasions in the Dominion, the whole ■of tho Riccarton Spring Meeting is so rich in tradition that it is assured of big patronage. Time was when the Canterbury Jockey Club seemed to be losing steadily, its-popularity, but at the last few meetings there has.been direct evidence of a turn in the tide. Races like the New Zealand Cup, Stewards' Handicap, Welcome Stakes, Derby, Canterbury, Cup, and Stead Gold Cup are milestones each year, are some of the few races always recalled by name, and are used to set a standard. The big Riccarton course is a fair testing ground,, and although it may have the drawback .that it is not an easy ulaceto view racing, it provides' a very iine test of a horse.' A few tracks of. this kind are very necessary where there aie so many small ones favouring the horse not over-endowed in stamina. Some rain has fallen at Riccarton, but after a mild and dry spring this should have had only one result, that is to mate the going really first-class. Those fortunate enough to be at Riccarton to-morrow should bs provided with some first-class racing. THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. Although numerically the field for the New Zealand Cup is disappointing, and one or two of the runners on what they have done to date hardly deserve inclusion .in such._a.irac.e,....this, appears to .be the ante-post comment each year. Yet ■when the race is run everybody seems satisfied that it was worth while, and the successful horse is no disgrace to the noble band pf Cup winners. This year that good gelding Rapine is in the post of honour with 9.6. He has all the advantages of a spring in Australia and a first-class horseman in R. Reed. Although no liors-j has ever won a Cup with more thp.n 8.9, conditions are rather different to-day ■with a 7.0 minimum and a 9.6 maximum. What one. must ask is what would Rapine have been handicapped at if there had been no limit to the weights. Rapine is a great stayer, and his foi'in, taking a line through Pantheon, entitles him to every respect. For all his 9.6 he .'will be hard to beat. . ...'"'. Count Cavour's owner, Mr. J. S. Barrett,, is confident that the chestnut wid perform with greater distinction on his own heath thru ho did at Rand wick. He has been working well since his return from Australia, but at the weights Rapine is selected to beat him. Now comes the much-discussed Beacon Light, who on Champion Plate form is extremely well in at 8.2, including a rer handicap of 111b. He has done the racing, and last spring, it must not be forgotten, he was Star - Stranger's superior .At 121b under weight-for-age, he must have a chance second to none. The latest news is disquieting, but tho troublo may not prove serious. Ravenna's three outings this year have not seen her out of a place. She is a solid daughter of . Solferino, and should run out the two miles well with 7.5. Tarleton is a case of a horse showing remarkably improved form with a change of quarters. He should not be by any means a hopeless proposition with 7.2 if he races up to the proimse he showed as a three-year-old. Clarinda's victory would be a popular one, for her owner has many friends. On a dry track she is a really good galloper, but might not be quite good enough for this face. Desert Glow is a wiry-looking customer, and the only representative from the Auckland province. He showed some form at the Avondale Meeting, and favoured by his light weight should be sticking on yell at the end. He appears to be one <>f the distinct dangers to those at the head of the handicap, for his form up to a mile and a half has been good. Overdrawn, who is by Paper Money, races in the same interests as Ravenna, tod appears to be a possible pacemaker to that the top-weights will have to carry their loads, rather than a serious Cup candidate. For all that he has a second to Count Cavour in the Dunedin Cup (one mile and a half) to his credit. He ;s engaged in the Riccarton Handicap later jn the day. Novar is a very useful galloper, fresh from his success at Waverley. Last year he looked a likely sort for a decent handicap, and although he may not prove quite up to New Zealand Cup class ho should run a good race. Full Swing has had much racing in the far Sonth, in which part of the Dominion she has plenty of admirers. She seems certain to show up well for the greatest part of the way. Goosestep, who represents the West Coast, a six-year-old gelding by Nassau from a Cup winner in Warstep, suggests himself as a likely thorn in the eide of the top-weights. He has "been heaten in each of his five starts this season, but placed in four. Kalakaua, unless he improves a really vast amount on any of his recent form, has a most remote chance. Heather Lad is another Southern lightweight with undoubted credentials. He has had plenty of racing right from the very early spring, and so should not lack condition. Ten of the thirteen rmners, the lightweights, will probably suffer through lack of riding experience, and this, combined with the proved good class of Beacon Light and Rapine, gives the last two preference. Of the others, Desert Glow makes easily the most appeal, for he has the form, sticks on, and undoubtedly is very well. THE BIG SPRINT. In the Stewards' Handicap rmich will Bepend on the draw for post positions, Jf

Reremoana has anything from 1 to 10 he will be a tough nut to crack, for there is no doubt that he is ;l super galloper. Grand Knight has not shown a sufficiently decisive Hash of form, and Glentruin's years are the reason for passing her by. Orchid, at 8.4, comes in so much better through Grand Knight that his chance cannot be ignored. Mireusonta, 8.3, and Inferno, 7.13, are a speedy pair, but the long straight may settle the one, and the other is a little too unreliable at the barrier. Set Sail and Shirley are a solid pair, but down the long straight, if decently ridden and with any luck, Set Sail should be showing up at the end. Shirley may find the last furlong just too much. Last year's sensational winner, Comic Song, has done fairly well this spring, quite as good in fact as last year. Young Lochinvar at his best would have a good chance with 7.5, but lie does not appear to be quite right. Fool's Paradise will carry a few pounds overweight with R. J. < Mackie in the saddle, but a repetition of his Trentham form should see him prominent even then. Of the second half of the handicap the three who appeal most are Arpent, Booster, and Lady Desmond. Arpent, who will be ridden by T. Metcalf, a man with a boy*s. weight, will not be at any disadvantage. Lady Desmond, Reremoana's stable mate, hardly appeals as a boy's mount, but if she gets away at all well she should set the field a merry dance for a great part, if not all the way. The race is one in which luck plays no inconsiderate part, and without a knowledge of the post positions it is difficult to mtiUf any decided choice. Reremoana has to be kept on the safe side, and Set Sail is entitled to respect. Arpent and. Booster are two very likely light weights. THE JUVENILES. If both Agrion and Eulalie start the bracket is sure to be favourite for the Welcome Stakes, and if the cold has not affected her materially Eulalie should be hard to beat. Because she has not headed off Agrion in track work, the Riccarton critics are inclined to doubt her ability to gallop. Before the AJ.C. Meeting at Randwick, she deceived many in the same way. On race day it was a different story. Cimabue is a smart galloper, but very small, and Eulalie has to receive 51b from him. Royal Ceres Has yet to be tested against opposition of this calibre, but he is a' neat colt with an attractive style of galloping. Some Rose, Starflight, and Ark Royal are the best in the South on public form outside of the bracket, but it is difficult to judge how good they are. Ark Royal may be the best down the straight five furlongs, for he is bred to stay on. It seems little use looking outside of those mentioned, of whom Eulalie, Cimabue, : Royal Ceres, and Ark Royal may do best. A SEMI-CLASSIC. The Spring Plate is by ho means one of the least important races at Riccarton, and many an extra good galloper has attracted first attention in this race. The field looks like being of fair size to-mor-row, and although the old horses have the best of the weights, three-year-olds, with the exception of Margaret Birney, promise to play the most prominent part. This four-year-old has raced so consistently in the South that with 7.11 she should start favourite, and, what is more, be very hard to beat. High Pitch, Hynanna/ High Gear, David Garriek, Glen Innis, Bronstell, Rascal, Helen, Paper Boy, and Pink Terrace represent the three-year-olds very well. Of this band High Pitch, High Gear, and Hynanna appear the likely ones to make a race of it with. Margaret Birney. THE MINOR HANDICAPS. Nukumai has a big weight in the Spring Hurdles, but it is reported, that he was never better, and he has some great performances to his credit under seemingly impossible burdens. Black Cruiser and Santiago are a pair who should show up well, while Sayonara has only to repeat something of his form at the Grand National time to be hard to beat. Sayonara, Black Cruiser, and Nukumai may do best. A mixed lot of hacks from both Islands are engaged in the Linwood Handicap and present rather a puzzle. Royal Game, Sovena, and Miss Flighty may do best. Much depends on the riders in the Apprentices' Handicap, and no doubt the mounts of the experienced boys will carry the most money. Pangolin's Trentham form, when lie was ridden by an apprentice, suggests him as a worthy representative of the North Island. Green Cloth, may do as well as any of the southerners, who probably will be ridden by W. Brown Commendation, no doubt, will be favourite for the Riccarton Handicap. Rouex, on Champion Plate running, is a possibility at 8.10. Footfall, 9.2, is a solid horse under weight.