SPORTING NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 166, 7 November 1896, Page 2

SPORTING NEWS.

c.j.c. sprincTmeeting. NEW ZEALAND CUP. [By Gipsy Grand.] By the next time my notes appear in print tlie New Zealand Cup will be fought and won, for next Monday will decide what name is to be recorded in the history of the turf as being the victor of 1896. During the past few weeks the minds of the sporting world have been directed to liiccarton, and as far as talk is concerned the event has been run over a thousand times, but the winner will not aoiae to light till Monday. Of the large number of nominations received for the event there has been a material decrease, but the iinal payments of Thursday last may be considered satisfactory. Although the list now stands with 17 horses it is safe to predict that two or three of the number will not see the post. A considerable amount of interest has been withdrawn from the event by the absence of what was considered the champion three-year-old, Day Star. Whether he was good enough to win. had all gone right, is merely a matter of opinion. The champion of last year, Euroclydon, is still at his post, but I must confess that I do not like him at the weights. It would take a horse as good as Patron or Carbine to bring 9st "'lb to victory, and 1 do not think that Euroclydon can be placed oil the same footing as the Melbourne Cup winners. Fabulist, too, with his impost will have to be a real clipper to prevail over some of those down the list. That gallant little mare Lady Zetland is now in the autumn of her racing career, and must naturally feels the effects of her many great battles. Were The Possible starting in a Melbourne Cup with Bst 51b on his back the odds are that he would be first favorite, for the simple reason that the Australians have an idea of the brilliancy of the son of Nordenfeldt and Idealisation. We in New Zealand have not seen The Possible at his best, but may shortly. Maliaki's inclusion in the final list proclaims a little more than can be detected on the surface. Alluding to this horse in a former issue I stated that if he is the Maliaki of old lie has a chance second to none. It would appear, judging by the training notes, that he has not had the necessary amount of work for a Cup candidate, and is reported to be oil the big side. Ngatuere is a game little horse, but I do not favor his chance. Culveren and Quiltiri I must also dismiss. The Shrew, with 7st 131b on her back, is sure to run well, though I do not expect her to win. lam llot favorable to Casket or Lotion, but if the going is heavy the latter should go near winning. Although the odds are against a mare winning the N. Z. Cup, if it is to be won by that division this time I look to Bellicent to do the trick. The Oaks winner is well treated at 7st 91b, and, as my final prediction will show, should till one of the places. Black and Bed is a comparative stranger to most race goers, but is sure to run well forward. Captive must have a good chance with his weight, and will probably be home in the first three. Defiance may exhibit some of his two-year-old brilliancy, and will probably be the only three-year-old representative in the race. He may effect a surprise. Epaulet will probably be reserved for the Derby, and Voltigeur has not done sufficient to vanquish his opponents. Before taking my final " P°lV' I must admit that the race is very open, and, like last year's Cup, may be won by the biggest outsider. If coming events cast their shadow before, then the only shadows I behold, intermingled with the smoke from my pipe, are The Possible Bellicent CaI'TIVK With Defiance and Maliaki to pay a sensational. For the initial event on the card—the Spring Hurdles —eight will saddle up. A good race should result as follows : Kapua Tally-ho Ilex The Maiden Plate brings out a field of ten. When the numbers go up they should be in the following order: — Daredevil Tutanekai Star Shot After the Cup comes the liiccarton Welter with eighteen acceptors, including some really good 'wis. Solitaire holds pride of place with 1(M 71b, and I expect her to carry that weight to victory. I will place them thus : Solitaire Bijietalllst Warkington Tliere are eight in the Welcome, the prize for which should come to Hawke's Bay. The result will probably be— Sir Launcklot Beauty Sleep Multiform Five are left in the Ladies Purse, my picks being— Nicholas Magazine SPECULATOR The Stewards' Handicap should be one of the best races of the day with twentythree starters. My fancy is— St. (Juiha King's Bowman Tutanekai For the Shorts I will place them aB follows: — Errington Molly Darling Vogengang TOWN AND SUBURBAN RACING CLUB. The above Club's spring meeting takes place at Taradale on Monday, and given fine weather, a good day's sport should be witnessed. The following are my selections for the various races : Prince of ales' Handicap.—Maid Marion. Taradale Handicap.—lUunbow. Hurdles.—Prairie Grass. Flying.—Kingsman. Welter. —Sylvanus or Belford. Meanee Handicap.—Maid Marion or Glenfeldt. MaidenjFlat. —First Blood. A Selling.—Lorenzo. .