"AUGUR" ON THE MELBOURNE CUP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4371, 16 November 1875, Page 3

"AUGUR" ON THE MELBOURNE CUP.

"AugtjK," the well-known sporting contributor to the Australasian, writes as follows in that paper of the 30th :—" Only 31 horses have paid-up for the Melbourne Cup, the result of which interesting event I fully discussed a few weeks ago, and I see no reason to alter the opinions I then expressed. I always thought that Imperial was too leniently treated, and seeing that he has made considerable improvement since he ran last year, his chance of success is all the more rosy. Mr. De Mestre has had excellent ground to work upon, while the Flemington trainers have had to resort to all sorts of shifts to give their horses the necessary work. Sterling, it is said, has been specially reserved for this Melbourne Cup, and, remembering that he defeated Goldsbrough last year at a difference of 151b., I don't see why he should not do so at 161b.; yet Imperial is, in my opinion, superior to Sterling, and, therefore, I shall not desert him upon this occasion, believing that Kingsborough, Kingfisher, and Dilke will be found to be his most dangerous opponents. Kingsborough with only lib. more than he carried so well at Randwick, must be hard to beat upon a course that will be more suitable to him than that of Randwick, and with t>vo such bits of straight as there are in the _ Cup course, Y eomans will have an opportunity of getting into a good place without being blocked. And this reminds me that the stewards of the Y.R.C. have determined to make an example of any jockey that may indulge in the." blocking" game. It is said that Hales is to ride Kingfisher, in which case lie will have to carry.-about 7 lbs. over weight, a burden -ilmt will effectually sdtlo

his chance. Haricot is in grand,form, "going splendidly, but; though "he may run" •very forward, I doubt his getting home -with S st. 2 lbs. He has, however, improved since jhe last appeared in. public, and there are 'more unlikely things than'arepetition of the 'Archer trick. Goldsbrongh's condition is so superior to that of the -majority of the cotn■petitors that it is quite upon the cards for jthis splendid son of Fireworks to run into a place, but I doubt his ability to win—albeit there are many who entertain a contrary opinion. Melbourne, notwithstanding his: ; backwardness, run a great horse, but I ; don't believe he can concede 2 lbs. and as many years to Imperial!! Richmond, well on the day, should certainly bfjat all the other three-year-olds, and perhaps the elders also, and Woolomai is an animal that I-ex-pect to see run forward. The most noteworthy of the absentees are Don Giovanni and Neotsfield, who at one time held some-" thing like leading positions in the betting. Break o' Day, too, it was thought would pay up, and some surprise was expressed at the scratching of Pam, who last week was introduced to the betting. Next week I shaß give my final opinion on the great handicap, but I don't think I shall look further than Imperial, Dilke, and Kingsborough."