TO-DAYS RAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9017, 2 April 1888, Page 5

TO-DAYS RAGES.

. v .7- ' , NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS. [BY phaeton.] '. , * The A.R.C. Autumn Meeting opens to-day, 'and should the weather prove propitious there is every prospect of it being a most successful and enjoyable gathering. The programme to be gone through consists of six events, viz. : Tradesman's Plats, one mile and a distance; Champagne Stakes, six furlongs; Easter ; Handicap, one mile and threequarters ; Hurdle Race, two miles and a quarter ; Selling Race, one mile; and Sfc. Leger, one mile and three-quarters and 132 yards. The starter's flag on this occasion will be wielded by Mr. E. Woolfield, and as the start for the first event, takes place immediately in front of the grandstand, a good view will be obtained as to the manner in which he handles his field. The musical part of the programme will, as usual, be performed by the fine band of musicians under the leadership of Mr. <T. Impey, who will during the afternoon render eomo choice selections on the lawn.

< •Trains will leave tho Auckland station for the course at ten and eleven o'clock, and after that time as required up to two o'clock, returning as required up to a quarter of an hour after the last race. The following are my notes and anticipations on the various events :—

Tradesman s Plate Handicap. One mile ' and a distance. st lb ' st lb Cinderella ... 8. 9 Formo ... ... 6 8 Tetford ... 8 4 Bangle...' ... 6 8 Squire ... ... 7 4 Capella... ... 6' 7 Fusee ... ?... 611 Eruption ... 6 5 Balista ... 0 9

The three most dangerous I take to be Cinderella, Balista, and Fusee, and to separate them my vote goes to Fusee.

Champagne Stakes, six furlongs. , st lb Cuirassier, by Musket —Frailty ... 8 10 Tartar, by Musket—Steppe ... ... 810 Leopold, dv Leolinus— ... 8 10 Rataplaa, by Leolimis— Idea ... 810 Hilda, by Murket—Ouida . ... ... 8 7 If all that is said regarding Cuirassier's doings at Kohimarama is correct, then the son of Musket should win this event without much trouble, but I prefer to stand by ocular demonstration in preference to hearsay, and I shall give my vote to Hilda, who I know to be well, and may be depended on to make a bold bid for victory. Easter Handicap, one mile and threequarters. st lb stlb Silence... ... 9 6 Leorina ... 6 6 Tetford ... 8 0 Miss Alice ... 6 0 Clog.: 7 11 Maratau ... 6 0 Friendship ... 7 5 Earnest ... 6 0 Tamora ... 6 8

Should no rain fall, there is every prospect of the going being pretty firm, which will of course be greatly in the top weight's favour, and should the pace be slow during the first part of the journey he may down his opponent® but if Tamora runs up to what she was shown on the track, then, under any conditions, the placing or the judge should be

Tamora ... I Silence , ... 2 While of the others I like nothing better than old Friendship.

Hurdle Race Handicap. Two miles and

a-quarter. ' \ st lb st lb Peter Osbeck... 11 2 Ma Petite Fillo 810 Orangeman' ... 10 8 Holly 8 9 Guy Fawkes ... 10 3 Huntsman ... 8 7 Recruit ... 9 7 Don 8 7 When the weights for this event made their appearance Orangeman was on all hands voted well in with lOst 81b ; but his stable mate Holly is so daintily handled with 88t 91b, that he may be the selected one. From what I have seen the latter do on the track, he appears to have a good da?h of foot, and were I satisfied as to his jumping abilities, I should look no further for the winner. Selling Race. Six furlongs. Catesby ... 25sovs Sirloin ... ... nil Reproach ... 25sovs Contractor ... nil Capella. ... 25sovs On Guard ... nil Wapiti ... 25sovs Capella, Catesby, and Wapiti, all hail from Harrison's stable, ana as I take Capella to be the best, I shall look to her to supply the winner. St. Leger. One mile and three-quarters and 132 yards. St. lb. Sextant, by Robinson Crusoe — shine 8 10 Sir Walter, by Leolinus— Camden mare 8 7 Bangle, by Musket—Locket 8 8 Miss Alice, by Leolinus — ... 8 8 The withdrawal of Escutcheon makes this event look a moral for Sextant, and he should win without much difficulty.