THE V.R.C. MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12698, 29 October 1904, Page 7

THE V.R.C. MEETING.

NOTES uN THE V.R.O. DERBY AND MELBOURNE CUP[by. PHAETON.I

To-day the Victoria Racing Club will inaugurate their spring gathering at Flemington. The meeting held annually on the banks of the Saltwater River has earned a. World-wide name, and many arc the glowing descriptions that it has won at the bands of visiting Englishmen and those from foreign countries. The V.R.O. Derby and Melbourne Cup are events quite by themselves, so far as Australasia is concerned, and whatever may happen in connection with the blue riband it would seem safe to predict that the Melbourne Cup will ever remain the big horseracing event of the year in the antipodes. This year a very keen Now Zealand interest will be manifested in the great Flemington event, by reason of Maoriland claiming a brace of noteworthy candidates in the shapes of Wairiki and Canteen, who have both scored Cup triumphs in the land of their birth, while the fact of Gladsome, who also hails from this side of the water, being engaged in the weight-for-age- events, will be an additional draw to New Zealanders. THE DEEBT. The Derby, which is set down for decision to-day, has the following horses engaged: — Mr. K. G. Casey's br u Sylvanite, by Grafton— Gold Dust. Mr. J. Catto's br e Dcraas, by Pilgrim's ProThebes. Mr. A. Wynne's b c Koopan, by Grafton— crust. Mr. J. Wilson, jun.'s, b or br o Nuncio, by Strathraore—Lonely. Mr. J. Tm-nbull's b or br c Billingsgate, by Bill of Portland—Fishwife. Mr. E. Eraser's br o Lord Fitzroy, by Grafton— Disgrace. Mr. J. Wilson's b c Blinker, by Pilgrim's Progressßeminder. It is a popular opinion that the Ballarat pair, Sylvauite and De-mas, will fight out the issue; but in the decision of the A.J.C. Derby and Caulfield Guineas, the two colts in question succeeded in deceiving their most immediate connections. In the A.J.O. Derby Domaa was preferred to Sylvanite, but while the latter succeeded in his important mission his more fancied stable mate failed to gain a situation. On the strength of this Bvlvanite was the favoured one for the Caulfield Guineas; but that did not prevent Demas from turning the tables on his stable companion. Notwithstanding his defeat at Caulfield Sylvanite is now the ruling favourite; and it will be interesting to note on Saturday whether the verdict of the judge goes to the most favoured one of «k».ttess Scobie's pair, THE MELBOURNE CUP. By winning the Melbourne and- Sydney Cups at three years old Lord Cardigan showed himself up in the light of a true stayer; but the son of Positano's displays in weight-for-age races this season have been very disappointing; and with 9st 61b opposite Ms name (which represents 61b over weight-for-age) there is no reason to favour his chance. Wairiki (Sat 41b) has probably been weighted up to his fullest deserts; but he is one of the proved weight-carrying stayers engaged. The Auckland crack has not entertained the course watchers at Flemington with much fast galloping; indeed, the work apportioned him is stated to have been, of a very mild order. Emir, who will have to carry the same weight as Wairiki, is stated to be in rare buckle, and if one of the top weights "is to score the son of Wallace may be the one to achieve- distinction. Marmont, who has been under a cloud for some weeks back, has again come into favour; and though he has a stone and 101b more to carry than under which he won the Australian Cup, he is such a good stayer and weight-carrier that his chance is held in good esteem. Sojourner is a horse that a good many keen judges consider equal to a big feat, and as he ran a good race in the Caulfield Cup, there is some reason to vote him dangerous for the race under review. As we heard by cable recently, Sir Rupert Clarke, the owner of Emir, bought the New Zealand horse Canteen for 3000 guineas; and that step there is reason to believe was taken by reason of the attractiveness of the 'son of Castor's Cup prospects under Bst. If Canteen can be got to reproduce the same two-mils gallop on Tuesday next as that which enabled him to win thu New Zealand Gup 12 months back it will undoubtedly be a stiff task for the four year-old Emir to beat him at a difference of 181b in his (Canteen's) favour. St. Ambrose, a six-year-old son of the celebrated St. Simon, who figures in the Cup at ?st 101b, is considered to have a good chance. Under 61b less than he has on this occasion, St. Ambrose finished up fourth in the. last Melbourne Cup. which shows that he can get the journey. St. Ambrose hast placed nothing to his credit in the interval; but too much value need not be placed on that, as there is some reason to btelifcve that his party have all their thoughts centred on the Melbourne Cup of 1904. Maybe, when the numbers go up on Tuesday, Emir, Canteen, St. Ambrose, and Sojourner will be found in the leading places, and they may come home in something like that order. BETTING ON THE DERBY AND CUP. By Telegraph.— A<ssociation.-~Copyri«ht. MELBOTOSB, October 28. Marmont and Canteen are now equal favourites for the Cup u.t 10 to 1 each. The former wag backed to win a good stake. Emir was supported to win £71*0, and la now at 16 to 1. Five thousand pounds were secured about Tartan, and he is quoted at 12 to 1. Lord Cardigan was backed to win £5000, and 14 to 1 is the best offer to be had about him. Wairiki and St. Ambrose are at the same price. Murmur, who is a doubtful starter, is quoted at 20 to 1. The Derby betting .is 7 to* aguinut Sylvanite, 3 to 1 Demas, and 4 to 1 Koopan. Later. Murmur is still a doubtful starter for the Cup, Betting to-night was brisk. Sylvanite was backed for the Derby to win £1200, and is nominal favourite at 0 to :2. Demas was supported for £1100 at 4 to 1, at which price Nuncio was quoted. Other quotations are: 11 to 2 against Koopan, 6 to 1 Blinker, 10 to 1 Lord Fitzroy, 20 to I Billingsgate. For the Cup Marmont is favourite at 100 to 10. Other prices are:—loo to 9 against Canteen, 100 to U Wairiki, 100 to 5 Lord Cardigan. The official forecast of the weather for the opening day of ths V.H.C. meeting to-morrow is that it will be fine. Sporting Judge tips Sylvanite for the Derby.