MEETINGS TO COME.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1316, 20 May 1897, Page 26

MEETINGS TO COME.

By " SILVERSPUB." OTAKI MAORI RACING CLUB. The number of acceptances and general entries received for the Otaki Maori Racing Meeting augur well for the success of this popular club's gathering. Fifteen have been left in the Otaki Handicap, including some first-class horses. Only five of the original entrants have dropped out, the defections being Whario, Marina, Aquafortis, Winnie and Mizpah. The distance is a mile and a quarter, and, from appearances, the race will take some picking. If lolanthe can travel the distance the field will have its work out out to beat Mr Mcßae's representative. Stockade, Swordfish, Indian Shot and Ruamahunga appear to be the best of the rest. There are half a dozen left in the Hurdles, for which nine have gone out— Black Dust, Kia Ora, Fireworks (who won a double at Feilding), La Volta, Warlock, Waimaria, Ruapehu, lago and Daisy Bell. The coastal horse, King of the Downs, who is said to be a promising animal, may win this event, the writer liking Redborry and Spermaceti next in that order. A nice crowd of 19 have paid up. for the Stewards' Handicap, of one mile, the malcontents only numbering half a dozen —Princess Cole, lolanthe, Whario, Tupu, Coin and Tu Kingi. Anyone making a cursory examination of the list would drop on the Waitara horse, The Major, as being the must likely to win. He should find Bst a very handy weight. -Vedette, Indian Shot and Swordfish will likely cause him most trouble. A number of horses are engagbd in three events, so that it is rather difficult to make selections at this juncture. The Flying Handicap list reveals a field of 2<>, which will, in all probability, goto one of the lighter weighted contestants. Taking five from 20 the writer would select The Archer, Telephone, Marina, Lady Agnes and In the Swim. Fourteen have nominated for the Maiden Flat, 17 for the Maiden Hurdles, 21 for the Raukawa Plate and 25 for the Railway Handicap on the second day, which should afford the sporting public ample food for reflection. My fancies are as follows : MAIDEN PI/A.TE. Sherwood ... ... ... ... 1 Oamanie ... ... ... ... 3 MAIDEN HUBDLES. Storm King ... ... ... ... 1 Rambler II 2 Potroline ... ... ... ... 3 OTAKI HANDICAP. lolanthe ... ... ... ... 1 Indian Shot 2 Stockade ... ... ... ... 3 RAUKAWA MATB. Crescent ... ... < ... ••• ! Listener ... ... ... ••• 2 Wharangi ... ... ... .•• 3

stewards' handicap. The Major 1 Vedette ... .v. ... ... 2 Indian Shot ~. ... 3 HURDLES. King of the Downs ... 1 Redberry _ 2 Spermaceti ... ... ... ... 3 PLYING HANDICAP. Telephone 1 Marina ... ... ... ... 2 The Archer ... 3 DUNEDIN J.C. MEETING* j The Dunedin Jockey Club's Meeting commences on the 22nd inst., and the good fields likely to start there have been the subject of comment since the appearance of the acceptances. There are eight left in the First Hurdles, for which Ilex has the honour of top weight with list 101 b. lam doubtful of his ability to win under the impost, nor does Clarence look any more inviting under three pounds less. If Highlander, who haa lately changed his quarters, starts ho should have an undoubted show with 10s1101b Belmont, who is said to be very well just how>, takes the eye at 9st 131bj and of the Others Rebel may possibly prove to be the best. My pick its Belmont or Highlander. There are eleven in the Maiden Plate, and if Double Event is eligible, as I suppose he is, he ought to do the annexation triok. A few unknown quantities appear on the list, but to the writer the best appear to be Double Event and Keo Lancer. The Birthday Handicap is of oourse the big event at Dunedin, and though the field is a good one so far as numbers go some of the candidates possess very doubtful credentials. Hippomenes and Black and Red are the only two in the race that contested the same event last year, when neither got a place, Quiltiri winning by a Ehort head from Lady Zetland. Strathbraan is the only northern horse engaged and should be quite equal, under Bst 121 b, to making a good show, or winning a race at the meeting. I do not like either Hippomenes or Lord Rossyln, nor Skirmisher either, if it is true that he has notbeen doing any work to speak of lately. It is expected that Vandyke will run a good horse, and as he is in winning vein he may be a fair one to follow. He has incurred a small penalty, which brings his weight up to Sst 61b. Of the two on the 7st 121 b mark, Chaos and Black and Red, the latter is my fancy, although it is averred that ho is not a stayer. However, the race may be ran to suit him, and I expect Maxim's sou to bo handy at the finish. Arquebus certainly won at JBawera tbo other day, but it is averred that Marino copld have beaten him had he been bettor ridden. Manawanui has not much to recommend him, and Missfire has b"en suffering from soreness lately. The big fellow has thrown it off, however, and is alleged to have put in some good work during the past week. The others are —Marlin, Annoyance, Emmoline, Dun Joseph and Pitch and Toss, and the light impost of the last named may secure him a place. My selection is : —■ Black and Red Strathbraan Pitch and Toss There are three other events on the first day, the May Handicap Trot, the Selling Race and Tradesmen's Handicap. There are no less then 16 in the Selling, which may go to Stimulant or Belligerent. It has been mentioned that the crack sprinter,.Goldspur, "may not start in the six furlongs Tradesmen's Handicap, but I do not see whe shouldn't. He has incurred seven pounds penalty, 'tis true, but lOst 51b is not likely to break him up. I cannot sets Strathbraan in it with Bst 121 b, but Belle Clair is a reputed fast one, whose Sst 61b will not prove cumbersome. Maremma won this race last year with Sst 41b, and as he has only a pound more now he may have to be reckoned with. However, with a start, I cannot; see anything in it but Goldspur, With Belle Clair next. WANGANUT JOCKEY CLUB. This club's meeting takes place on tho 24th and 25th inst., when tho Wanganui Steeplechase will be the main event. Following are my selections : FLYING STAKES. Titoki 1 Sedgebrook ... 2 Man-of-war 3 WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE. Bradshaw ... ... ... ••• 1 Levanter ... ... ••• ••• 2 Booties ... ... ••• ■•• 3 FIRST HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE. Fleetwood ... ... 1 SirAthol 2 Convict ... ... ••• •■• 3 FIRST HURDLES. Troubadour ... ... 1 Docility ... ... ■•• •-• 2 Natation 3 FIRST HACK FLAT. Emorald ... ... ••■ ••• 1 Klima ... ... ... ••• ••■ 2 Rodara ... ... ■■• ••■ 3 SUBURBAN STEEPLE. Tokanui ... ... ••• ••■ 1 Claymore ... ... ... ■•• 2 Levanter ... ... ... ••• 3