NEW ZEALAND CUP MEETING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22102, 4 November 1933, Page 18

NEW ZEALAND CUP MEETING

PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY MINERVAL A PROVED STAYER GOLDEN WINGS IN FINE FORM. (From Ode Special Reporter.) CHRISTCHURCH, November S. Once more the swing of the pendulum brings the racing calendar round to another New Zealand Cup meeting, and everything points to a successful Carnival Week. The weather seems set, and the track will supply good, firm going, but without sting in_ the ground. The fact that accommodation is difficult to obtain in the principal hotels suggests a good attendance. The New Zealand Cup will be_ contested by what is, in the general opinion, the weakest field that ever went to the post for this race, but the solution of the problem of finding the winner has not been rendered easy by the lack of quality. There may be some potential champion in the field, but past form suggests a moderate lot unless some of the younger brigade reveal what has been undiscovered quality up to the persent. The top-weight. Inflation, has proved speed, but has to be taken on trust as a stayer. If he does stay he will be the only one left by his sire. Minerval is the only horsp with form over two miles. Last year he ran second to a good mare in Fast Passage, who beat him by. six lengths in 3'min 23 l-ssec, a record for the race. Minerval has now 31b more, but when seen working this a better horse than ever formerly. He was troubled with chronic soreness, but now seems quite free from the trouble, and should run a good race. He will probably have M. Kirwan in the saddle. The Smuggler looks well, but Palantua should beat him on Gore form. She beat him when giving 51b, and now comes in on 111 b better terms. Still, if Gore form was the best The Smuggler can produce he hag no right in the race, and hence it may be taken for granted that he will do better than when last seen in public. : He has a second to Silver Scorn to his credit in a fast-run race, and he also put up an attractive performance when winning the Riverton Cup. There seems to be no great reason to fancy Brambletorn or Eminent, but both have friends for the race. Tout le Monde may stay on well under a light weight, but Rocket is preferred as the more solid of the two. Palantua wag in winning form in August at the Grand National meeting,,, and when seen this morning looked bright and well, and has evidently trained on satisfactorily. Southdown lacks nothing on the score of condition, but is not a boy’s horse. He ha« shown some claim to class, and that is in his favour. Chrysology., has been showing good form this season, but failed when up against class at Wellington. Jaloux has failed too often to be relied upon. He has two fourths to his credit, and would be hard to beat if he ran to hie best form. He has friends, but on logical grounds has to he put into the discard. Kamo’s form is too patchy to fancy him, although he runs on well at the finish p£ a race when he seems to be in a galloping humour. Epigram put up what is considered a particularly good gallop at Trentham, but he has to, be taken on trust. It seems ag if the winner will come from Minerval, Palantua, ' Rocket, or Southdown, and they may be fancied in the order named. After going through the pros and cons of the Stewards’ Handicap the writer is inclined to fine the result down to Golden Wings and Silver Streak. The lightweights should make Golden Wings carry his load, but he is well up to weight, and a horse could not look better than he did this morning. Croupier distinctly makes a noise. Great Star has been stopped in his work. The Quorn is another troubled in the respiratory organs. Lordly Knight will have A tot of friends, and so will True Shaft and Kerbside, but if Guarantee ran up to Ins two-year-old form be would be considered the best of the light-weights. Those mostly in favour for the Spring Hurdles may be Rational 11, Henry ot Navarre, arid Manuiri. In the Spring Plate, Manetho and Sweet Agnes will be most in demand. Davolo would be dangerous if he began well, but he has been slow away in each of his races. . , T . There is a big field engaged in the Dmwood Handicap.- Blazon and Beyate may be selected as the pick of the field, while Trivet and Flying Amy may be the tv.o best outsiders. n . „„ Coronilla, Brown Betty, Marcus Cicero, or Pin Money may be the popular picks in the Welcome Stakes. Some Shambles, Aesculus, and Walton Park seeni sure of support for the Apprentices’ Handi9ap, and Silvox, Ranefagh, and Spoon in the Riccarton Handicap. /