Sporting.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 2, 6 July 1894, Page 3

Sporting.

NEW ZEALAND CUP.

The followiug handicaps have been declared for the New Zealand Cup :

[Notes' by " Caledon."]

The handicaps for the New Zealand Cup, undoubtedly the principal event of the turf in this colony, were declared by Mr Henry on due date, Ist July. /T 1 Althohgh we are far from the "madding crowd," and therefore not in a position to be as much in the " know " as those near large centres, still there are a goodly number of sports in our midst who generally have their "bit" on, and to wnom, I hope ', my meagre notes will be of some interest. That great mare Merganser (9st 81b) very properly heads the list, and although she nas never been asked to go the distance, two miles, still, with her last performances, she must be considered to have been given a show. For sometfeason she has not carried silk this season, and the spell may or may not have impaired her for a race of this description ; but for all this, I shall keep her among the dozen which I shall select as being the best in. Surely Prime Warden (Bst 81b) has been given a chance, but he is such an in-out-customer, and has disappointed .: his connections and backers (among this latter myself) so often, that I have come to the conclusion that the distance is a little beyond his tether. Like some other mokes, he appears to . have his favourite courses, of which the Iticcarton track is not one. Au Eevoir (Bst Gib) is much more to my fancy, and I expected the handicapper to put a pound or so more on this handsome son of St. George, notwithstanding that the last Wanganui Cup, in which he ran second to his stable ma'te, Liberator, is the longest journey he has ever compassed. Those who take long shots, and have backed him, have a good wager. IdbWAfor (Bst 41b) has been the " * surprise of the season, and it is quite possible for him to go one. better and make his third last year into a §rst in the event under notice. He has done a lot of -travelling and racing this season, and as he will be eight years old next month, his powers may be on the wane, but I shall label him " dangerous." Hippomenes (Bst 41b) has proved himself a very brilliant animal up to a mile and a half, and a 3 he has always been well saved, and will be in his prime—six years old—he will have to be reckoned with if he trains on satisfactorily. His performances at the 3ate Dunedin Birthday meeting show that he has plenty of speed, and that his heart is in the right place. Eosefeldt (Bst 31b) last year's winder, has not been overburdened, but !3he must be held safe by some of those above her, and, consistent stayer that she is, I shall pass her on this (occasion. She has been entered for the next Melbourne Cup, together with Marino, a three-year-old belonging to toe same owner, that sterling sportsman, Mr W. A. Douglas, of Hawke's Bay. Clanranald and Skirmisher have been placed on the same mark (Bst 81b). The former, when well, has shown a rare turn of speed, but he has never stood a preparation for an event such us this, and I should advise backers to wait .and see how he acquits himself in his work before making any investments. Skirmisher is a great colt, but from all accounts not quite sound. Still, if fit and well when "the conviuciiDg day arrives, will beat more than beat him. Saracen (Bst 21b) has shown that he i 8 as fast as any of them, but I think he has a •'penchant" for a shorter journey, and although in astute hands, uhall not count upon him. Bangipuhi (Bst) is without doubt a i/%ry speedy and game animal, and • among other wins has placed a Napier Cup and D.J.C. Handicap to his credit, and cannot therefore »be ignored. Pegasus (7st 131 b) after his Hawke's Bay Guinea's victory, was a great ilrackland fancy for last year's event, but signally failed. To the surprise . of many, he galloped home an easy winner in the last Auckland Cup, and this performance being a " Hall" . mark of excellence, I shall label him "' dangerous." .-, ■ Vogengang (7st 131 b) won the last Wellington Cup, also a race on the siscond day of the meeting, Although . n,<ot over-weighted, I have no fancy rU for him. Lany Zetland (7st 121 b) has gradually worked her way up from minor meetings to big handicaps, and her dial win—Easter and Autumn Handicaps—at the last Autumn meeting of the C.J.C. are good credentials for a race like a New Zealand Cup. Good mare that she is, I feel sure she is

held safe by some above her, and shall not include her in my selection. Beadonwell (7st 111 b) has been rather unfortunate. He was hurt during this race last year, but had evidently recovered by the Dunedin Birthday meeting, when he had oue win and ran a deah heat with Au Revoir. I fancy sprintiug is more to his fancy. Lottie (7st 81b) has during the past two seasous proved that she is game and reliable, and in what I consider a weak field, must be entitled to respect. Ich Dien (7st 81b) is under" a cloud, and will most likely be struck out; but Royal Rose, on the same mark, I have a liking for, as his performances this season have been very creditable, and he is growing into a fine horse.

Monte Carlo (7st 71b; is well enough bred, but has not hitherto shown any performances to entitle him to great respect, and I shall pass over the next half a dozen, and come to Three Star (7st 41b). This colt did all that was required of him as a two-year-old, and his owner, Mr L. D. •Nathan, the wealthy Auckland sportsman, has sent him over to Sydney, so that he can be kept in work during the winter months. Being under the supervision of George Wright, and with exceptional advantages for training, he is sure to strip in great buckle should he be the " pea " of the stable ; but I notice that he is also in the Melbourne Cup at 6st 111 b, so we are are entirely in the dark as to his future movements.

Searchlight (7st) may be worth watching, but Westmere, on the same mark, I do not think good enough, although his popular owner, who is a true lover of the turf, deserves success.

Banner (7st) reads well, and should he train on, will be entitled to respect. Those below this weight are a very mixed lot, with the usual number of " unknown quantities," and their probable chances cannot now be discussed. I will mention Purepo, Reflector, Gossander (full sister to Merganser)—who so far has ran disappointingly—Marino. Loveshot, and Palvo as well bred one's, and who perhaps are worth bearing in mind. It is a long way to the 6th of November, but I will hazard a "pop" in a dozen, and in taking Merganser, Au Revoir, Liberator, Hippomenes, Skirmisher, Rangipuhi, Pegasus, Lottie, Royal Rose, Monte Carlo, Three. Star, andßanuer, I have mentioned those whose chances I prefer, from which it will be seen that I consider the top weights have the best of the handicap, but quality is not as well represented as in last year's contest.

st lb st lb Merganser .. 9 8 Pompom 6 13 Prime Warden 8 8 Furepo 6 13 An Revoir .. 8 C Aldershot .. 6 13 Liberator .. 8 4 Reflector G 13 Hippomenes 8 4 Golden Fleece 6 12 Eosefeldt .. 8 3 Spindrift 6 12 Clanranald .. 8 3 Speculator .. 6 12 Skirmisher ... 8 3 Hybrid 6 12 Saracen 8 2 Leontine 6 12 Rangipuhi .. 8 0 Goosander .. 6 12 Pegasus Vogengang .. 7 13 Grenadier .. 6 12 7 13 . Princess May 6 12 Lady Zetland 7 12 Barmby 6 11 Bead on well.. 7 11 Bugler 6 11 Impulse 7 9 Needlegun .. 6 11 Lottie • • 7 8 Marino 6 11 Ich Dien 7 8 Loveshot 6 11 Royal Bose .. 7 8 Colebeck 6 11 Monte Carlo 7 7 Lieutenant .. 0 11 Dreamland .-. 7 7 Meteoro 6 11 Pinrose 7 6 Salvo 6 11 Dilemma .. 7 6 Britain 6 11 Rangiatea .. 7 5 Dumlop 6 10 Scot Free .. 7 4 Rancour 6 9 Captive 7 4 Nixie 6 9 Three Star 7 4 BeauBrummel 6 9 Outpost . 7 3 Duckenfield.. 6 9 Lakeshell .. 7 3 Br g,by TorpeMagazine .. 7 3. do—Kopeki 6 9 ArtUleur 7 2 Planet .. 6 8 Mahaki .. 7 2 Rainbow 6 8 Caaket • • 7 2 Salano 6 7 Searchlight.. 7 0 King Wai .. 6 7 Westmere .. 7 0 Teredina 6 7 Banner 7 0 Vista.. 6 7