Sporting.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 36, 2 November 1894, Page 2

Sporting.

[Notes by " Caledon."] The following horses remain in the New Zealand Cup, which is to be run on 6th November':—

Once again time has brought ua to the eve of the principal event of the New Zealand turf, and judging from the number which so far remain in the race, this year's contest will be decidedly interesting. Twenty-five horses have so far paid up, but as another payment has to be made before the race we may expect a few deflections, but the field is bound to be numerous, and with the best handicap horses in the colony still engaged, a grand race is sure to result.

I notice that eight out of the dozen 1 selected some months ago as being the most favorably handicapped are still in the race, in fact the only notable absentees are Liberator, Lady Zetland and Pinrose.

Prime Warden, Au Bevoir, Saracen, Pegasus, Impulse and Boyal Bose have all been well backed ; in most . cases the stable is reputed to hold the bulk of the iuvestments. According to track doings no very sensational gallops have been recorded, but Au Bevoir appears to have put in a lot of good work, while Bedonwell is the " Besponse " of last year. I am a thorough believer in gauging the chances of the candidates by the quality of the work performed by each, and on this account do not see how Clanranald, Skirmisher, Bangipuhi, Vogengang, Scot Free, Three Star,' aud Mahaki, together with a few others, can have a show in the great two miles.

I have not altered my previouslyexpressed opinion that Prime Warden cannot get the distance in a true run race, such as this is sure to be, but as both he and Saracen are trained privately, no information regarding their doings is available. Bosefeldt has come into great favor since her Wanganui performances last month, and the Ancklanders Impulse, Pegasus, and Lottie have been pleasing the touts, while a little bird has whispered to me that Leontine is a rod in pickle. To summon up, I think a number of the so-called " good things " will be far from good at the finish, and I shall unhesitatingly plump for Au Bevoir to win the Cup of '9-i, with Saracen and Boyal Bose or Lottie to fill the other places, and should not be surprised to see Bedonwell among them at the finish.

The programme for our annual New Year's Day fixture appears in another column, from which I note that the same amount is to be given away in stakes as last year, and that the district boundaries of the Harakeke Stakes have been abolished, which is certainly a step in the right direction. By this alteration three-year-olds engaged in the Sires' Hack Product Stakes in February next, will have an opportunity of sporting silk, and get a little accustomed to the crowd and noise. It is to be hoped the Club will receive a good response from owners. The Manaia Eacing Club intend holding their aunual fixture a week earlier, instead of Boxing Day, as heretofore, as the Metropolitan Club have always held a hack meeting on the same day, to the detriment of the smaller club.

The Manaia Trotting Club intend holding a trotting meeting in December, and should have an enjoyable day's sport.

Jenny, the well-known flat and cross-country mare, has a colt foal by Lebel (Nordenfeldt—Pulchra). The starting machine will be used at the forthcoming C.J.C. Meeting. * Norton has gone to Australia, and report says is destined for the Old Country. What a surprise if the exWest Coast hack should win the Liverpool Grand National! Mr Gollau has purchased a two-year-brother to his cross-country champion. The Eltham R.C.'s Hack Meeting takes place io-day, and I like Snapcap in the Hurdles, Bewa in the Flying, and Buckles should annex the Cup, which is 100 sovs, a very nice stake for the chief prize. Mr R. H. Nolan, the country delegate, proceeds to Cbristchurch to-day to attend the conference to be held there. .

Mr Dan O'Brien has refused au offer of 2000 guineas for Loyalty, and private information is to hand stating he is expected to have a big say in the Melbourne Cup, which is to be run on the 6th. e

Mr M. Callendav's llichmond part in the Scurry Eace at Eltham to-day, but will be at a disadvantage, as he has not been doing any fast work. If some landowner near the town would only place sufficient area under offer to the Club, I feel sure we should soon have a good course, so that local horse 3 could receive ggod training.

st lb st lb Prime Warden 8 8 Lottie.. ..7 8 Au Revoir 8 6 Dilemma ..7 6 Hippomenes .. 8 4 Scott Free ..7 4 Rosefeldt 8 3 Captive .. 7 4 Claoranald .. 8 3 Three Star ..7 4 Skirmisher .. 8 3 Magazine ..7 3 Saracen 8 2 Mahaki ..7 2 Royal Pose .. 8 1 Casket ..7 2 Rangtpuhi 8 0 Forepo ..7 2 Pegasus 7 13 Westmere ..7 0 Vogengang .. 7 13 Aldershot .. 6 13 Bedomvell 7 11 Leontine .. 6 12 impulse 7 9