THE NEW ZEALAND CUP HANDICAP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 34

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP HANDICAP.

Br M. Qdad.

«• Well, what do you think of tbe weights ? " 3?h!» is the question of the moment amongst sporting men, sad the replies received do not, so far as I can ascertain, point to any particular horse as being exoaptioi ally well treated, whilst few can discover a moral or anything approsohing thereto. There ore many people who look upon Sir Henry's work as a very good and equitable •adjustment, whilst some good judges profess to Bee several palp«ble mistakes.

When the public are so divided in opinion it Is usually pretty safe to conclude that there is not much wrong with a handicsp; and I am {tot prepared to say this year's apportionment I not &t least the equal of its predecessors. jLaet year's handicap, however, I fancy was fcebter all round than this one. In attempting to criticise Mr Henry's work it Jb extremely difficult to gauge the ability of some of those Engaged, many of them having beea ia the cupboard for some time ; othori are graduates from the so-called "hack" ranks, and then there is the partisl cripple and the unknown quantity. It should always bb borne in mind fchat nnder Hie*e circumstances a handioapper his (vu extremely difficult uuderbakiug when ho attempts to bring such a ' mixed lot together, and Mr Henry's work is, taken as a whole, lairiy good. ' There are many individuals who must have a wager, no matter what the bone of«contentiou may be, anS several bets were booked prior to the appearance o!' the weights is to wliat •weight Gipsy Grand would ba asked to carry, foe it was generally recognised that Mr fitepbeneoti's fine, c^lt would lead the way. At Jbtte came time there were plenty of sports who Relieved that last year's winner would be placed on the same mark.

Many are of opinion tbat Mr Henry bas started a little too high, bnt I do not think so, And had Gipsy Grand been atked to carry a few pounds more he conld then, providing he was «a well as wheu be lait appeared ia public, Smother at lea*b two-thirds of the field With 9.7 against his name Gipsy Gr«ud cannot be out ttf it, &ud tbe came remark applies to Earoclydon 95. Here are two animals with ep'endid xecordc. In last year's Cup Gipsy Grand carried 7.6, whilet Euroolydon had 7.0 ; now JGipiy Grand meets Mr Ciaig's colt on 41b better borms. Ooafcidering tbat Gipsy Grand ■was fighting for hia head for a oailo and a-half and then fiuishedagood third last; November, it is )fair to assume that this year, with a strong horreknan, the colt will ran a much better race. Since then Gipsy Grand ba» registered tome sterling 'performances, wheht Kuryclydon has uot been ont. He is reported as having wintered wonderfuily well, end is now nominal favourite here. At the Dunedin Autumn meeting the grandmaster cult carried 8 4 in the Dunedin Cup and simply carrttted in, Saracen 8.2 being_ left at the post. The Forbury Handicsp, oae mile and a-quarter, was a gift to h*m, giving Bar*o*n lib and Bsrniby 41b. 'Mr Steph^nsoa's oolt 9r3 again defeated Saracsn 9,7 in \he Mar--Bhall Memorial StakeS. SaMC^n b"ad previously mpnt'He Dunedin Jockey Club Handicsp. c-no' tele* and Vh&lf, and ' thia being so, Gipsy Grand's performances stand out'ai particularly knbritorioui, and if this fins bone comes to the post fit and well he must bo extremely d&Dg&rous, and in my opinion should beat fSureolydon.

Fabulist 8.12 ("the best colt in Now Zealand,'' our Auckland friends tav) receives 7ib from la«t year's winner, and whilst I firmly believe Fabulist to be a fairly good colt, 1 think Mr Henry has done quite right in handicapping him on performances rather than on repute. He had no difficulty in winning the Auckland Guineas, and at the club's Summer meetiDg the Christmas Haudicap; one mile and a-quarfcer, alsc( fell to Fabulist 8.4 by a neck from St. £e«&l 7.12, Mauser 8 4 third. The Fabulous colt put up a really good performance when he won the Great Northern Derby in 2min 39^sec, and it was no disgrace to subsequently finish Beoond over six 'furlongs to a sprinter like Kloodihot, especially as he wat conceding Mr Btead'* colt 7;b. Since then, however, Fabulist faas done nothing of note, and although on bis Derby form he seems to be well treated as comjpared with the two top weights, I am of opinion that eifcber of the two can beat him, although I will keep him on my side.

Lady Zetland 8.9 is well treated. This mare's performances are so meritorious under about the weight she is now asked to carry that she most be dangerous. She hai encountered more really hard luck durisg the last twelve montht )>han any animal in the colony, snag after snag feroppiug up to defeat her. I believe the best performance this great mare ever put up jras ia the last Canterbury Cup, two asd a quarter tnilei. Euroclydon won, cerJtai»ly, but the d*ylight between the colt and Lady Zetland, would have been small indeed had Prime Warden been out of the race. Half a mile from home the mare started a pbenomenal run, which she maintained right up Jfco the post — oße of 'those finishes scarcely one knhnal in a thousand could accomplish at the putiaesß end of a long journey. Lady Zetland can stay, and ;as >he is quite round, must bare a great chance. 1 fancy Mr Henry has been somewhat hard pn Brooklet 8.8, and after carefully analysing W performances I fail to see why she should have received so muoh. Brooklet is atked to meet Fabulist on level weight- for-age terms, and on performances this does not seem qufte equitable. At the Manawatu Summer meeting %he mare, carrying 7.0, ran second to Lorelei 7.1 iv the Palmerston Cup, one mile and a-half. Lorelei again won on the second day, carrying 8.4, Prime Warden 8.8 second, Barraby 8.13 third. Brooklet won the Wellington Cup, one mile and a-half, with 7.3 up, Saracen B.3 second. {Tow Brooklet has to give Saracen 21b. In the IVanganui Cup she was weighted at 8.11, bhe came as Lady Zetland, bnt was never prominent. Now the latter, who was only beaten a noße by Spindrift, only puts up lib more than Brooklet. Lady Zetland Should beat her again, Brooklet won at Tarajnaki over a mile and a-half, but there^wasnot a Cup field behind her. And taking a line through Lady Zetland, Lorelei, and Fabulist, Brooklet has nob got in any too well. Saracen 8.6 has to put up 31b more than he did last year, and although he 1 has run some clinking good races up to a mile and a-half, or even a mile and three-quarters (he finished fifth with 8.5 in tbe Wanganui Cup), I do not think he fea» much chance compared with, say, Lady Zetland.

The Possible 8.5 has not shown muoh ability since he has been in this colony, and on hit form hers cannot win. Mahaki 8.3 it one of the picks of the handicap it he were anything 'like the Mahaki of old, but during the past wear he has not been out much ; still Mr Henry jbas made every allowance for his enforced idlesets, and if Mahaki can be got fit to the post be »hould run a good race, Ngatuere 8.2 has sot bis fair share, surely. He ran third ip the Wanganui Cup carrying 7.7, Lady Zetland giv«

ing him 181b and beating him. Now she gives him 71b. Ngatuere finished very well in this rase, has run well eince, and on the weight-for-age scale is supposed to make a grent improvement between last March nnd next November, but after making every such allowance baa receivod all he deserves through Lady Zetland. Searchlight 8.0 has proved herself able to get a good mile and o-holf, but I do not fancy her chance everoauch, She is a fast mare, and over two miles there is no reason why she should not stay so far as breeding is concerned. I rather like Lorelei at the came weight, as she has jprored herself able to gallop fast, although, like so many others in the list, ehe has yet to prove her ability to stay. Bteeie Maoorbhy 8.0 ia an uncertain quantity. This brilliant mare is nicely handioapp«d. Her posidou in the last Wellington Cup and her third in the Great Autumn Handioap, carrying 8 3, proves that she h*s not lostherpaoe; bud she is uusouad. Calvorin 8 0 has got just about what ws.s expected^ and an she is an improving mare she should again beat Bes6ie M»cnrthy. Iv the Autumn Handicap Culverin 7 13 iluishf d second to Bellioent 7.1, Beaßie Macarthy 8 3 third. Culverin was blooked at the t iru into the sbraight, or she might have troubled Balliceat. Bonnie Scotland 7.13 is an unknown quantity, and taking the betting market en a guide, is likely to remain bo. Quiltiri 7.13 should have a ohance, hie win a-, Douedin being full of merit, and as ho is bred to stay he may tun well, although I would soonerstandCulveria. Casket has only to come back to' anything like his beet form to have a show, as he ho« proved that he can stay, but he is under a cloud at pressut. Ch&os 7.11 hns not been aeon in public for a long lime, but he would have to improve a good deal on Wt year's performance, wfaeo. he r«Q second, carrying 6 13. He has not been at all well trt atftd.

Golden Plover 7.10 was handicapped at 31b more last year, but did not start. He.is a fair horss wheu well, bus of this I cannot speak. I b> 7a n > farcy for The Shrew 7 10, but Pompom 7 8 has put up oue or two decent performances, He won the Taranaki Jockey Club's Handicap, one mile aud a-half, iv 2mm 40*eo (7.4), and also appropriated the Autumn Handicap, one mile and a-qa«ter, at the tame meeting, carrying 8.3. He defeated really good fields in each race, and subsequently won at Napier. It is reported that Pompom has been icbookd over hurdles, nnd this process u*u»lly makes a horae slow. Lotion 7.9 is a good u*eful hoiss, and should beat a good many. He has won ssverd races during tho past y«jar», *nd there is no reason why tie should uot t>t&y. Ho is nici-ly weighted, and I should nob be uurpriaed to tee him ran a good race. Bellicent 7.9 is not as well treated as Culverin on Autumn -Handioip form. Bellicent does not give me the impression that she oau stay. In the Autumn Handicap, one mile and a-h«lf, there w*b a difference of 121b ; now only slb separates the two. Man-o'-war 7.8 has been ruoning iv:!nark*bly well, arid he is bred the right way ; but the company will, I think, be found too strong for him. Of Pinrose 7.8 little is kuovm locally. Several good races have been credited to this horse, but not of late.

Bombshell, the champiou two yew-old, has; got in fairly well^nd meet* the top-weight on I tha s&me terms as Gipsy Grand did last year. ' Good as Bombshell ba< proved himself to be as ! a Wo-y«jar-ol'j; laotaelioi/ oaujioo bring myself ; to fancy his chancu ova 1 two - miles. "His breeding* does nV. suggest; staying although his dam, Nautlus, produoad Cynisoa to Apremont. Caaiushot., bombshell's sire, could stay fairly vio)l, &ud a.s a thret-year-old rau a real good racs b -hind Mantou. All tha same I do not like Bombshell, *.nd prefer the ] prospects of his stable inata Epaulet, 7.1. This j colt I have always admired, aud as he is out of old Duda by Mcdalliou he should stay. Maxi- ! tain, 7,6, is rather on tho small side, but ho is ] fas|^and as he is by Maxim out of Miss Kate ' there is no reason why he should not get the ; distance. Dauntless 75 is not in my opinion likely to repeat his flukey win of last autumu, ■ when he won the Challenge^ Stakes. Anita j 7.3 is one of the best handicapped animals in the raco. It will be remembered that she won , tha Auckland Cup, and though she only carried 6 9 there was & tairly good fitld behind her. She subsequently ran well at Taran&ki and Wanganui, and as she has reoently won at Auckland she is evidently in good nick. She can start, and if she is stArted should take a lot of beating. I do not favour the prospeote of cither Lord Zetland 7.3, Aldershot 7.3, Black and Red 7.2, or New Forest 7.1 ; but Defiance 7.1 \a a decent out of a horse, and, iv addition, is Bired by Dreadnought—a recommendation in itself. He is stoutly built, too, and has occ*stona'ly shown the poseessioa of pace. Armilla 7 0 is a good and fast filly, but I much prefer the one just above her— Epaulet 7.1. Captive is of the resurrected tribe. If he could only be given a sound preparation he would possess a real good show. Hib recent Duiiediu running proves he h&s not lost his pace, and if there is an old horse with a light weight in the list able to win, perhaps ib is Captive. Belligerent 613 ! can be passed by at present, as also,, I should imagine, can Jane Eyre 6 12. Of Waihau 6.12 ! aud'Nicolo 612 but little is known, and I do not fancy Marquis of Zetland 6.12. I have so often expressed my admiration of Curassow 6.12 tbat it will not come as a surprise to my readers if I say that I believe this fine colt will have a good say in the settlement of the Cup if he trains on. He is in the hands of a good trainer, and will not lose anything in that respeot. I admit at once that I have no data to go upon except his locks and breeding. He is a strong and handsome colt, and by Cuirassier out of Merganser's dam is good enough for anything. Of Cceur de Liou 6 12, False Impression 6.12, or the colt by Dreadnought A out of Fureestring I know nothing, and I have no fancy for Antares 6.11. Lord of Misrule 6.10 is a fairish secpnd-claßs horse, but st&ying is not his forte, and of Daystar 6.10 I cannot speak with any degree- of certainty. Lord Rosslyn 6.10 it well in. He is a fine colt, and may effect a surprise. Vandyke 6.9 is in light enough surely, and the same may be said of Popgun 6.9. This is a well-bred animal, and as he has lately takeu it into his head to win, his engagement may be continued. Brigand 6.9 has surely been turned loose if he is the Brigand of St. Hippo's year; ;but since he divided that horse and Merganser in the Auokland Cap he has done little or nothing. I know he is at work, and is supposed to be shaping well, but it is nevor good business to back a horse that has beea in lavendar as long as Brigand has. been. Of the remainder little need be said. Hipprodromo 6.9 has been inquired for, as also has Esau 6.7, and of the two haoks, Voltigeur 6.7 and Crimson Streak 6.7, (here is not much to choose. In leleoting the following as having a ohance, I have taken those animals supposed to be I sound, as I have little faith in " resurrections." r will take Gipsy Grand, Euroolydon, Lady Zetland, Lorelei, Searchlight, Culrerin, Pompom, Quiltiri, Lotion, Anita, Defiance, Epaulet, Armilla, and Curassow, to provide the winner of the Cup of 1896. [It will be seen that in some resptota "M Quad " and " Mazeppa " are not of the same opinion. No effort aaa been made to influcno*

either writer towards an agreement. Their notices were written quite independently.— Ed. O.W.f