TALK OF THE DAY BY MAZEPPA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 39

TALK OF THE DAY BY MAZEPPA.

THE OTAGO CUP MEETING. The acceptances and general entries for the Dunedin Jockey Club's races to be held at Wingatui on the 29th inst. and the~ Ist December show, that there is a prospect of fair fields as fields run "nowadays, and not one of the races, excepting the Salisbury Plate and the Ste-phenson Memorial Stakes (which on paper are fair things for Blazer), is easily picked. I am looking to the improved Southerly Bustei to beat Ilex in the Hurdle Race, and if so the Southland gelding will . about win. Pioneer Js bound to be dangerous, but- 1 think a quarter of a mile shorter course would be more to his liking.- Of the Hack Handicap candidates, I' fancy that La •Heine will nearly, if not' quite, get home, and Sally is the .member that may give her trouble; while Bracken will very likely secure a place. In choosing Red Gauntlet for the Dunedin Stakes I do so on the general principle that, a winning two-year-old can mostly give a bit of weight to others of the same age. The reason is not that a good two-year-old is a wonderful weight-carrier, but that there is such an enormous difference between a good two-year-old arid a moderate one, or between a trained two-year-old and one half fit. that the winner will often win again. Beside? this, Red Gauntlet is, I believe, a fast iolt on his merits. Six have paid up for the Otago Cup, and in all probability Strathnairn will be made favourite. He has earned that undesired honour by his performance over this very distance in the Metropolitan Handicap. Ido not a,gree, however, that he is anything like a certainty ; in fact, I shall select Jupiter to beat him, and Dundas may do so also if he has freshened up since his failures at Riccarton. These are the three from which I expect the winner to come. Of the Maiden Plate lot I like La Reine best of those I know, and Mosca is next best. The Federal Handicap will in all likelihood be a good race between Pampero, Paladin (if kept for this event), Tsaritsa, and Edelweiss, and I select Tsaritsa to win. The Salisbury Plate threatens to be an e~sy thing for Blazer. The Welter, however, is a very open event, and I expect to see a close contest -between Brisa, Suzannah, and Witchcraft The latter is worth ss ; though I fancy her least of the three mentioned. To repeat, my fancies are as follow: — • I-lurdle Race. — Southerly, Biwßr. Hack Race. — La Reine 1, Sally 2. Dunedin Handicap. — Red Gauntlet. Otago Cup. — Jupiter 1, Strathnairn 2, Dundas anywh'erc from first to last. Maiden Plate.— La Reine (if kept for it) ; in her absence, Mosca. Federal Handicap. — Tsaritsa. Salisbury Plate. — Blazer. Welter. — Brisa 1, Suzannah 2, "Witchcraft