THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 1 July 1903, Page 56

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

By Fritz.

June is the quietest month cf the year for sportsmen in this part of the colony, and the publication of the weights for the New Zealand Cup is always anxiously looked for, providing, as they do, fruitful subject for discussion till racing is resumed at Riccarton in August. This year's handicap was issued by Mr Henrys a few days before it was generally expected. The criticism which has been occasioned has been generally of a favourable nature. No serious blots have been discoveied. In commencing with Achilles, Mr Henrys has a top-weight whose ability over a distance is still a matter of conjecture. Up to the present he has never started ovei a greater distance than a mile and a-quarter, and on the only occasion when he tried that journey ho had nothing opposed to him of any quality. Up to a mile he has given ample proof during the past sea Eon of his ability, and as a sprinter he has no superior in the colony. Many profess to believe that he will not stay, but until he has been proved a- failure it would be dangerous to pass over such a brilliant horse. The next pair on the list, Wairiki and Orloff, are assessed on equal terms, Orloff having the 3lb gilding allowance. On the running m tho Great Northern Derby, Wairiki appears to hold his opponent safe, for on that occasion he won very easily. There '8 reason lor the opinion, however, that Orloff was not seen at his best that day, and his form later in the season goes far to support that belief. Ho won the Dunedin Cup very easily, and was beaten by Mars in. the Wanganui Cup. There are many who witnessed the race who are convinced that Mr Stead's representative was unlucky to lose. Wairiki has also, Binee New Year's Day, been responsible for some good performances, including one at E->ster. Mr Henrys has probably disregarded the Derby running at Ellersho in handicapping these two four-ycnr-olds, and m placing them where he has apparently leaves each with good prospects of success.

During tho last 12 months Lady Lillian has been the most improving animal in New Ze&land. A year ago sha was haiidic<M,yied at. 6.11, but now-, though weighted .0, 8.12, bhe will be generally regarded as having a chance second to none. Her deeds at the back end of this season will be still frc«h in th" minds of sportsmen. Her Great Autumn Handicap victory was one of great merit, ai.d since then she has run successfully under big weights at Timaru and Winga'ui. Judged on his form in the last New Zealand Cup, Halberdier appears one of the most leniently treated horses on the list. Handicapped 8-t 7.11, he ean.c-1 a 3lb penalty before the day of the race, ard as he won very comfortably, he is not very highly assessed in being raised only Gib, especially when his .running in the Metropolitan and Fendalton Handicaps at the same meeting is taken into account. On returning to the North Island, he ran unsuccessfully on several occasion*, winding up the season by finishing fourth in the Wanganui Cup, in which raco he was giving 71b to Orloff, whom ho now meets on 1 lib better term- Viewed from this standpoint, he is entitled k> respect, and if he can

be landed safely at the post he should be hard to beat next November.

Shrapnel has been showing good form in the North Island during the last few months, and he created a very favourable impression when he captured the Thompson Handicap at Wellington. He is let in very lightly, and if he can see out a two-mile journey he should be very dangerous. On the score of weight Pallas is very well treated. In the Great Autumn Handicap he was set to caTry 8.12. He ran •well for a mile, but from that point he was beaten. Of his ability to cope with a twomile journey we are, of course, at present in the dark, but in assuming, as he has done in dropping him so much in the weights, that Pallas is a non-stayer, Mr Henrys has certainly taken a great liberty. Kelburn has improved a. lot since he arrived at Riccarton, and during the last month or two he has run several good races. He should, however, be held safe by Lady Lillian, judging the pair ofi their running at Wingatui. At the same time he is an improving horse, as he gives the impression that distance will not trouble him. so he may have to be seriously reckoned with. Up to last November Canteen was generally regarded as a non-stayer, but he ran a good raco behind Halbedier and Welbeck. For this ho was only raised 3lb, so that he has been given another chance to distinguish himself. Cannie Chiel, despite the fact that he has once or twice run prominently in races over a mile and a-half, is not to my fancy as a probable Cup winner. More to my liking is the r.ext horse on the list, Pampero. The Hon. G. M'Lean's representative was showing good form on the tracks when a split hoof causad his withdrawal on the eve of the last New Zealand Cup. After a spell of a few months he was raced again in the putumn without •uccess, but in the event of his standing a preparation I would hold his chance for this year's Cup in great respect. Up to tho present ScylJa has been unsuccessful over a longer distance than a. mile in decent company. Last spring, however, she put up a good performance in a mile and a quarter race at Ashliurton behind the dead-heaters, Nonette and Welbeck. Hinetaura has been racing well in the North Island this season, her second to Advance in the last Wellington Cup being full of merit, and on this form she must be given a chanc*. Despite the fact that he ran second in tho last AucK'And Cup, and won the Wanganui Cup in record time, I have no fancy for Mara. Strathavon has a good record of successes 111 Auckland, but so far he has failed to beat anything of good class. Golden Rose, though she has one or two smart performances to her credit, has so far failed over a distance; and I have no liking for the next pair, Melwood and Benzoin. Quarryman was not rushed as a two-year-old, and as he gave promise in the autumn of improving with age, he may make a- good representative for Sir George Clifford in this year's Cup. Glenaladale in tho same stable, has not been seen out since he broke down in the last New Zealand Cup. When he won the Great Autumn Handicap he raced like a horse that would stay well, but in view of the doubt as- to his standing preparation he may be passed over in the meantime.

A month or two ago Ringmaii was running very successfully in the North Island, but an analysis of his victories discloses the fact that the opposition was very weak, and his form later on in better company was decidedly moderate. Heroism has been strongly recommended from the North Island as a. likely Cup horse, but his poor form at Auckland last Ea-ster could not have been very encouraging to his friends. When seen at Riccarton at Easter Sea Lion, the brother to Achilles, made many friends, but in the meantime his ability is a matter of conjecture. General Symons has shown considerable ability more than once, but on figures he appears to be held safe by Lady Lillian and Orloff. Motor's form in good company has not been reassuring, though he has several times performed creditably under big weights against weaker opposition, (rold Crown, a three-year-old in the Porirua stable, is one that favourably impressed me when I saw him at Riccsrton Rt Easter, and I shall be surprised if he does- not develop into a leal good three-year-old. Of the other three-year-olds lower down on the list, I have most regard for Rose Shield, the litter to Cruciform, who should be capable of better things than she has yet accomprished. A number of • those at the bottom of the list can have 110 chance of success.*

To sum up, I would select the following as the most likely dozen in the race: — Achilles, Wairiki, Orloff, Halberdier, Lady Lillian, Pampero, Shrapnel, Pallas, Kelburn^ Heroism, General Symoirs, and Gold Crown.