TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2761, 13 February 1907, Page 54

TALK OF THE DAY.

Ky Sentinel.

THE DUXEDIX CUP MEETIXG

The fact that the handicaps have been declared for the first day of the Dune-din Cup meeting unmistakably evidences that .we -are on the threshold of holding our principal race gathering. Crichton, who was racing in good form in the spring. figures at th« top of the handicap, bun it i» doubtful if he l- at pre«enf in a condition to mamtAin the honour if he .-hould go to the post. His form earned him 8.9 in the C.J.C. Metropolitan and 8.10 in the Fendalton Handicap — at the la=t Cup meet ang; but he went off during his trip north. and has done little on the track =inc<\ Signalman is not fancied after his di^plaj* la*fc week- He is set to meet Cross Battery, whom he beat in the St. Albant 'Handicap, one mile, on 71b better terms, jand this writer agrees with the handicapper that the filly should -have beaten ithe Cl&nEanald horse; in fa'cfe r the writer tia of opinion that if Cross Battery is sent Ro tha post she will be hard to. heat. Red .panntlefe is favourably placed, and" if at ibis best on the day should' run welt Chanjphattan has ■ form to hi* credit which jbntitle* him to a chance, but Stepdanoer ."trill have Fa improva. * lot on last week g Iform. -Sh,e won. last year with. 7.8, and ber recent work may bring Eei: along in 'condition. Lapland i& likely to: Impwjre, and Notua may run well, as be i» fairly well and generally runs a good Bonest race. If Tirole has survived icrne Work since li" was last here h« would have- an oscelloiu chance with 7.2, and Lady Lajidoi) h preferred to anything underneath )i,--r i, L ,} lo handicap. Astrakhan £**i well «,t Goie, and may be lounof nui-

ning prominently, but at the present stage Cross Battery is the one most fancied as likely- to supply the winner. Cross Battery heads the handicap in the Publicans', and she reads as dangerous as anything in the list. Next to her. Rosebloom, Golden Cairn, and Apollodoris may be found formida,ble T whilst there is ample material engaged which should see a good field at the post. Further consideration is deferred until after the appearance of the acceptances, which fall due on Friday next.