THE RACING CARNIVAL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1164, 3 November 1917, Page 2

THE RACING CARNIVAL.

CUP DAY PROSPECTS. OPENING DAY'S EVENTS. Once again we arc on the eve of Canterbury's great racing carnival. Throughout next week Christchurch will be the Mecca of sportsmen from all parts of the Dominion, and for the time being all other burning questions of the day will be sunk in paying tribute at the shrine of St. Hippo. In compliance with the decree for less racing, the Canterbury .lockey Club has curtailed its fixture from the usual four days to three, and as a result the racing will all be got into a week. This reduction has necessitated a rearrangement of the programme, so for the first time in many years the New Zealand Cup and Derby will be decided on the same day. Despite the curtailment of events, the meeting has found just as much favour with owners from other parts of the Dominion as ever, and, though the absence of so many good horses in Australia will impair the quality of the fields, any deficiency in this respect will be counterbalanced by the increased number of competitors. So far as the sport is concerned, the prospects have seldom been brighter. Nearly every stable of importance from Auckland to the Bluff has one or more representatives, and, as in the past, it seems certain that the enterprise of the visitors in coming so far afield will meet with fitting reward. . Turning to the social side of the gathering, matters are not so bright. Sportsmen have responded to the Empire's call in its time of need so generously in the essentials of men and money as to take much of the glamour off next week's gathering. This is bound to be reflected in the pleasure of many who make Canterbury's Carnival Week their one holiday of the year; but no doubt the optimism inherent in all who go a-racing will rise to the occasion. May the fifth War Cup be decided under the more happy conditions that w T e are now all looking forward to so confidently. Opening Day's Events. Yes, Monday's card is one that for all-round excellence has never been equalled by any racing club in the Dominion. Firstly, there is the -New Zealand Cup, that greatest of all tests of endurance. Secondly, the old-estab-lished three-year-old classic, the Derby; and, thirdly, the event par excellence for two-year-olds, the Welcome Stakes. These, with the well-endowed handicap events, make up a programme that even such an enterprising institution as the Canterbury Jockey Club has every right to be proud of. Never has the historic convincing ground shown to better advantage than at the present time; and all that is now required to ensure a highly successful gathering is fine weather. The Cup Candidates. Though we have had many higherclass Cup fields than the lot engaged in . the .coming race, there is no getting 1 away from the open nature of the issue. It does not say much for the calibre 1 of the field when a horse of Multifual 'a 'moderate credentials is found heading the list. Last season he registered several fair performances up to a mile and a-half, including a victory in the. Hawke's Bay Cup. Since his arrival at Eiccarton there has been nothing impressive about his track work, and with Bst 111b in the saddle he has a racehorse's task in front of him. There are few more genuine stayers in the race than Eorke 's Drift, who has already shown winning form this season. Still, staying is not the only essential, even in such a test of stamina as the New Zealand Cup, and as he failed 12 months ago under 41b less than he is' how set to carry, the Calibre, gelding's prospects do not look particularly bright. . '. Snub is' a horse .Tfhc-se prospects are very difficult to,siz;e Up. Going on track form alone, his chapce would be second to none, but with the colours up Lx seems an altogether. different proposition. Since his failure at Eangiora he has been responsible for two splendid gallops, and no horse in the race has better staying credentials. No one would begrudge his new owner a turn of Fortune's wheel, but while quite prepared to see Martian's uulucky son taking a hand in the finish, I would be diffident about recommending him as a winner. There has been nothing particularly attractive about John Barleycorn's form this season; indeed, it has not been of such a satisfactory nature as that shown by him prior to contesting last year's race. Still he has only to reproduce his best showing, as for instance his A.E.C. Handicap race, to be in the fighting line at the finish. From Fordell. Ever since the weights appeared Client has figured as one of the mostfancied candidates. At the recent Wellington Meeting he showed up iu a very favourable light by winning the Wainui Handicap in brilliant style. This race demonstrated that the Elevation gelding is back to his best form, and though he has not yet raced over a twomile .journey, he has all the necessary qualifications to do so. Another thing in Client's favour is that he is trained by one who thoroughly understands the art of getting a horse ready for a twomile contest. Menelaus was a clinking good three-year-old who, on breeding, should be able to stay. So far, he has not been raced over lengthy courses, and may not be quite seasoned enough for the severe contract in front of him. In some quarters Sleight of Hand is looked on as the best of good things. True, lie has a great record to boast of, and his partisans argue that a horse capable of winning a Grand National Hurdles practically front end to end, will not be troubled by the Cup journey. That, may be so, of course, but the two races are of altogether different character. Mystification's son is one of those freegoing sorts that always likes to be out in front. Tactics of this kind seldom prevail in the New Zealand Cup, and I should not be surprised to see him wanting over the last stages of the journey. There is this in his favour, however, that he. will be one of the fittest horses of the field. Amongst the Light Weights. Multiply appears to be a spent light, and if Hendra's form at Trentham was correct his prospects need hardly bo discussed. A different, proposition altogether is Teka, who both on Wellington form and track work at Eiccarton, must be given a royal chance. The only doubt in his case is to whether the journey will not find him wanting. In this respect he has to be taken on trust, but there seems no valid reason why he should not stay with the best. There is little attractive about Marsa's chance, while King Star, Sir Solo, and Johnny Walker are not likely to cause

speculators much concern. Paraoa shaped liltc a st»y«nr at Wellington, while Cleft and Midnight Star are a! pair of likely outsiders. Altogether, the! issue looks particularly open, and I though form points to Client, Teka, audi Snub playing their parts well, it is just! the kind of race that may hud out-! aiders in evidence. The. Hurdle Division. With the exception of the three top-1 weights they are anything but a select lot remaining in the Spring Hurdles. i The better of Trilford's pair—Crib and San Sebastian— l is bound to take beating while it is only a question of .(cannot jumping well to set his opponents a rare ■ task. Quite a number of smart three-year- • olds figure in the Spring Plate, several of whom claim more important engagements at the fixture. One of these in Nanna can be relied on to acquit herself with distinction, as few horses trained at Eiccarton have been responsible for more attractive work. Eude is another of whom the best of has not yet been seen in public. Of the many standing their ground in the Linwood Handicap, the two topweights, Charley and Borodino can be relied on to see out the full journey, while Vandubhe, who will have to put up a 101b penalty, is credited with being something above the ordinary. Some Promising Juveniles. Most of the 16 two-year-olds remaining in the Welcome Stakes have already sported silk, and several can lay claim to winning form. Pontoon and Finmark are a pair of very promising colts, both of whom should be well suited by. the Eiccarton straight. Outside of this pair the Demosthenes filly Karo is likely to show the most improvement. There is no question as to what will start favourite for the Derby, as the situation appears'to be* completely dominated by Estland. This son of Finland and War Scare was amongst the first flight of two-year-olds, but repeatedly bumped against something just a little better than himself. That'he is likely to develop into a clinking good three-year-old is practically certain, and there is no getting away from the merits of his achievement in the Champion Plate at Trentham last month. Gamecock cannot be at his best, while Kilrush, Arrowfield, and Mortham are hardly class enough. Probably the Hawke's Bay colt will meet with the stroagest opposition from Impediment and Silver Tongue, both of whom showed promising form at the Wellington meeting. The Big Sprint. Mr Henrys has set backers a rare puzzle in the Stewards' Handicap, one that will take a lot of solving. Crcesus does not appear to be quite wound up, and though Form Up ran disappointingly at Trentham there is every indication that he may show to more advantage at Eiccarton. No horse has shown better form this season than Fiery Cross, who can be relied On to fight out every inch of the journey. Gazique brings with him a great reputation, and has already given a taste of his quality at Eiccarton, as has Nystad, who, despite a 71b penalty, is bound to show a bold front. Trentham form points to Lady Black having rare prospects, while Miss de Val, Elocution, Lingerie, and Wrestler can all be relied on to cut out a very merry six furlongs. In races of this class luck can always be expected to take a hand,, consequently such quick beginners as Lady Black, Form Up, and Fiery Cross may be worthy ot respect. The first day's operations will be brought to a conclusion with the Eiccarton Welter, always a popular event with owners. Of the heavy-weight division Comely may be most worthy of support, while Kiltess and Comment should also be in the running. TO-DAY'S TRACK WORK. RICCARTON AND ADDINGTON NOTES. There was a large number of spectators at this morning to witness the final gallops, most of which were accomplished on the inside of the trial grass track. As the going was rather holding time-making was out of the question. Crcesus, galloping freely, got to the end of five furlongs in lmin 4 2-ssec. Margcrine, from a stand, registered a smart gallop in getting to the end of six furlongs in lmin 18scc. Mcnelaus finished in front of Johnny Walker over a mile run in lmin 49sec. Seadown was better than Nystad over six furlongs, run in lmin 1!) 2-ssec. Gazique galloped half a mile down the back brilliantly in 49 3-ssec. Gamecock, with a couple of lengths start, had Adjutant for a companion over a mile. I The former got the verdict by a head, in lmin 47 3-ssec. Paraoa was just in front of Mutifual, with Cleft two lengths away, over 1} miles, run in 2.lf>sec. Miss de Val had a companion over six furlongs run in lmin 19 2-ssec.' Marsa, Snub and Rorke's Drift were sent over 1} miles. When the post was reached Marsa was half a length in front of Snub, with Rorke's Drift a bad third. Marsa's time was 2mln 14sec. Sleight of Hand was worked by himself. He does not appear to gallop so well as on his arrival at Riccarton. Impediment and Teka finished together at the end of a mile and a quarter gallop. Euripos was better than Charley over five furlongs, run in lmin flsec. Bjorneborg had Rlackall's measure over six furlongs in lmin 18 l-sscc. Crib and San Sebastian were given a useful mile. Gang Awa' was in front of Arrowfleld over Ave furlongs, run in lmin 4 3-ssec. Estland was a length in front of Egypt over six furlongs, the journey taking lmin Msec. Oxenhope was sprinted half a mile, and Lingerie was given a similar task, the latter running it in 51 sec. Fiery Cross went half a mile down the

! back in 4!) l-6sec. He is galloping in great I style. ' Client was a long way in front of Midj night Star at the Wld of 1J miles run in 2min 11 3-ssec. It was a creditable performance on the part of the Cup favourite, I who finished up his task as if capable of ; going on with it. j Form Up and Elocution were given a : smart run over six furlongs, which occupied lmin 18scc. Rattle Eve and Zuland were given useful work. I King Star ran 1} miles by himself In 2mln 18 l-asec. He seemed to.have had enough when the post was reached. Ron was going better than Subterfuge over six furlongs, run in lmin 19 3-sscc. Samisen went half a mile in 50sec. Jcannot and Achillcus were companions over 1.1 miles. The White King and Kimbolton were evenly matched over six furlongs, the last five taking lmin "0 4-. r >sec. Nanna went five furlongs in lmin 3scc, a good gallop. Don Pacifico, Cast Iron and Ogier finished in the order named over 1} miles, the last mile taking lmin 49sec. Lockweir and Tyrie ran four furlongs in 52sec. Daytime rattled over half a mile down the straight In 51sec. Red Rook and Spyglass finished together over six furlongs, run in lnfrin 19sec. Multiplication and Kilboyne were together over six furlongs, the last four taking 53SCC. Bomb, Nautical and Rellrock went half a mile in 50 2 sscc, finishing in the order named. Scornful and Aldigus were given sprinting tasks. A number of horses were given easy tasks on the small track at Addington this morning. It dried very quickly, and in the afternoon was in very fair order. Erin's King was given long slow work, and seemed anxious to increase the pace. Dunn has the Cup horse in fine., heart for next Tuesday's contest, Michael Galindo was sent several rounds at a fair pace, pulling up apparently sound. He. is to be driven in his engagements next week by J. Brankin. The southern mentor W. Jones, was on the track with Matchlight, who was kept to easy pacing. Paul Huon and Win All cast several rounds behind at half pace, and easy tasks were apportioned Commander Bell and The Sprinter. Annett has Ms two charges looking in nice order. J. Brankin put in an appearance this morning with Eccentric, Huon Drift and General Link, and they were given easy work. All look well especially General Link, who has evidently got through a very solid preparation. The big track at Addington will be opened till 10 a.m. on Monday for horses engaged at the Metropolitan meeting. Last night's heavy rain left the big track at Addington quite unfit for work this morning, and it was not opened. This was a great disappointment to many trainers who intended giving their charges strong work-outs. A number of horses were exercised on the small track during nie forenoon, but the state of the going prevented fast work.