CAP AND JACKET

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 11, 27 November 1880, Page 89

CAP AND JACKET

By Old Turfite.

THE AUCKLAND CUP,

The weights for the Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin Cups have just been issued. The two first have "been compiled by Mr. Edward Griffiths of Christchurch, who has come forward for the . post of handicapper for New Zealand. He has done a great deal of good to New Zealand with regard to racing, having imported several good horses, including Albany and Blueboy, and the brood mares Iclalia, Maria Theresa, Hammoch, etc. He is a good judge of a race horse, and racing in general, s>> if he gives his whole attention to handicapping, he may prove the right man in the right place. The Auckland Cup is the first race of the three, so I shall deal with that this week. Taking it as a whole, it is not a bad handicap, but it must be pronounced as a flattering one, and there are great discrepancies in it, which show a want of careful consideration in the adjustment of the weights ; for while some horses are moat leniently treated, others are completely crushed out of the race. This may be attributable to Mr. Giiffiths haying been compelled to make it in a hurry, owing to the Committee of the A.R.C. not having decided on a handicapper till the last minute. If Mr. Griffiths hopes to succeed as a handicapper he must spare no pains or trouble in working up the performances of the different horses, and form his own opinion of their merits, and turn a deaf ear to all outside advice. The post of handicapper is no sinecure, and he must be prepared for plenty of abuse, and making many enemies, but knowing him well, I hope he may succeed in his new calling. Le Loup, as might have been expected, heads the list, at 9st. 10lb. He could not have had less, as with Bst. 91b. he romped home for the C.J.C. Handicap, and also won the Canterbury Cup in the sanie easy fashion. Last year he was made a great favourite for the Melbourne Cup, but was easily beaten by his stable companion, Darriwell. Mr. Dakin always said that he was the best horse he ever trained, but through bad breaking he used to run shifty. At the time he was taken from him he was just beginning to gain heart, and run straight, so that if properly trained he would win some good races, which has been verified, and he has proved himself the best horse in i\ ew Zealand. He has been sold since the Christchurch meeting, and has gone to Dunedin. It is therefore unlikely that he will come up here, as he is much better in the Dunedin Cup. Foul Play (Bst. 121 b. )meetsLe Loup andhis other opponents in the C.J.C. Handicap on much better terms, and should he come up to Auckland he will stand a great chance, but I do not expect to see him at the post. Ariel (Sst. 121 b .) is completly crushed out of the race, and has been most unfairly treated, as his owner always runs him straight, and his late performances do not warrant that weight. Though he has won two Auckland Cups, it must be borne in mind that they must be considered two of the " flukes " that are so common in racing. Betrayer (Bst. lib.) has nothing to complain of. His running in the C.J.C. Handicap must not be looked at, as his stable companion, Le Loup, won easily, but he is another 1 do not expect to see coming north. Hornby (7st. lllb.) is well in, and hs running at the late Canterbury meeting must be ignored, as he was far from fit. Sinking Fund (7st. 71b. ) must be passed by. Piscatorius (7st. 41b. ) is one of the most leniently treated horses in the race, and from his Christchurch running must have a great show if the selected one of Mr. Walter's stable. He is a great overgrown, colt that is improving every day, and it is doubtful if we have seen the best of him yet. Rose of yherwell (7st. 31b.) is an untried mare. She was bred in England (therefore losing some months in age) and imported to Aiistralia, and there bought by Mr. Bobbett. She is well spoken of, and has already been backed to Avin some money. Libeller, 7st. 21b., and Grand Duchess (7st. lib.) are both well in. The latter, last year, was never properly wound up. She is a fine raking mare, of undeniable blood, being by Traducer, out of Peeress. They represent the same interest as Piscatorius. Lara (75t..21b.) has always been successful over this course, but those of my readers who have seen him run here will agree with me that he is "best left alone until he appears at the post. Maid of Honour (7st. 21b.) is very leniently treated. She came from Australia with a great reputation, but last year, owing to the change of climate and other reasons, she Avas never fit, though she succeeded in picking up one or tAvo small races. I have my doubts about her being able to stay, but I trust, for the sake of her plucky owner, that she may come fit and well to the post, and place the Auckland Cup of 1880 to his credit, h and wick (6st. 131 b.) belongs to a clever stable, and as they have more than, one in had better be watched. Vampire (6st. 121 b.) has too much weight as he is only a handful, and not class enough for this company. Virginia Water (6st. 121 b.) ran tAvo good races at the late Metropolitan meeting, and is an improving filly, but 1 do not expect to see her at the post. King Quail (6st. 121 b.) has no tiling to complain of at the Aveight, and is a better horse than many people think, but he has never been brought fit to the post. His performances, however, last autumn, entitle turn to respect. Hilarious (6st. 101 b.) Avill never get the distance if the pace is at all Strong. ReAvi (6st. 101 b.) has Avon his races like a race horse, but I am \xnable to form an opinion of the quality behind him. Gilderoy (6st. 101 b.) is outclassed. Badsworth (6st. 91b.) ought to be held safe by Virginia Water. Sir Garnet (6st. lib ), Vortex (6st. Blb ) and Strathern (6st. 81b.) are untried. Kenil worth (6st. 81b.) has plenty of weight, but last year he was never properly wound up, and is a fine poAverful colt, and bred to stay. If he comes fit to the post he should run well. Tim Whiffler (6st. 81b.) has done nothing to justify that weight, and is harshly treated, xatapa (6st. 71b.) is out of

place. The remainder, Avith the exception of Rosalind (6st. 31b.) may, I think, be passed over. She is an untried lilly, but I have very good accounts of her. When the acceptances appear there Avill be a great Aveeding out Ido not expect to see more than a moiety of them at the most left in, and of these perhaps a dozen may see the post, including one or two southern horses. Therefore it Avould be folly to attempt to pick out the Avinner. Backers therefore had better refrain from investing their money till the acceptances appear. As the handicap noAv stands, Foul Play, Mr. Walter's Quartette, Maid of Honor, Virginia Water, King Quail, and Kenilworth read the best. Most of the Auckland horses that are engiged are in good Avork, but many of them are A T ery backAvard for a race of this description. The Steeplechase can hardly be called a handicap, as Avith the exception <>f Lone Hand and The Agent, they are all in at lOst. Mr. Griffiths has evidently given it very little attention or he Avould never have let Sportsman in at the same Aveight as Mignonette, Don Juan and the others, as he has always shown a bit of form OA r er a country, Avhilst most of the lOst. division have never slioavii any pretensions to steeplechasing in good company, and some of them have never performed at all over a country. Lone Hand heads the list at 13st. Why he should be called upon to give The Agent 7lb. I am at a loss to conceive. As things noAV stand it looks as if the Steeple Chasj Avas at the mercy of The • gent. If he does not put in an appearance at the starting post I expect the race Avill turn out the same miserable " fiasco" that it has generally been. The Wellington and Dunedin Cup Handicaps I Avill treat in successive Aveeks ; also, local and other racing neAVS. I trust I shall be able to give my readers the same reliable information as I formerly did, and 1 shall be always happy to ansAver any sporting questions that may be submitted to me, as I now have more books of reference, etc. than I formerly had.