THE C.J.C. HANDICAP,

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 38, 4 June 1881, Page 416

THE C.J.C. HANDICAP,

By "Old Turfite." The weights for this important race have recently been published, though why so long before the day no one can understand. To point out the winner, or anything like it, would at the present time be absurd, as horses alter immensely during a winter's rest, especially two and three-year-olds ; moreover, many of those entered have never appeared in public. Therefore, in going through the Handicap I shall only endeavour to point out the ones that from previous running appear to have a chance at the present time. Le Loup heads the list with 9st 81b. At this weight, taking into consideration that the handicap only comes down to 6st, he should have a great chance. It is indeed only 21bs over weight-for-oge, and the way he romped home for the same event and the Canterbiiry Cup last year prove him to be a real racehorse. Just before the Dunedin Meeting Le Loup gave way in one of his forelegs, and has since been sold for Stud purposes. It is reported that his owner intends to try and train him again, but I never believe in a patched-up horse for a race of this description. Sir Modred, 4yrs (9st 51b.) has 51bs over weight-for-age. During last season he proved himself a long way superior to any of his own age, but it has been a season when three-year-olds have been very indiiferent. It is well known in racing circles that two-year and three-year-olds can give more weight away than any other age ; therefore I think others of the same age that are below him in the handioap will prove his superior. Natator, 6yrs (Bst 131bs), must be considered well-in ; he won the Wellington Clip with Bst lib, and the D.J.C. Handicap with Bst 111 b. On those performances he should prove dangerous, if he ia the selected one of a strong stable. Foul Play, aged (Bst 111 b), has 91b less than weight-for-age. As a fiveyear old he won the Wellington Cup with Bst 41b pretty easily ; and last Christchnrch Spring Meeting, carrying 9st, he ran well up to Le Loup and Piscatorious for the C.JT.C. Handicap. He romped home for the Auckland Cup with ease, but he had nothing of much account to

beat, Betrayer having gone amiss, and his two most dangerous opponents — King Quail and Libeller — fell. At Napier and in the Easter Handicap) at tho Auckland Meeting he cut it in the most decided manner when the pinch came. A horse, after doing that twice, can never be trusted in a severe race. Fishook, aged (Bst 61b), is a bottled-vip old horse, and will never again show to advantage on a racecourse. Grip, syrs (Bst 61b), is a dangerous horse to meddle with until his stable's intentions are known. As a three-year-old he was nearly, if not quite, at the top of the tree ; all this year he has been on the shelf. He was backed for a good stake for the Dunedin Cup, but went lame behind, and was scratched. If he shoixld prove the best of the stable on the day, he is likely to prove dangerous. Betrayer, syrs (Bst 51b), was much the same animal as Grip, though he has a much longer list of winnings to his name. The way he won the Wanganui Cup as a three-year-old, and his other performances, prove him a thorough stayer. After he came up for the Auckland Meeting at Chx-ist-mas he went amiss, and was thrown up for the remainder of the season. Should, however, he recover his old form, he will take a lot of beating. He belongs to a dangerous pjirty, and the market had better be watched. Sir George, 4yrs (Bst 41bs), cannot be considered well-in. The Wanganui Cup, which he won, must be looked uj)on as a false-run race, and I think that speed will be proved his/orfe. Randwick, 6yrs (Bst 2lbs), is fairly treated, but he has never shown his ability to get two miles. His late owner always thought him a non-stayer; however, in his present trainer's hands he has shown a great improvement, especially towards the end of last season, so we may not have yetseen the best of him. He, moreover, belongs to a clever stable. Voluuteer, syrs (Bst 21bs), is another bottled-up horse ; his performances last season point to him being an arrant rogue, and on previous running Betrayer and others hold him safe at the weight. Lure, 4yrs (Bst), as a two-year-old showed a great turn of speed by winning the Nursery Handicap, and finishing well up in the Champagne Stakes to Sir Modred. She only appeared last season at the Metropolitan Meeting, where she disappointed her party. However, with age she may improve like her brother, Le Loup. Piscatorious (sys, 7st 131bs), is nicely weighted. He ran second to Le Loup (Bst 91bs), with 7st up, in the last C.J.C. Since then he has not run, having given way in one of his legs. He has now had a long- rest, which, through being an over-grown colt, is all in his favour. Should he stand a severe preparation— which I doubt— he may land Mr. Walters a coup. Gorton, 4yrs (7st 121bs) has never run. Ho is in reality only a little over three, as he was sired in England. He is not bred to be a stayer, as Thunderbolt, his sire, could neither stay nor get a stayer ; Thunder, one of his best sons, never getting over a mile and a-half, but up to that distance he was nearly the best of his year. Lyra, the dam, was also a non-stayer ; and the two out of her produce by Thunderbolt that have raced in England, have not done much. Still Gorton is a fine colt, and will have every justice done him. Chancellor, aged (7st 121 b), is very well-in considering that he won this race in 1879, with 7st Slbs on his back, in 3min. 37} see. He is, however, an uncertain brute, and, I believe, none of the soundest. Libeller, syrs (7st lllbs) is nicely weighted, and is as well-in as anything. During last season he was most unlucky, running second for a good many big handicaps ; but it was owing to his owner's bad judgment. If he had been kept for one or two races only he would most likely have pulled them oft. The pony must have a constitution like iron to stand the knocking about he has had the last two years. He is, I believe, still perfectly sound, and, as he winters South in good hands, he is worth following. Lady Emma, 4yrs (7st lOlbs), has nothing to complain of at tho weight, but the distance, I think, is too far, and the spring is a bad time for mares. Titania, aged (7st Slbs), Hilarious, -lyrs (7st 91bs), Badsworth (4yra, 7st Slbs), and Longlauds, aged (7st 71bs), may be passed over, as, on paper, they have no chance. Leveller, 4yrs (7st 71bs), is a well-bred colt, being by Tradueer, out of Waimea. His performances give no line to go by ; he is also a difficult horse to train. Somnus, 3yrs (7st6lbs), has weigh t-t'oi'-nge ; he has certainly proved himself the best two-year-old of the season, but I think this was owing to bis being the ripest at the time, and that there are others of tho same age that have run this year that will prove bis superior as three-year-olds. OnDit,syrs (7st Gibs), is another that is decidedly well-in ; her runing in the Dunedin Cup proves it. According to Mr Lance she is a delicate mare, and will not feed when she is away from home. This may be the case. If so, it must be borne in mind that this time she is at home. November is not a good month for xnares; still, taking everything into consideration, she reads most dangerous. Grand Duchess, oyrs, ("st 31bs), and Atlantic, 6yrs (7st), may be passed over. Idaluim (7st lib) has plenty of weight on, though I think he is a better colt than his stable companion — Soninus. He was left at the post in the Champagne at Dnnedin, though his party declared to win with him. Governor, 4yrs (7st), has proved himself during the past segson a good, honest horse, and shown consistent form, have run several times into a situation ; but I doubt his being class enough for a race of this description, though he is sure to pay his way. Sir Garnet, 4-yrs (7st), I know little about. He is considered a good horse, but a difficult horse to train, owing to his feet being bad ; still, with his weight, he does not require to be a very good one to work himself to the front, and should therefore be kept on the right side. Of those over 7st., I consider the following read the best in : — Natntor, Grip, Betrayer, Randwick, Libeller, On Dit, uud Sir Garnet. Of these Grip and Betrayer bave been on the shelf for some time, and, until something more is known about them, had better be left alone. I will analyse the remainder next week.