CAP and JACKET

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 910, 6 June 1896, Page 15

CAP and JACKET

RACING FIXTURES NEW ZEALAND. June 6 & B— Auckland R.C. "Winter.

NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND

NATIONAL MEETING.

Exceedingly promising is the prospect for the above meeting. Horses from the South have been arriving in large batches daring the past week. Some of them are of the very best class of steeplechase and hurdle horses at present racing in the colony. The numerous entries for all the events point to extraordinary big fields, and with the many good horses competing, turfites have before them an almost certain prospect of witnessing good racing at Ellerslie on Saturday and Monday next. Racing would appear to be booming in New Zealand. All the priucipal Racing Clubs of the colony have had a season of financial success. At anyrate, in most cases, the totalisator returns have shown a much higher average than for seasons past. Especially has this been so in the North, and for our Clubs- to be placed on a sound financial basis means in the future the raising of the standard of racing. After such a long terra of depression it is pleasing to be able with confidence to prophecy future prosperity, and to those who have not yet left off growling a silencing answer will soon be forthcoming, when facts will speak for themselves. Re the A.R.C.'s Winter Meeting, which opens on Saturday, there is no doubt in my mind that, given fine weather, the gathering will prove one of the best Grand National Meetings that the Club has yet held.

The two principal events of the meeting — the Grand National Hurdle Race and the Great Northern Steeplechase — represent my chief task this week in an anticipatory way. Acceptances for the minor events close too late for my advantage, and all I can do with them is simply to point to horses I think best in at the weights, and for other reasons understood. To begin with the G.N. Hurdles. Here is a big field indeed, but amongst the list are a good many which can be passed over very comfortably and with very little misgiving. As usual in these big events, the heavily weighted division look most dangerous. The first four in the hurdres are alone a good quartette enough to furnish an interesting race, but it is probable only two of them will be required to make a special effort for this race, as Liberator and Tiri tea will most likely be reserved for the Steeplechase od Monday. In the light of recent events, Bombardier is likely to prove the best of our local horses in this race. I will not accept St. Kilda, as I do not think he has done sufficient schooling for much confidence to be placed in him. Hopgarden is rather a mysterious quantity. He has been backed extensively in doubles, but doubts are freely expressed as to his staying ability. A fair horse, with a light weight, in a race of this sort has a big pull over the heavier weighted ones, and Hopgarden is such a one likely to trouble the best of them. Up to a mile and a half he is certain to be in it, and should it turn out that the extra half mile is not beyond him, then I think he will about win. Anghadowey should beat all the 9st. division. His second day's run at the Shore was disgustingly bad, but a mishap during the race furnishes the reason. He and Bombardier are the only two of the local horses which I care for. Tally-ho must not be forgotten altogether; this one is a fair performer, and likely to go all the way. Outside of four I cannot see very strong chance of a turn-up, after allowing for certain probable non-starters. These four are Dante, Donald McKinnon, Bombardier, and Hopgarden, to which last I would bracket Aughadowey as the best of the outsiders. Of these I have most fancy for Dante and Donald McKinnon.

The Great Northern Steeplechase is the chief item of interest for Monday. This race takes a deal of summing up, there are so many in it with good chances. All the horses frcni the South have been doing good work and look in the best of trim. We know Donald McKinnon and Bombardier to be well, fo that there are some ten horses engaged any of which is a possible winner. My own opinion is that the winner will be found to be among9t the first six. These are Liberator, Mutiny, Tiritea, Donald McKinnon, Bombiardier and Barnado. Mutiny and Tiritea are in one stable. The money market points to Tiritea being the eelected, but I am not sure

that this will prove correct. However, whichever it may be, that horse should be good following. Liberator may not be quite the horse he was when he won the double last year, and although he won very easily at Dunedin, the other day, it was one of the poorest fielda he has perhaps ever met. Donald McKinnon is now amongst the first flight, and rightly so, and his performances in the past are such as to cause it a matter of surprise if he does not go near winning the Great Northern this year. He is so well,, and I think at just about his best. Next to him I like Barnado. So far, hurdling has been his great forte. He is just the sort of horse to do great things over country. He has already shown proficiency over big fences, has a handy weight, and is evidently fit and well for a task like Monday's. I therefore place him first, and think Donald McKinnon will prove next best. About the minor events I can have little to say, as acceptances do not go in till after these notes go to press. The Maiden Steeplechase should be won by Barnado. Hard Times and Ditto have fair chances. If the top-weight was withdrawn I would take one of these two to win. The Maiden Hurdles looks a very open race Anything might win. Chris will probably be warm, and if backed by the stable, backers will use good sense in following. Hopgarden will not start I should think. For the Welter I like St. Regei, Lord of Misrule, and Doris in order. The Pony Hurdles has but few entries. Romp or Libeller should win.