CAP and jJACKET.

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1022, 30 July 1898, Page 19

CAP and jJACKET.

By 'Boz.'

RAGING FIXTURES. 1898 Aug. 11 & 13— N.Z. Grand National, Christ- { church C.J.G. G.N. STEEPLECHASE AND 1 HURDLES. : Acceptances for the big winter double of the Cantab 3 were disclosed to us early this week. Both in numbers and in quality < the acceptance list for each, event — G.N, > Steeplechase and G.N. Hurdles— is cmi- i nently satisfactory, and I shonld say the I C.J.O. and all Southern turfites are looking ' forward with great anticipation to a highly successful meeting, which we in the North ardently wish them. Our interests are rather closely attached to the running of these events, for though poorly represented this year, as compared with the» past, we have followed very closely all tho cross-country eventß of the closing Beason ; and we also have still fresh in oar minds the excellent performances at Ellerslie ia June last of Borne of the competitors which figure in the Ghristcharch lists. The fields for the two events mentioned above are very large, but we may expect, when the next, and final, payment becomes due (on August Bth), to find some of these forfeiting their engagements, thongh the more prominent horses are bound to remain in, providing they keep free from accident. In regard to speculation on these events, considerable business appears to have been done in Christchurch, both prior and subsequent to the issuing of the weights. Speculation in Auckland iB but a reflex of the lines done in Christchurch, on a minor scale of operation. The leading lines in doubles throughout have been the* two Plain Bills, Pl:»in Bill and Opai, Dummy and Muscatel, coupled with Missfire, Opai, Social Pest, and Toriki ; and Rhino coupled with the same horßes. The latest lines have been Rhino and Opai, Dummy and Muscatel, Claymore and Social Pest, and the two Plain Bills. I mention these lines to show t&at although the lists are large, there is no very wide range in point of favour, that the general fancy is confined to a few of the best horses. I have not changed my own opinion, as expressed in previous issues, as to what I consider most likely to triumph, but with the fields lessened, one's views require to be narrowed also. The only horse of those I mentioned last week as likely, to fall out is, I think, Dante. Whatever reaaonß his owner may have had lor withdrawing him, I don't think it could have been on account of the weight. • The presence of both Dummy and Muscatel in the Steeplechase makes it difficult for outsiders to jndge which is likely to receive the confidence of the stable. Their merits on form and their several weights .seem about equal, and whilst I find it difficult to split, I think one or other of the pair should about " win. Nor'west and Magpie, two Auckland representatives, have what seem not indifferent chances. Plain Bill, Rhino, Dummy, and Muscatel are, however, a quartette I shall stick to. For the Hurdles, I think the stable choice (Opai or Torika), Dummy, Unsslopogaas, and Nor'west are best. To make a straight-out selection, if favoured by the Btable, I would go for Toriki.

Mr Skipworth intends making Gisborne his home for the future. He takes St. Simon with him. Dummy is a strong favourite amongst doable bettors for the Grand National Steeplechase. Southerners report that Umslopagaas is in good trim, jumping well, and likely to ran a good race in the Grand National. A Wellington writer says that an opinion is prevalent there that Muscatel's running at the Hate was not her true form, and that her treatment in the Grand National Steeplechase is very lenient. Will Kex stay out a fast-run mile race like an Epsom Handicap? I overheard an expressed opinion in the affirmative, the other day, by one of our best judges of the knotty problems of horse racing; and no one wants better than that,

Mr Gollan has purchased Pokomoko. St. Clements has gone to the Wai - kato, Mr J. Gall having purchased him. Epaulet has been backed by his connections for the New Zealand Gap. Mr G. G-. Stead's turf winnings for the past four years are computed at £19,743 13s. The Auckland N.Z. Gup candidate, Nestor, St. Paul and Explosion, continue to do steady work at Ellerslie. Little has been heard of Levanter since he left oar shores for Australia, and Auckland is beginning to wonder what has become of him. The Australian Jockey Club has given notice of a decision to refuse licensee to bookmakers practising their vocation at unregistered meetings. i Gipsy Grand's owners have put the price of £2000 on the Grandmaster horse. It is said negotiations are taking place in England for his purchase there. Christchurch Heferee says that it was evident that more than one competitor at the Wellington Racing Club's Winter Meeting was simply out for the especial benefit of the handicapper of events to come. The Auckland Trotting Club's dates for the coming season's fixtures have been decided on as follows : Spring, Oct. 14th and 19th; Summer, December 24, 27 and 31st ; Autnmn, April Ist and sth. Trainers at Ellerslio will be livening up almost directly, with a view of getting their teams in order for the fast approaching spring campaign. Avondale will have the opening honour e, with a meeting in September. In the statistics for the season, Mr Stead heads the list of winning owner, Multiform that of winning horses, and St Leger that of winning sires. These three positions are similarly held in the racing statistics of last season. Muscatel raced badly in the Wellington Steeplechase. She would not run willingly, hanging back, and jumping badly. Those behind her supported her handsomely, and they and the public sent her out a hot favourite, but those who saw the race seem to think that had Muscatel ran ever so kindly the actual result would have been the same, and Nor'weat still the winner. ' ' I think it was the same cheery cleric to whom a conscience-stricken parishioner came one day and innocently asked if he thought it was sinfnl to win money on horse races. It so happened that the good Father had dropped a little in that line a few days before, and so, with a sly smile he quickly said : " I do not think it is sinful, my friend, but I fancy it is merely impossible." ' — Bondi'a Budget in Sydney Beferee. In Victoria Wayfarer is favourite for both Gaulfield and Melbourne Gups, for the former at 100's to 10, and for the latter at 100's to 6. The reason of Wayfarer's sudden rise into such Btrong favour for these events is his ridiculously easy victory in the July Handicap at Flemington, during the G.N. Meeting. Wayfarer is by Pilgrim's Progress, a sire whose progeny were well to the fore at the V.B.G. Grand National Meeting. There has not been a great deal of life in New Zealand Cup speculation since I last wrote, and there is nothing of moment to report. Starshot and St. Paul continue the local favourities. Word is much fancied there, he being concomes from Napier that Tirant d'Eau sidered one of the best handicapped horses of that district. The first payments for the race are due to-morrow (Friday) week, sth inst., which, no doubt, will, when dociared, give a stimulus to the Cup speculation. It has been pointed to, by way of comparison, that the' amount of the Stakes given by the Takapima Jockey Club average less than that of other clubs doing a nearly similar turnover in the way of totalisator receipts ; but it mast be remembered, that the T.J.C. have spent, and are still expending, large Bums in necessary improvements to . the Shore racecourse, which, when quite perfected will be one of the most enjoyable and convenient racing rendezvous in the colony ; and the increased support to which this will tend will allow the Club to materially increase its annual stake outlay.

Those who saw Nor'west win at Wellington give him a good chance at Christchurch, to which place he has already been taken. Nor'west is a bold, free jumper, albeit a doubtful good stayer. He is now higher up in the weights, bat not over-weighted, if one may judge of his possible ability to carry a fairish burden. Whilst there are one or two horses engaged in the Grand National Steeplechase, whose chanceß I cannot help liking more than Nor'west's, I still think be may prove a dangerous one.

Swordfish continues to do well at Papakura. St. Kilda was to have been shipped South on Tuesday of this week. In Australia during this season 95 races were won by horses aired by Lochiel. The Avondale Jockey Club will open the new seaßon at Avondale in September next. The Avondale Jockey Club have decided. on Sept. 17th and 21st as the dates of their Spring meeting. It is expected St. Eilda will be taken to Christchurch to compete in the welters at the Grand National Meeting. D. Morrigan, who broke his collarbone at the Hawke's B*y Winter Meeting, is rapidly becoming convalescent, and will be able to start work again very soon. The history of La Marquise, winner of the Maiden Hack Race at Wellington, is interesting. She was got by Fisca torions from Brookfield's dam, Mr McCara being the breeder. He sold her at auction for £10. Subsequently, her present owner, a Masterton photographer, purchased her for £20, about ten daya prior to the Wellingtoa meeting. He put £15 on her at Wellington, and getting as he did a £23 dividend, he won, including the Btake, nearly £400. The sum of .£246,000 passed through the ' mutuils ' on the day of the ruuning of the Grand Prix de Paris ; £80,000 of which amount was the business of the race mentioned In New Zeaiand, the total investments for the past season, amounted to £772,321. The volume of one's day's business in Paris can be better estimated when it is found to nearly approach one third of the total volume of one racing year in this colony. Floater's performance in the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase is on all hands voted a good one. Heavy going, a big weight, & double handicap, against which he battled successfully. Floater cost his present owner £100. It was con sidered by some an impossibility to train him on account of a> ' dickey ' leg which had been seriously obstinate. But this was patched up, and soft going being vouchsafed to suit, Floater's name now appears as the victorious Grand National winner.