CUP DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10300, 3 November 1911, Page 3

CUP DAY.

THE PROS AND CON'S

FROM A RACING POINT OF VIEW

(Bv Prospector.)

ft sconis hard to credit that twelve months have elapsed since the last Carnival Week; since Bridge established his brilliant time record in the New Zealand Cup —a record which is down on the books and which must stand, because the official timekeeper, the only man who counts in tlm instance, says lie did it, but which, when the subject is broached, cause. 1 ' a. smilo of derision to play on tlm features of many competent watch-holders who also timed tno race. Other incidents associated with the same .meeting come back to mind as vividly as if they had happened only a few days ago, but the fact remains that they are twelvemonths old events and that to-mor-row will witness the opening of another of the Canterbury Jockey Club's spring carnivals at Ricearton. Tho conditions which have prevailed during tho last few months have not been all that tho trainers would have desired if they had had. the ordering, but they have not left room for serious complaint even by tho most confirmed pessimists. A few of tho showers which liavo fallen during the last week or two might have been dispensed with, so far us the favourite ploughed track was concerned, but though many trainers have been ill-pleased at having to f;urn to other tracks, thoro has been no lack of good working ground at any time. The lawns and gardens, on the other hand, have been greatly benefited. by the frequent falls of rain and I doubt if tho general surroundings of tho course ever presented such an attractive appearance as they do at present.

Altogether I am disposed to take an optimistic view of the position,'and I am firmly of opinion that we are in for a record meeting. There is an unusually large number of horses on the scone and I am prepared to find tho fields maintained at a very high level throughout the four days. With fifteen horses still holding their ground in tho New Zealand Cup, tho two-mile race promises to provide a very interesting contest. J have frequently heard tho comment that in tho matter of quality they arc a poor lot, but this is a er.y that we hear ever3 r year. I admit tho field appears to suffer by comparison with those of some years that could bo quoted, but it can quite hold its own with those of other recent years. In this connect ion it is worth reviewing briefly the claims of tho fifteen horses engaged to be regarded as stayers, and from this point of view it will bo found that the field is not such a bad one after all. Los Angelos won last sea-son at a mile and a half and later, in the Great Autumn Handicap, registered a fine performance over the same distance. It cannot bo forgotten, however, that lie faded out badly at the business end of the last New Zealand Cup, and though it has been urged, and with much show of reason, that ho is n better horso now, there is tho further fact to be borne in mind that ho would need to be, as he will bo carrying 231b more weight. Horses quite as good as Los Angelos have found tho weight stop them at the end of this race. Merrivonia has a win to her credit at a milo and three-quarters, two at a mile and a a- half, and several at a milo and a quarter. In some respects, therefore, she can bo classed as having the best staying credentials of any tiling in the race, but against this it can bo urged that she has repeatedly failed when pitted against strong fields, her performance in the last Great Autumn Handicap, when she never looked dangerous, being an excellent illustration of the point. Prim's record is good up to a mile and a half. .Last season she won the Metropolitan Handicap and was just beaten in the Great Autumn Handicap, these being two of tlic fastest mile and a half races run in the dominion during the season._ She lias got through a solid preparation and is ono of the solid kind that seems certain to be dangerous. Iranui has quite a list of successes over a mile and a quarter, but her strongest recommendation is probably to bo found in the fact that in tho Lost Wellington Cup she gave Miss Mischief 51b and ran lier to a head in an exceptionally fast race. On that form, assuming that she runs out tlio distance, sho is certain to beat Los Angelos and Merrivonia, both of "whom nho now meets on much bettor terms. Martino has a Canterbury Oaks, one mile and, a half, to her credit, and m all her races has run like a stayer. In tlio earlier stages slio was overshadowed in the public eye by her stable companion, Trim, but the excellenco of her track work of Into has drawn considerable attention to her chance, " which is now regarded highly. My own opinion is that thoro is not much between tho two stable mates. Domino won Jfist sgjison at a milo and a quarter, but only in moderate company. He has done ono or two fair gallops at Riccarton. but nothing to bring lum into special prominence. Vice-Admiral lias tie poorest winning credentials m the whole field, so far as a journey is concerned. As a matter of fact, his only success was at six furlongs, and his only prominent effort over a distanco a second over a mile and a quarter. This season he showed out for a, time in the Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick, but lie lias still his name to make as a good horso over a distanco. Miscount, the solo hope of tho three-year-olds, wa,s a consistent performer last season, and narrowly missed earning the reputation of a high-class colt. Ho has run three good races this season, and he Ims accomplished some good performances on the track lately, the result being that ho is now a staunch favourite, with every prospect of holding his place to the finish. Up to a mile and a quarter he, can be given a certificate, but further than that he has to be taken on trust. I have a great liking for three-year-olds for tlio New Zealand Cup, but I am not convinced yet that Miscount is capable of eooing two miles out. Goodwin Park first came into prominence by finishing second to Merrivonia in tlio last Wanganui Cup, and this season he lias won two races, with Cup honses behind him each time. On looks ho is a commoner, but ho is a useful galloper. All the same, unless he has improved a lot, Merrivonia should beat him again, as she now meets him on 111b better terms than in the Wanganui Cup. Mulga Bill has won at a mile and a quarter, Goodwin Park and Kauroa being behind him on that occasion, but his prospects over tho longer .journey are unknown. Kilosteri's V/iming record goes to a mile and a distance. Ho has, however, shaped in soveral races as if he would stay all right, and his admirers, who are very sweet on his chance, are confident he will run the journey right out. They pass over his poor gallop of Thursday, claiming that lie, is a very bad track horse. Projectile won a mile race this season in good style, but is an unknown quantity over two in good company. Outlander should stay a'l right, having winning form up to a milo and a half. His recent iorm suggests that ho may be better now than for some time. Cronstadt, a winner up to a milo and a half, has been an unlucky horse, but on some of iiis form is a good one, though lie is not much in favour. Kauroa lias had experience as a steeplechaser, but on the flat has won at a mile and a distance, while last season he ran second in the Feilding Cup, one mile and a half. lie had Goodwin Park behind him at practically even weights, which would give him a chance, but his track work has been bad since he has been at Riccarlon. Summed up, it seems to me; that nothing stands out, and outside ol' two or thicc of the field I shall not bo surprised whatever wins. 'J'he Stewards' Handicap, with a field of thirty-two engaged, should be another great race, alanv of the candidates have had their chances freely urged, and the issue seems very open. Eyuitav. has been favourite for muiq

time, but is not so firm now, possibly because backers arc not disposed to take the short price. She lias 151b more than when she won last year, and though even that nui.y not stop her, I fancy she will find herself very busy to keep clear of sonic of her rivals. Madam Madcap has been doing great work, and she has come into such iavour during the last few days that it will be no surprise to find her wind up favourite. She will finish all right, but she may not jump out as smartly as some of the others, and in a, big field this will cAmt against, her. Undecided is another that is being freely talked about,, and on his August form he can be classed as a good one. Nyland, who is also in favour, is generally regarded as tho pick of the handicap, and his track work suggests that lie/will run well. A similar remark applies to Dazzling, a, mare with some useful form, to her credit;. There are plenty of other smart sprinters in the field, and altogether tho race is likely to present a great puzzle to backers. The new six-furlong track will be used lor the first time in this event. Spectators will not like it, as they wili not see much of the contest, .It should, however, bo better for tho horses, though there may be trouble at tho entrance to the course proper. lam just afraid that in a big field, we mav have an accident, unless the gap is fenced. The two-year-old racing should be exceptionally good. The Welcome Stakes field -will be strong, and will include several youngsters witli form to their credit. Ermongardo will have a penalty, but this fine filly should carry it well, though in past- years tho extra weight has barred the way to success in the cases of Provocation, Formby and J'eirene. Hawke's 15ay can claim two that have already won". Glade and Beldame, both of whom carl muster up some pace. Canute and Bon Ton, trained privately at Yaldhurst, have created favourable impressions on recent appearances at Ricearton and are credited with being more than useful. Of the Ricearton lot Autumnus has winning form to recommend him, while Winning Way, who was unlucky in her race at Trentham, has been showing brilliant track form during the last week or so. On Monday we will have the Derby, in which fivo stables are represented with eight horses. For somo time past Masterpiece, has been a popular fancy for the raco, and he lias not lost friends among those who have seen his track work. In the same stable is Counterfeit, who is also doing good work and who has the further recommendation that she is a- wonderfully game filly, with winning form this season. That form, in fact, makes her the best of her age that has raced this season. She beat Miscount and Royal Scotch at Wanganui at a mile, and was running on at the end, while at Wellington, though Byron won, he was in receipt of 31b from Miscount, a differonce which probably represented the margin between them at the finish. It looks as if wo would see a good race between Counterfeit, Masterpiece, Miscount ancl Byron, who, on paper, liavo more to recommend them than the other four engaged. As for tho Oaks, apart from Counterfeit they do not rend like a good lot for a mile, and a half.