Anticipations by "Pakeha."

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 8988, 21 October 1896, Page 2

Anticipations by "Pakeha."

It teams but the other day that we saw Ngatuete upiofc the good thing (QuUtiti) in. the Derby, yet twelve month* have elapsed. Since then various ohanges have taken place— punters have won and lost money, and yet they bob up serenely meeting after meeting to put their bit on their different fancies in tho ovents to be deoided, and tomorrow, no doubt, the " noble army " will roll up in large number* to either recoup late lottos or else add thereto. Bat I am digressing, and most oome to the buaioets part of tho performance, t.«., trying to anticipate the judge's verdicts in the eeveral events on the programme. Before touching on that, I mult, however, congratulate the Club on the excellent acceptances received —the oniv exception to which ii the miserable field for the Derby [ and although there is one more than last year for the Blue Riband, it must be admitted that the number of horses (three) engaged are far from being anything like what such a race deserves, the prize money being good tnd the conditions favourable. When the weights first made their, appearance there wai the usual amount of grumbling— some of which, all will admit, was quite justified — and 'lie pessimistic portion of the iporting community predioted that tho meeting would be a rank failure. However, m the acceptances are a true gauge of owners' feelings sn the subject, it is evident that Mr Britt has scored a point on this occasion, for the fields will compare favourably with those of the last Spring Meeting. The course looks beautiful, and the genial caretakar, Jerry O'Learv, bai spared no p&im to see that it is dressed " in a suit of its best." The only thing now required to make the meeting one of the most snooesiful yet held at this tine of the season ii fine weather, and if the element! arcs favourable I expeot to see a resord attendance on our pretty racecourse to-morroir. The racing commences with the Spring Handicap, for jrhioh nine have cried content. Lotion 9it 31b, heads tho list, and the consiitent son of Sou-'weiter has to be reokoned with all his impost; if he wins he inours a 81b penrirv for the Sew Zealand Cup. Billy Holme's pair— Ngatuere Bat 71b and Lorelei Bjt 61b— oome atit, and no doubt will oome in for a large amount of support on the n»ohine ; by the way, it was atl our last Spring gathering that Holmes scooped the pool, bat ho has not had a great deal of luok since, but as his oharges are well treated I expeot to s«e the selected of the two run into a place. Man-o'-war, 7st 121 b, I o'oneider the piqk of the bunoh as far as weight is concerned. The Mirer 7«t 101 b, Crimson Streak 7st 51b, Slaiden 7st 41b, Hotspur 7at, and Bloomsbury 6st 71b make up the field and without further disoussioa I will place them thus Man-o'-War „ 1 Holmes' selected 2 Lotion or The Miser S The Trial flaok Bace has the good field of 18, some of whom will no doubt 'drop out. Space will not permit of my entering into details, so I will anticipate the judge'i verdict by plooing them as follows— Disraeli 1 Fintßeiult 2 Novelty or Splinter ... ...3 The Wanganui Derby, as already stated, it only favored with the small field of three. On refloat running St. Paul seeme to have the best of it, and although I think he will win I should not be surprised to tee his colors lowered to Defiance. Cesar do Lion is yet a maiden, but nevertheless is the makings of a good colt. On form, however, 1 must place them thus— St. Paul 1 Defiance , ... 2 Caar do Lion 8 The First Hurdles contain ten who have oriod content, but as my space is limited I must pirforoa deal with the candidates as tersely as poisible. Kapua list 61b ii top weight, and his recent victory at Napier shows that he is returning to his old fores. Rangipai lOit 9ib ihoald b» held safe by Tally-ho with a pound less, but nevertheless the first namtd should run well forward. Of Frank and Tuhiwai lOat I prefer the latter, while Qienelg 9*fc 81b I fancy is capable of giving St. Simon lib. Swift 9st 61b, Docility 9it3lb, and Conspiracy 9it are the remainder. I will record my vote in favor of Tally-ho 1 Eapua , ... „, 2 Docility , ' .., „. 8 with Swift for an upset. The Haok Hurdles have drawn forth nine acceptances, and without entering into the merits of the various contestants I will give my vote to GKpiy Piince ... 1 Satellite 2 ■ Clayton ... ... ... 3 The Handicap Haok, 1 mile and a distance, has elicited 11 acceptors, and no doubt tho previous haok flat event will throw a little light on tha subjoot. lam ditposed to favor the chances of Indian Shot ... ... ... 1 Mystical 2 Mutual or Light ... ... 3 The day's sport concludes with the Flying Handicap, which has an aaoeptanae of an octare, and I don't think I will be far out in plooing thorn this way Sedeebrook , „. 1 Errand Boy 2 TTmsbpogass 3 Novelty was scratched at 1.6 to-day for all engagements at the above meeting.