THE TURF.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 8, 20 September 1890, Page 2

THE TURF.

[by old turfite.]

The accounts to hand of the racing of the Australian Jockey Club at Randwick are at present very meagre. The defeat of Titan, for whom the extraordinary long price (for a gelding) of 4,600 guineas was given at the late Hon. James White’s sale, was a sore blow to his backers, as they thought the two Derbies were at his mercy. My readers will remember that I have never been a believer in Titan for this reason —that geldings which have proved themselves brilliant two-year-olds seldom retain their form at three, though they may regain it when they get older. Some-weeks ago I said that in Gatling he had a most dangerous opponent. Last Saturday, from information I had received, I wrote that Gibraltar would certainly beat Titan in the A.J.C. Derby. The race resulted in the defeat of Titan, he being fourth, and was won by Gibraltar, Gatling second, and Whimberel third, he being a neck from the second, who was beaten only by a head. The running of Whimberel rather surprised me, as, though I knew he was a good

colt, I did not think that this would be his “ outing.” His form in the Derby has proved him to be better than was expected, as he evidently cut but the work for Gibraltar, and when his jockey found that Gatling was coming he tried to win himself. If the race had been run differently he would, in all probability, have won, and upset all calculations. It will, therefore, be interesting to watch the future progress of these three, as they will be sure (if all goes well) to meet in the V.R.C. Derby. This event this year is of great interest, as from all accounts there are some other good three-year-olds engaged. In the bpring Stakes Carbine defeated Melos as I expected, Gresford being the only three-year-old that could get near the pair, running a dead heat with Sir William for third place. Gresford is engaged, in the Melbourne Cup with yst. Gibraltar was one of the 6st. jib. division, but his weight, now is raised to jst. 61b. After his performance it would not be surprising if the winner of the Melbourne Cup turned up among the light division. The Epsom Handicap produced the large field I expected, and resulted in an easy win for the favourite Bungebah, who had been well tried at home with some .firstrate tackle. His previous running did not point to him as likely to be returned the winner, thus again proving the folly of backing horses at a distance for a handicap of this description.

The second day’s racing of the A. J. C. at Randwick was, with the exception of the Metropolitan Stakes, of little interest to my readers, as it deos not throw any light on forthcoming events. In my remarks last week on the Metropolitan Stake’s I.said, “Marvel I did not expect to see left in as he has been talked about in connection with the Melbourne Cup, if this should be his journey he will take a great deal of beating (he did not start). The Queen is greatly fancied by some of the knowing ones. Frisco and Little Bernie are also talked about. Megaphone from his running at Hawkesbury is made the favourite, but he will find the distance a little too far for him (he was scratched, but came out later in the day and won the Squatter’s Handicap, a mile and a quarter, with Bst. 121 b. up, beating a field of nineteen, thus confirming my opinion that he cannot stay). I fancy one of the older horses, The Queen, Marvel or Frisco.” The race resulted in a win for Little Bernie, Papua being second and The Queen third, with Frisco close up. This shows that it is easy to point out those that are not likely to win but it is very difficult to pick the winner at such a distance away and when you have to rely on your correspondents. At the time of writing my article Little Bernie had done nothing this season to justify one in thinking that he had a chance for the race until the first day of the meeting when he won the Trial Stakes easilywith Bst. 81b. on his back from a field of thirteen horses. This running naturally gave him a great show for the Metropolitan with only 6st. nib. on his back. If mine had been a daily paper I should- certainly have taken him as one of my trio, possibly in the place of Marvel. Papua who was second was a regular outsider. He has been going to pull off a good thing for some years, but he has never done so,. and after this exposure most likely never will. As long as my readers will back horses on the other side I must do what I can for them by giving them the best information obtainable, but I strongly recommend them to lay against a favourite if I say he has no chance, than to back a horse I may select. The only other race that calls for any attention is the Australian Jockey Club Oaks, in’which Prelude just managed to get home in front of Emmie and Wilga. This running greatly discounts Jaer previous performances- Little Bernie’s weight for the Melbourne Cup is now jst; 81b. and The Queen’s Bst. ; she is therefore meeting him on 171bs. better terms, which should put his chance out.

The third , day’s racing at Randwick is of the most interesting character, as it throws considerable light on future events. The first to call one’s attention is the Craven Plate, w.f.a., one and quarter miles. For this event only four started, Carbine winning by a length after a desperate struggle with Megaphone, Cuirassier being beaten by twenty lengths. This is a great performance of Megaphone, as he was ;only receiving one stone seven pounds for the two years. Last week I mentioned that the face

looked a good thing for Carbine, though one of the three-year-olds might beat him. The Second Foal Stakes proved what a good horse Gibraltar is, as he gave Gatling ylb. and after running a dead heat beat him a length. It will take a real good three-year-old to beat Gibraltar in future engagements, if he has not been thoroughly wound up for this meeting. It also shows how even a clever handicapper may be deceived, as Mr. Barnard let him in the Melbourne Cup with only 6st. 71b., and there is another in the same division that requires watching. Whimberel won the Wycombe Stakes, beating Master Grand, Tantallon and seven others, but until full particulars are to hand we cannot judge of the performance. The Sydney Handicap, won by Little Bernie, Bst. 21b., Claremont 6st. 21b. second, Papua 6st. rolb. running third, shows what a good thing the stable had in the Metropolitan and how well it was kept, as none of the sporting writers had any fancy for him. Little Bernie is engaged in the Caulfield Cup with 7St. 81b., but at present it is no certainty for him. The Randwick Plate, 3 miles, to be run to-day, has twenty entries. The principal ones are Carbine, Melos, Gatling, Gibraltar, Gresford, and Whimberel. I think, it doubtful if either Gibraltar or Gatling will run after the gruelling they got in the Second Foal Stakes. Gresford and Whimberel are the only other three-year-olds that are worthy of respect, and I expect to see the finish fought put between Carbine and Melos. It is hard to choose between these two over this distance of ground, as in the Champion Stakes Melos won, and in the A.J .C. Plate Carbine. However, I will stick to my last week’s fancy, Melos. Next week it is my intention to review the Caulfield Cup and give a few notes on V.R.C. Derby and the Melbourne Cup.