TURF TATTLE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 20, 13 December 1890, Page 4

TURF TATTLE.

[By Nordenfeldt.]

The weights for the Auckland Cup and Steeplechase made their appearance on Friday—too late for me to review them in last week’s paper. In the Cup, Mr. Evitt has started with .Tirailleur—as of course he should do—but with 9st. 111 b. I consider him slaughtered. Dudu (Bst. 131 b.) will have a show if Cutts decides upon bringing her up, but I question whether she. is f a real stayer. Hilda is more to my liking with Bst. 101 b., and certainly reads about as well as anything in the race. As Hilda is trained in private, I am in the dark concerning her con- •r. dition, but if. in the form she was last Autumn, then I don’t think any of the locally-owned nags will be capable of striking her colours. In ; Cissy (Bst. 61b.) Mr. Morrin has an excellent second string, and whichever he elects to carry ..... the “ black and amber stripes” on the day will be 1 ■ pretty certain to start first favourite. Cissy ran like a stayer in the Spring, and proved herself to be in great form. Wolverine (Bst. 41b.) i may come up, but I do not fancy his chance 7 for this race, as he meets Dudu, who finished second to him in the New Zealand Cup, on 171bs. worse terms, and Strephon, who finished ' third in the same race, on 61bs. worse terms., A Of the three I prefer Dudu for our Cup. . Crackshot (Bst. 31b.) has been well taken care * of, but a good three-year-old will, always , require a lot of tying up with anything under Bst. 71b. If Medallion comes this way, then I A think we can label him the most dangerous colt in the race. He was one of the favourites for;.the New Zealand Cup all through the winter,' ; and he now has to meet all the horses that ran prominently in that race on much better terms. It is reported that he will not come from Christchurch, but, if he does, then I prefer his chance to that of any other horse engaged. Strephon (7st. 101 b.), as I pointed out above, is held safe by Dudu. I notice he has been freely nominated down Napier wayin small handicaps, so perhaps he will not put in an appearance here. Whisper (7st. 91b.) would be better suited over sprint courses, a remark which applies equally to Cynisca (7st. 71b.). Si. Andrew (7st. 61b.) I do not care for, although he has nothing to complain of on the score of weight. Jet D’Eau (7st. 51b.) is not likely to put in an appearance, but Leolantis (7st. 41b.) will probably be a starter. I don’t like him, neither do I care for Antelope at the same weight. Patchwork (7st. 31b.) reads much . better. This horse , showed some good form 4 once or twice last season, especially when he c won the double at Egmont. In the Waimate Handicap he carved out the mile and threequarters in 3 min. 8 l-sth secs. Not at all a bad go when it is remembered that he carried j Bst. 61b. The horse is doing good work and may effect a surprise. Of the other twenty-one horses engaged, the only ones likely to accept are St. Malo, Reprisal, Leorina, The Dreamer, Belmont, and Cartridge. I don’t think danger need be apprehended from Reprisal (6st. 111 b.), but Leorina with 6st. 101 b. has an outside chance. She is an in-and-out mare, however, and no reliance can be placed upon her. Those who remember how she carried 7st. in the Easter Handicap last Autumn twelve months, and went to the front and remained there, getting over the mile and three-quarters in the fast time of 3min. ssecs., will probably not desert her now. But she has never been able to put up such another performance, and I think she will be a bit outclassed in this company. The Dreamer

\6st. 71b.) is a much improved colt since he ran here in the Spring, and with such a handy impost must be dangerous. T. Hodson will probably ride him, and be is a vigorous and clever jockey. This will be all in the colt’s favour. Belmont (6st. 31b.) and Cartridge (6st.) I have no liking for. To sum up at this early stage, I like best the chances of Medallion, should his owner decide on sending him up. In his absence commend me to Mr. Morrin’s selected, Crackshot, Dudu, Patchwork, Leorina and The Dreamer. Next week when the acceptances are before me, I will reduce these num hers to two or three. £Since the above was written Cruchfield, Wolverine, and Wayland have been scratched, and advice has come to hand that Medallion, Crackshot, St. Malo, Bay King, and Dudu are to be brought up.J

The Steeplechase is headed by Orlando (12st. 51b.), and with that impost the game little son The Painter cannot be considered out of it. He carried 12st. at Ellerslie in the Spring Steeplechase, and with 12 st. 121 b. at Takapuna ho fairly ran all his opponents off their legs. Whatever beats Orlando on the second of January will just about win. Jenny (1 2st. 41b.), taking aline through the top-weight, could not have been let off with much less, but I doubt the mare’s capability of carrying so much weight successfully. She has such a rare turn of pace, however, that she wiU. be very handy at the finish if her owner decides to start her. Sir Garnet (list. 91b.) does not deserve to be placed above such a performer as Uranus ( 1Ist. 71b.), and of the pair I certainly prefer the latter. He has shown his ability to get over our course, too, which is something to be considered. Silvio (list.), if the Silvio of old, wotdd quickly be made first favourite, but I fear he is a light of other days. On his Takapnna.' running Orlando holds him as safe as if he were in his grave. Darnley (1 Ost. 81b.) would have won our Steeplechase last Autumn if he had not fallen on the last round, but Mr. Gollan owns the horse now, and he has entered him for several events nearer home, so that the horse is an unlikely starter. If he comes, then he must be reckoned with. Deanother Napier-owned nag, and 1 ah unlikely visitor. Asper (lOst. 31b.) is one of the best handicapped horses in the race, and I quite expect his owner will send him up. He won three Steeplechases last season, so that he is no novice at the game. Hune (lOst. 21b.) is lield safe oh paper by Orlando, and Hopeful Kate (lOst.) has yet to show her ability to negotiate big obstacles. This concludes the lOst. division. Five horses are handicapped at 9st. 81b., and the remaining dozen have the minimum, 9st. 71b., to carry. Most of this lot are unknown to me, and I can only deal now with those I know. Sentinel is improving, and with only 9st. 81b. to carry must be very dangerous. The same remark applies to Parnell (9st. 81b.). Takapau (9st. 71b.) is another front which danger must be anticipated, and if Te Kooti (9st. 71b.) can jump, he must be there or thereabouts when the whips are out. To make an early selection, I prefer the chances of Orlaifdo, Uranus, Asper, and Sentinel, but when the acceptances are before me, I will reduce these to a couple.

The Avondale Jockey Club will hold their Spring meeting this afternoon, and everything promises well for a good afternoon’s sport. Proceedings will commence with the Handicap Maiden Plate, i mile.

This appears to be a very open race,, although there are only five horses engaged. Backers can well afford to leave it alone, but if compelled to make a selection I should name Winifred. Handicap Hurdle Race, if miles.

Probably a couple of- these will drop out at the post. Sentinel is on the improve, and whatever can beat him will win. Hailstone has a good chance on his North Shore running, and Fishmonger, who finished second to him,

meets the roan horse on i jibs better terms. Titoki hails from Whangarei, and distinguished himself last season by running second to Guy Fawkes in the Whangarei Hurdle Race and Steeplechase. Ingar Ido not know. I shall tip Sentinel or Hailstone. Avondale Cup. i| miles.

My opinion is that Antelope could win if properly ridden. If Tommy Taylor rides her this afternoon I believe she will win, but if not, then I should advise backers to leave her alone. Of course an owner has a perfect right to give the mount to who he likes, so long as he is satisfied. Vendetta holds Priscilla safe, but Cartridge should be able to beat everything except the top weight. As I said above, if Taylor rides Antelope, I select her and nothing else, but if not, my tip shall be Cartridge. Owing to the uncertainty that exists I cannot now divide them, and therefore select Antelope or Cartridge. Selling Race. 7 furlongs.

On his Takapuna running, this race should be a good thing for Octopus. Flying Stakes. 5 furlongs.

Capella has lolbs more to carry than she won with at Otahuhu and Takapuna. Over this distance she shouldn’t feel it. I can only see one horse in the race that is likely to bring about the little mare s defeat, and that is Cambria. If thoroughly well, he may beat her. I shall tip Capella or Cambria. Handicap Steeplechase. About 3 miles.

Hurricane and Silvio I don’t fancy. Hune has 2 lbs less, and Fishmonger the same weight, that they carried at Takapuna. If Fishmonger jumps kindly I think he will finish in front of Hune, who has a bad knee just now. The latter, however, will be a fresh mare, while Fishmonger will probably have had a race out of him in the Hurdle Race. Sentinel will, I expect, beat the pair, and of the other five perhaps Larrikin is the best. I hardly know how to separate Hune and Fishmonger, but I shall give my vote to Hune, expecting it to be a good race between the two for second place behind Sentinel.

Here, again, a good deal depends upon horsemanship. If properly ridden Antelope ought to win. Of the others Cartridge and Cambria are the best. A good line as to the latter’s chance should be obtained in the Flying Stakes. However, I shall rely upon Antelope.

Various remarks have been made respecting the manner in which Mr. D. S. Wallace after Carbine’s victory dispensed, or rather failed to dispense, his favours with the boys in W. Hickenbothom’s stable. It has been insinuated that they’ received nothing, but W. Hickenbothom has written to me to remove this impression. He.states that the boy who looked after Carbine received a from Mr. Wallace, who also gave /50 to be distributed among the other boys. Hickenbothom himself received his percentage on the stakes won at the meeting, and this brought his share up to over Unfortunately, of the 1000 to 40 he took about Carbine he laid but he is satisfied, and considers other people ought to be— {Augur, Australasian}.

st lb st lb Ma Boughal ... .. 8 7 Regel .... 7 12 - Winifred. • • 8 S Premier .... 7 7 Coal Scuttle .... .. 8 o

Sentinel st lb .... io 8 Carronade .... st lb ... 9 io Hailstone ..... ... IQ 3 Titoki ... 9 7 Fishmonger ... ... io o Ingar .. ... 9 7 Larrikin ... io o Moderator ..'. ... 9 o

st lb st lb Antelope .... 9 4 Vendetta .... 7 o Cartridge .... 7 2 Warrior .... 6 IO Ingorina .... 7 0 Priscilla .... 6 9

Moderator st .... io lb I Iron Bark .... st .... 8 lb i Octopus .... 9 8 Temukie .... 7 i Flint .... 8 2 Johnnie • •. • 7 i

st lb . st lb Capella .... 9 o Prudence ... 7 o Tngorina .... 7 IO Master Pat ... 6 IO Cambria 5 Premier . .. 6 IO Locket .... 7 4 Hailstone 6 7 Blarney .... 7 o Flint ... 6 7

Hurricane st lb ...ii 7 Titoki st lb ... 9 io ... ii o Larrikin ...... ... 9 7 ... io IO Huntsman .... ... 9 7 Sentinel ... io 6 Moderator .... ... 9 7 Fishmonger ... ... io o Neli ... 9 7

Stewards’ Handicap. 7 furlongs. st lb st lb Antelope 9 Cartridge 7 Ingorina 7 8 4 0 Priscilla Cambria Warrior 7 6 6 0 12 7