RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 59, 10 September 1891, Page 3

RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

|_BY

PEGASUS.]

This week I purpose a few “ randoms ” on the Hawkesbury Handicap. Afterwards I shall attempt to place the three first in the A. J.O. Derby. In the Hawkesbury the quality of the cattle taking part may readily be gauged by the fact that Paris headed the list with the light impost of Bst 121 b. As I anticipated he did not accept even with that weight, for, on comparing the weights in the Caulfield Cup which is run oyer the same distance and is a more valuable prize, I find that he had to meet a number of horses in the Hawkesbury on much worse terms than in it. For example in the Caulfield he has 61b less to carry, and meets E.K., Sandy Greaves, Grenadier, Empire and Easy John, on —respectively—7lb, 41b, 81b, 71b and 131 b better terms. Paris ought to be heard of again in the latter race. Splendora, Bst 101 b, dropped out also, and left Retort, Bst 81b, at the top of the tree; but I think he will not be good enough to hold his own against some of the lighter weights. Cardigan I should say is becoming too ancient; he must be losing pace now. Scots Grey and Earnest are nicely handicapped, and I prefer the former. Forbes, weighted at Bst, ran fairly as a six-year-old, two years ago, but must, I think, be beaten by Rover, 7st lOlbs, who is only a poor one also. Nevertheless Forbes cut out a mile last year in Imin 46sec, carrying 9st 71b. Dick, Jack, and Volney, 7st 101 b each, I know nothing of. The same remark will apply to Yanko, 7st 71b. I expect nothing from them. Papua is well in at 7st 81b, as also Vespasia with a like weight, but age and sex must militate greatly against the chances of the latter. I like Palliser with 7st 61b verymuch indeed, if he has been long enough over there to be acclimatised —which is doubtful. E.K.—my remarks on him are much the same as for the Metrop’ in last week’s issue. Sandy Greaves, a five-year-old, at 7st 41b, is “ up to his neck in it ”on the score of weight. Before the acceptances fell due I was uncertain whether (if good enough) he might not wait for the Caulfield. He is, however, scratched for that race, and evidently means business in the event now under review. He is very dangerous. Warrego, 7st 41bs, another five-year-old, ran second to Little Bernie last year in the Randwick Place Handicap, miles, the result of which was Little Bernie, 7st 41b, 1 ; Warrego, 6st 21b, 2; time, 2min 38|sec. From that result Warrego’s chance must not be overlooked. Avenger, I fancy, is out-classed; Dilisk is a good mare, but may have the difficulties of sex to contend with; I am constrained to pass her by. Grenadier, 7st, although almost unknown to fame up to the present, takes my fancy greatly—on the score of weight as well as of breeding, being by Grandmaster —Persephone. He is four-years-old, and as a rule the Grandmaster stock do not mature as early as many others; he is worthy of notice, anyhow. Sunshine is and has been my “ first love ” in this event. After my previous remarks on his running at Rosehill with Highborn, I cannot see what there is in the race to beat him. My opinion is that what beats him must win. The only others on the same mark or below Sunshine in weight that, to my mind, can have a say are Easy John, Yellowstone or Wandsworth. Of these the last named is the most dangerous; the others ought to have been heard of' earlier in life if they had been “ the timber.” Wandsworth has some good performances to his credit. By way of recapulation I shall pick half a dozen to furnish the winner, expecting them to finish in the order given, so many of them as are in the race on the day; viz., Sunshine, Warrego, Grenadier, Wandsworth, Sandy Greaves and Scots Grey. The A. J.O. Derby is decided on the 12th inst. To tip the horse for this race is (to use a footballers phrase) like taking a “pot at goal” from the field. “ From information received, etc.,” together with my own judgment, I expect the result to be—Bengal or Mr. Clark’s selected 1, Oxide 2, Sunshine 3. My next review will be on the Caulfield Cup. How are these “ pots ” for high. Hawkesbury Guineas—Stromboli; Caulfield Guineas —Oxide. A few outside “ probables ” for the Caulfield Cup are Granite, Forty Winks, and The Harbour Light. , ,