RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 60, 17 September 1891, Page 3

RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

[_BY

PEGASUS.

The self-imposed task of finding the winner of the Caulfield Cup is as Herculean as the compiling of the handicap itself. In fact, perhaps, more so. In making the handicap, previous perform ances are taken into account only, and the matter of whether the horses can stand a preparation or not is no part of the work. In my present attempt, however, in addition to previous performances, I have to consider the probabilities of the contestants “ getting the distance,” “ standing a preparation,” “ being wanted,” and numerous other little pros and cons attendant upon horse racing. The task is more troublesome to me here in New Zealand, so far from the “ seat of war,” than to a sporting writer who is “ on the spot.” Nevertheless, I trust my remarks may assist some readers in solving the problem and eventually “spotting the correct pea” upon which tb lay their dollars. Owing to rhe enormous list of contestants, I shall be compelled to sort my remarks up into sections. For this purpose I shall begin by first discussing first the merits of the 9 STONE DIVISION. Only two appear in it, viz., Bungebah, 9st 7 lb, and Cuirassier, 9st 51b. 1 Bungebah is, to my mind, the fastest and cleverest three - quarter or one miler in Australia with any weight up. Weight does iidt seem to trouble him, and I incline to the opinion that he will find the distance a bit too far. He has not yet got to the end of a journey over a mile. However, Boz won the Caulfield, although he had only run in “ sprint” races previously ; but Boz had 7st 71b amongst a poof lot, whilst Bungebah has 9st 71b amongst a few “warm ’uns?’ Although nominal favourite, he is no favourite of mine. I don’t expect to see him in a place Cuirassier is a local horse, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to hear of his success, even to the complete “boiling-over” of my random “ pots.” T am very much afraid he will not stand the preparation, and cannot recommend him. As I fail to find any plums in the small 9st division, I must hasten on to review the formidable array of “ sneezers ” and “ hot ’uns ” to be found in the 8 STONE DIVISION. All of them in this lot are animals that have “ dOUe a bit in their time,” and my task is to

find the one with the “rosiest” show. Well here goes. Vengeance, Bst 131 b, has, during last year, performed exceedingly well, but, as I remarked in a previous issue. I imagine he has “ shot his bolt.” He is what I call a “ meteoric ” horse. His appearance, like that of a meteor, was sudden, and I expect him to vanish as suddenly. Sudden vengeance is only hot while it lasts. It soon expends itself. Besides, on comparing the weights and performances of each amongsj themselves and with others, I calculate he meets Correze, Paris, and The Spot on 31b, 61b, and 71b worse terms respectively. Again notice my remarks on Richelieu. Correze, Bst 111 b, is nicely handicapped., but as four years is a critical age with the majority of horses, he may not be able to secure any advantage on the score of weights. He certainly appears to me to hold all the members of his division safe if we except Richelieu, Gresford, Paris, The Spot, and Chintz. Correze’s V.R.C. Handicap victory last year was the fastest on record. Whimbrel, Bst 101 b, has done very little so far. I count him an arrant rogue, and pass him over in consequence. Teksum, Bst 91b is an erstwhile Aucklander, and is well known here. I fail to see what chance he can have in the company even with a lighter weight. Furthermore, his age precludes any improvement on past performances, and he gives one the idea of prefering a shorter distance. His win against Megaphone and Little Bernie I always have looked upon as a “ fluke.” I push him aside. Richelieu, Bst 91b, I bad great hopes of as a three-year-old, but was greatly disappointed. Notwithstanding his inability to win anything last year, a little bird whispers that he has been kept in reserve, and will come out this season as a sort of “ surprise party.” His owner is rather fond of such “ funnyisms,” and often boils over the pots. Compared with last year’s weights over similar distances, he meets Vengeance on 281 b, Correze on 241 b, Greygown 161 b, Malvolio 161 b, Enuc 241 b, Loyalstone 171 b, Little Burnie 121 b, and many others on equally good terms. Rather a startling array of heavy weights don’t you think ? His breeding is good enough to carry him over a two mile journey if necessary. I strongly recommend him as the very best of the Bst division on the score of weights, breeding, and likelihood of standing a preparation. Greygown, Bst 91b, and Tarcoola, Bst 71b, I cannot recommend to you “ at any price.’ Malvolio, Bst 71b, finds great favour in the eyes of some sporting writers, but I cannot say I am very desperately in love with his chance. I fancy he must “ tumble to Richelieu s weight. John S., Bst 71b, will be “ anchored on account of the distance. Weight does not trouble him greatly, but distance does. His “ rate of locomotion ” too is a “ snail’s funeral.” Tantallon and Tradition are on the shady side in age, therefore look elsewhere for the winner. Gresford, Bst 61bs, is as game as a pebble at a finish. If we remember his “ dead heat second” in last year’s Spring Stakes, when Carbine won in the good time of 2min the chances of Gresfoi d must not be overlooked. His age is rather against him. Perhaps he may not be seen to advantage till the autumn. Paris and The Spot. Bst 61b each, I am unable to separate on the score of weight. They are both the same age, and neither of them have actually “ set the Thames on fire.” Paris has done a mile in fast time, but his one. mile and three furlongs was slow ; hence we judge the one and a half miles will be perhaps too much for him, even although nicely weighted. In the mile and three furlongs, with 71b the best of the weights, he beat Correze, but the latter likes it all the better the further he goes, so it is likely Paris will “fall” should these two met in the longer race with a difference of 51b only. The Spot, I opine, will be equal to Correze this season, and, being a St. Albans, points to the fact that distance won’t trouble him. I prefer The Spot to Paris then. Annesley, Bst 61b, is outclassed. Why he got such a weight is a mystery to me. Lyndhurst, Bst 51b, is “ cronky-legged,” too ancient, and can’t have any show. King Calf, Bst 41b, I have no liking for. Might, do well amongst third classers. Chintz, Bst 31b, unless wonderfully improved,

must have a very poor show She has always performed in slow time. Enuc, Bst 21b, and Loyalstone, Bst 11b, have a deal the worst of the weights with a number of others both above and below them. Litigant, Magic Circle, Sir Anthony, and Gladstone, Bst 11b each, haven’t a dog’s show to my mind. Some of them are overweighted, others outclassed, or the distance is too far. Beverley, Bst, does not warrant any remark. He is quite out of it at the weight. (Zb be continued.')

Something for bankers to try at the A.R. Club’s meeting next Saturday. Hurdles—Bit o’ Blue. September Handicap—Dolosa. Flying Handicap—Priscilla. Steeples Handicap—Justice.