The Turf

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 62, 1 October 1891, Page 6

The Turf

Before going into future events it would be as well to retrospect the condition and running ' of the different horses at the A.R.C. First Spring Meeting. The majority of the horses that went to the post were very backward, while some of them were totally unfit. Of the six that started for the Trial Stakes, Tupara, the winner, was the most forward, but they were all very moderate, and except at some of the minor meetiugs will not show to advantage. For the Hurdle Race, The Colonel was pretty forward in condition. He is possessed of a fair turn of speed, and is a splendid hurdle jumper, as he takes them in his stride, not dwelling as many others do. Unfortunately he makes a noise, and if bustled about at the start it completely stops him. Therefore it will not do to stand him in a race with good horses, and that is likely to, be fast run from the fall of the flag. Theorem was in fair condition, but is, I find, such an uncertain - horse. Fishmonger was short of work. The running of Bit o’ Blue was “ curious,” and one can make no excuse for him. The other two —Cynical and Kate— will never, in my opinion, do anything in good company. In the September Handicap The *«ta<Dreamer was as fit as anything; also being well served by his weight and the going, which was very heavy. Morion is a nice colt, but he will be better with more time, and a stronger boy on his back. Dolosa was fit enough, but she is a soft one, and does not like it when the pinch comes. Hilda was rather backward. The way she was ridden would not suit a critic, but as I understand she will run at Napier next week she may perform better. However, I should be very loth to stand her for any spring engagement, unless in very moderate company. Coalscuttle is only a “ plater,” while Dishonor is a fine colt, but backward. He met with an accident in the race that may lay him up for some time. The two-year-olds with the exception of Brown Alice were very backward. She is a nice filly, and is sure to pay her way. Queen Rose and Dorothy will both be heard of as the season advances. The others, unless in very moderate company, are not likely to gain winning brackets. The steeplechasers were all pretty fit, but they are only a moderate lot. Omata was decidedly lucky in getting home, as his legs are none of the best. He afterwards walked lame, and it appeared as if • his sound leg had given way, which is very likely, as horses are very apt to do so, for in trying to save the bad one they throw their weight on the other. Bit o’ Blue’s fall was unfortunate, as he was going well at the time, and if he had stood up some light would have been thrown on his running in the Hurdle Race. The Baron was far away the most forward of those that ran in the Flying Stakes. He looked , well and rather on the big side, and will be sure to show to advantage over his own distance during the season. It strikes me that Vieux Rose was only second on sufferance. Lady Belle wants more time. Cissy looked anything but herself, and her running was bad, as she could never go the pace. Dolosa again ran like a soft one. Master Pat will pay his way at country meetings. The remainder must be put down as very moderate. Mangere rather astonished the public in the way he won the Hunter’s Race, and as I believe he is a good fencer he will be heard of again if properly placed. From the foregoing it will be seen that there are not many good horses training in Auckland, and I do not think there are any j

“ dark ” ones outside the Ellerslie training ground. The Workman is really a good colt, but at the present time he is under a cloud, and I have doubts if he will stand a preparation, therefore it appears probable that the bulk of the money will go to Napier and Christchurch.

Last Friday night was a busy time for owners and trainers, as the nominations closed for the principal events at the A.R.C. Second Spring and Summer meetings, also those for the Pakuranga Hunt Club races, which take place on October 17th. The entries for the A.R.C. Second Spring meeting, which takes place on November gth and 10th, may be considered satisfactory, as they are confined to local horses, owing to its clashing with the C.J*C. Metropolitan fixture. The entries for the Spring Hurdle Race. 80 sovs., two miles number 19. The Prince of Wales Handicap, of 200 sovs., one and a half miles, has an entry of 20, while those for the City Handicap, of 150 sovs., one mile and a quarter, are 23. The nominations for the Auckland Cup, of 600 sovs., two miles, are not so satisfactory, there being only 30, while only 35 are entered for the A.R.C. Handicap, of 400 sovs., one and a half miles. The quality, however, is good, most of the best horses in the Colony being engaged. Even at this period it appears long odds that these two stakes will leave the district, as the majority of the horses trained here are of a very inferior quality. The Auckland Steeplechase, of 300 sovs., about three and a half miles, has obtained the good entry of 28, and as Auckland is better off for jumpers than flat racers, the chances are that this race will be kept here.

Among the entries for the A.R.C. Second Spring meeting appears Mr. J. George’s blk c Melos, 3yrs old. Although there is not much chance of his being mistaken for the Australian horse of the same name, it is a great pity that some persons will persist in naming their horses after celebrated Australian ones, as some time or other it may cause confusion, especially to breeders, for there always is an interchange of horses with the other side, and as racing in New Zealand progresses there will be more. Even at the present time an unwary breeder might be taken in by the similarity of names. It is stated in a contemporary that this season there are some stallions travelling under false pedigrees and performances, but the similarity of names help them through the. season and obtain a few extra mares. If the following words in Rule 64, “by which name any other horse in New Zealand had been previously known,” was altered by striking out the words “ New Zealand ” and inserting “ the Australian Colonies,” or even “ Australasia,” the objection would be remedied at once.

The acceptances and general entries for the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club Spring Meeting are exceedingly good. This being the first fixture in Hawke’s Bay it is difficult to find out the condition of the horses as well as the intention of owners. Some of those that have accepted in the Spring Handicap are also engaged in the New Zealand Cup; notably, Strephon, who was for some time the favourite for the latter event. Will they, if they have a show for the Cup, run the risk of incurring a 51b. penalty? In suggesting the more likely winners, I am compelled to rely on the slight information received, and book form. For the First Handicap Hurdle Race five remain in. The top weights being struck out, Oaklands and Otaieri should finish in the order named. Five have paid up for the Guineas. Clanranald from his running at Timaru has proved that he is very fit. Namoa and Clanranald should fight out the finish. There are fourteen remaining in the Flying Stakes. Rosefeldt, Boulanger, and Fraternite read best, but should Dolosa take it into her head to try, she may upset all calculations. The Spring Handicap has the good acceptance of sixteen. Hilda, gst 31b, heads the list, but after her exhibition at the A.R.C. meeting at Ellerslie I cannot stand, her, though I should not be surprised at a reversal of form. Strephon, Bst 91b, reads well, but there is the New Zealand Cup to take into consideration. British Lion yst gib, Fraternite yst 31b, Dolosa yst zlb, Rosefeldt yst, and Clanranald 7St 31b (including sib penalty), all read well, but I

fancy they will finish in about the following order —Rosefeldt, British Lion and Fraternite. The Welcome Stakes had better be left alone, as it is impossible to judge of two-year-olds at this time of year, but if Adelaide, who is a December foal, wins, the rest must be moderate. The other races are dependent on previous running.

The Waikato Hunt Club’s meeting takes place next Saturday. The races are chiefly confined to local horses, so it would be absurd to try and pick a winner out right. The entrances are fairly good, and with fine weather there should be a good afternoon’s sport. Mangere and Muscatelle read well for the Steeplechase, while Never Miss might land the Hurdles. If true what is said about Lady Marion, she has a great show for the Maiden and Flying Stakes ; though Tupara on recent form may trouble her for the latter race.

The New Zealand Cup does not attract as much attention as in olden days ; in fact, there is very little betting on it, and the quotations are • nearly nominal, as the investments are very small. At the present time forty-one remain in, but when the second payment becomes due there will be found a great reduction. On looking down the list it does not appear as if the field will consist of more than ten or a dozen, but the Hawkes Bay Jockey Club meeting may throw some light on it, as no less than fifteen horses engaged in the Spring Handicap are acceptors for the Cup ; therefore the running must affect this race. Up to the present I see no reason to alter my opinion that the Cup will fall to Dan O’Brien’s selected one, Strephon or Cynisca, though Blizzard must be looked upon as dangerous. The question that will puzzle backers up to the day of the race will be which will be Dan O’Brien’s selected one. Freedom has nothing to complain of with his weight, and he is doing plenty of work and going well. Flinders as I have stated before will, I think, if good enough, be kept until later on in the season. Tassy is greatly improved, and appearance of being a stayer. If I was compelled to back one of the ’ trio it would by Tassy, if only for this reason— Freedom and Flinders have been fiominatd for the Auckland events, for which Tassy has been omitted. Cajolery appears to have improved in his temper, as he displayed none of it in the Timaru Guineas, and is evidently an improving horse, therefore he must have a chance. The more one looks down the list the more convinced is one of the lot of moderate horses and ones that cannot stay engaged in, the race. ’ »

The Hawkesbury Meeting does not throw much light on future events. As usual, the accounts to hand are very meagre, but as Stromboli won the Guineas, with his stable companion (Piecrust) second, it must be presumed that he had nothing to beat. The Hawkesbury Handicap only brought out a field of six. The aged gelding, Bustler, fist gib, was made favourite, and holding a good position throughout, won by a couple of lengths from Pastime, syrs, 6st rolb, Jack, aged, yst i2lb, being third. Sunshine, who was greatly fancied for this event from his previous running, finished nowhere. When full particulars arrive they will give further study for those that back horses by the book.

There is very little doing on the Caulfield Cup, Bungebah having paralyzed the betting market —nothing being backed except him for money, and absurdly short prices are taken about him. That Bungebah is undeniably a good horse over his own distance, and that he does not care for a bit of weight, has been fully proved, but it is asking him to do a great thing to carry gst ylb first past the post in a race of this description. If he was at a longer price he would be worth standing, for you would then have a chance of hedging; but at present odds you must stand it out. It is not my intention to go through the handicap again until the next Australian mail is to liand, but only point out a few that are worth watching. Until the final payments are made on October 13th, four days before the race, it will be difficult to find out which of the Cups some of the horses will go for, as they have been backed for small sums for both. Whimbrel, Bst xolb, is one

that must not be overlooked. He is also in the Melbourne Cup with 41b less. He was very nearly at the head of his year last season. Dan O’Brien is supposed to have sold him last season, and he went into Nicholson’s hands, who 'is undoubtedly one of the cleverest men in his profession; look what he did with Dunlop, who was unsound, which Whimbrel is not, though he has a temper, but from last accounts he was going on all right. It is not unlikely that he still retains an interest in Whimbrel. Paris is another that is more likely to prefer the shorter distance. Lapstone, Dillon, Forest King, and one or two of the three-year-olds are worth watching.

For the Melbourne Cup Megaphone is first favourite. On his recent running he should hold all the top weights safe, and if Carbine is out of the way he will take a great deal of beating, but at present he might be left alone. Vengeance continues firm, but he is not likely to have improved much since last season, but I shall leave further remarks until next week.

Dan O’Brien may well be called the mysterious owner and trainer. One week the Southern papers report that he is leaving immediately for Australia with certain horses, the next it is contradicted. It seems- pretty certain that his movements are as well watched as are his horses’ gallops. Why this is done it is hard to understand, as should he leave for the other side, his horses will be in the hands of a competent trainer, and one that knows how to place them. Our conferere in the the Canterbury Times has the following, which should settle whether Mr. O’Brien is going to Australia or not: —“ The statement which appeared in a contemporary that Mr. O’Brien proceeds shortly to Australia is incorrect. It is his intention to remain at home and superintend his horses until after the November meetings. He has the steeplechaser Freeman in work, but has not made up his mind in regard to his future destination.”

Messrs. Buckland & Son will sell on Friday next at 11 o’clock, without reserve, the two-year-old brown colt Sir Roland, by The Dauphin —Avaunt by Andover —Brund by Blair Athol. This colt is of fair size with plenty of substance, and takes very much after his sire. He has evidently not been well handled, and gives you the appearance of been hurried. If properly done for, and brought on gradually, he will be a useful horse for country meetings, as he appears.of a hardy constitution.