RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 67, 5 November 1891, Page 2

RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

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PEGASUS.]

Followers of my “tips” had a good time last Saturday at Potter’s Paddock. In the Selling Trot I found entered Rhoderick Dhu £2O, and a large string of names at wfZ. I never touch a selling race, and of course was sure to be right when I gave Rhoderick Dhu or IVll. Those readers who backed Rover had a nice little start for their 10s. investment, as he paid a div. of £5 7s. This would give a man £2 cash and a ticket on every race for the rest of the day. By following up the tips and using a little judgment on the course as events progressed, a nice afternoon’s pocketful should have been netted ; and to wind up with a div. of £6 odd on Ladybird was decidedly a “ crowner.”

Judging by the amount of the dividends, I fancy readers can’t stand my “ random ” tips, so I had better give up the job, and go there and back them myself instead. Steadfast—my V.R.C. Derby fancy —turned up “ trumps ” in the Maiden Plate at Flemington on Saturday. He did not stand by me for the Derby, but I predict once again that he will yet prove the most brilliant colt of the three in that stable.

The Maribyrnong Plate was a very slow run race—lmin 7|sec. The “ bustle” of the Australian spring racing having ended, attention must now be turned nearer homeward, and a little space devoted to New Zealand racing matters. I shall deal first with the New Zealand Cup, to be run at Christchurch next Monday. “ Changes are lightsome,” so they say. Well, in this case it is certainly true, for after “tackling” the great classic races with their mammoth fields of the other side it does seem a very light task to review the N.Z. Cup. Only 12 acceptors are left to cope with. Notwithstanding this, however, there is not such a great disparity in the percentage of acceptors to nominations as one might think, when we consider the scope of the racing material there and here. The Caulfield and Melbourne Cups had about a 20 per cent, acceptance, whereas the N.Z. Cup shows about 16 per cent. Returning to the thread of my “ remarks ” though, the change is really very lightsome in more ways than one; firstly in point of numbers, and secondly in the quality of the “ cattle.” During the last few weeks I have been “ wallowing ” amongst the “ nobs,” and now I take a turn with the “ plebs ” so to speak. Yet my “ scribbling” requires equally as much care, forethought, and study as when treating of the “classics.” I must now go ahead with the “ music,” and “ start the ball a-rolling ” with Craekshot, 9st 21b, who holds the pride of position both regarding weight as well as breeding. His running has been a good deal “ in and out;” and there is just a faint doubt about the soundness of his M pins,” which may be “ agin ” him, Otherwise, fit and well, he should be racehorse enough to bury the lot in it. Meanwhile I must leave him aside as a “ good probable ” only. % Freedom, Bst 121 b, comes next, but what to make of his and Crackshot’s running together is rather a puzzler. Take the Canterbury Derby and Cup last year for instance. In the former race —l£ miles —Freedom is second, Crackshot third ; and in the Cup—2| miles— Crackshot wins, Freedom only third, thus leading one to infer that the latter had a disinclination to make long journeys. Still we find he wins the Otago Cup, 1| miles, in 3min 9£sec,

carrying 7st 71b, and with Bst 31b up also wins the Dunedin Cup, 2 miles and a distance, in 3min 57sec. But I fancy he was the best horse out on those particular occasions, as the registered times are not “ watch-crackers.” However his weight is not burdensome, and this may help him home, unless I find something lower down the list that can “ stretch his legs ” for him. I believe I have dropped upon a “ mare’s nest.”

Oynisca, Bst 31b, is a nice mare, but I am always “ chary ” of the sex at the season of the year. She was a good deal en evidence during last Autumn, when she won the Wellington Cup, miles, with 7st 121 b up, in2min 40sec; and again carried Bst 71b to victory in the Hawke’s Bay Cup. If miles, in 3min B|secs. Comparing Freedom’s weight and time in the Otago Cup with Cynisca’s Hawkes Bay performance, one would say she is as good as he, but then the event under review is a quarter of a mile further, and I should prefer Freedom’s chance of lasting it out.

Blizzard, 7st 91b, is looked upon by some as the “ real stingo,” but I opine the distance will prove a little too far for bim. Compared with my next, I think he has about 31b the worse of the weights. He and Cruchfield are about on a par, but perhaps the handicapper allowed the latter a concession on account of being aged, whereas Blizzard is in his prime, 5 years old. Still, aged or no aged, I like those horses that have proved they can slay, or are bred on staying lines. Cruchfield, 7st Gib, is “ thrown in ” on the score of weight, and is the “ mare’s nest ” previously alluded to. His age must be rather “ agin ” him though, and reducing his pace. I look upon him as a “ dangerous cuss,” and quite likely to “crop up” at the end of the journey for this Cup. He meets Freedom on 111 b better terms than in the Dunedin Cup, when the result was Freedom, Bst 31b, Ist; Occident, Bst 81b, 2nd ; Cruchfield, 7st 81b. 3rd. Freedom goes up 91b, and Cruchfield comes down 21b, making the 111 b all in the latter’s favour. Judging by past performances too, Cruchfield should hold Blizzard safe. When

the t former gave the latter 61b Blizzard won, and'with the 61b difference the reverse way, * the result was also reversed. These two performances you will find bring them about equal, but Blizzard hasn’t yet got over a 2 mile journey. Furthermore, Cruchfield, if my memory serves me aright, won the Timaru Cup, 1| miles, with Bst or over, in the splendid time of 2min 39sec. That is, the mile and a half was “ carved up ” in only three seconds slower time than G’Naroo’s Caulfield Cup, and with a heavier weight up besides. I select this “joker ” as a likely one. Whisper, 7st 51b, is in the same stable with Cynisca, who must, I think, be too good for her. She may prove Mr. Hunter’s rep., but I have no great inclination for either. Rosefeldt, 6st 131 b, including a 31b penalty, comes next on the list, and is the sole representative of Mr. W. Douglas’s stable. Evidently Strephon has gone lame, as he did not accept, although the best-treated horse as to weight. I have repeatedly referred in previous issues to Rosefeldt and her chance. Although she has had varied luck lately at Napier and Wanganui I yet think she will only have thereby run herself “fit” by Cup day. I give her a place 1; 2 or 3. , Cajolery, 6st 131 b, does not please me as a two-miler. I shall call it a “ hupset ” if he should win. ’ British Lion, 6st 111 b, has been “ about ” at Napier and Wanganui, but I can only fancy him in races that don’t exceed miles. The other half-mile must fetch him back to his field, even although he has only a feather weight. I am not “ in love ” with his chance. Flinders, 6st Ulb, is Mr. D. O’Brien’s “ second string,” but as he has no win to his credit it is quite impossible to guage his merit. I incline to the belief that he will be pacemaker to his stable-mate Freedom. Thane, 6st 21b, ran well as a two-year-old, but I’m afraid she must find the company here “ too hot.” She should, however, beat Dilemma badly at even weights. I might safely own to being in a dilemma over these two last ones. Having exhausted my “ remarks ” I shall now “ sum up ” and give my verdict for the following four to supply the winner of the N.Z. Cup of ’9l, viz.; Crackshot, Freedom,

Cruchfield and Rosefeldt, and if asked to place them would say— Cruchfield or Freedom .. 1 Rosefeldt .. .. 2 Crackshot .. .. 3 The Canterbury Derby run next Wednesday calls for little comment. I fancy the following three in the .order given, viz., Flinders, Rosefeldt and Cajolery. A.R.C. Second Spring Meeting. The above meeting takes place on Monday and Tuesday next, 9th and 10th inst. Given a fine day on Monday, a large concourse of “ sports ” ought to be seen wending their way towards Ellerslie. Being a public holiday, the attendance ought to be good. The Club is to be congratulated upon their excellent fields for the first day ; and it is to be hoped the second day’s acceptance list will not be spoiled by hurried handicapping. Much, grumbling has been indulged in oftentimes by owners, &c., because of the hurried throwing together of the weights for a second day’s racing. At the time of writing I have before me only the two events to be run on the first day, viz., Prince of Wales’ Handicap and Spring Hurdles. The former race is over 1J miles course, and has an acceptance of fifteen. Glancing down the list I find Hilda has top weight, but as she is reported amiss, I must pass her by. Leorina is a good consistent mare, but will do better, I think, later in the season. The Baron, however, reads very well at Bst 71b, and will take a deal of “ putting down.” If Patchwork. 7st 101 b, were good-tempered enough I would not search further for the winner, but he is not to be depended upon. Loch Ness I hardly think will be forward enough. Reprisal and The Dreamer read well at 7st 71b each.

Pinfire and Dolosa, each 7st 41b, are not to be trusted.

Morion is a rare good ’un at 7st 41b. Brigand, 6st 111 b, is not overburdened with weight, and ought to be close up amongst the first flight. Of the others I only care for Warrior, and with him lam very much “in love ” Whatever beats him should win.

I expect the result next Monday will read thusly:—Warrior or The Baron, 1 ; Morion, 2 ; Brigand, 3, with Reprisal for a boil-over. The Hurdle Race is, as usual, a very open affair. I prefer Dan, Fishmonger and Bit o’ Blue in that order.