RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 71, 3 December 1891, Page 2

RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

[by

PEGASUS.]

It is generally a wise thing to let “ sleeping dogs lie.” and perhaps some readers may think it advisable to do this as applied to the recent Hilda-cum-reversal of form — cum-Phseton-eum-Splitwink discussion that has been going on in the papers lately. Up to this, however, I have refrained from any “ remark ” thereon, and I thought perhaps I might be allowed a “ small say ” without being accused of disturbing the “ said dog ” or of trying to again stir up the now somewhat settled dirt. Looking certainly at the matter, and uninfluenced by any bias in favour of any particular fancy, I am constrained to allow that “ Split wink ’’has “ hit the nail on the head ” in his recent letter, and has sounded a note of warning to all of us turf scribes not to be carried away by any “ exuberance of obsequiousness,” and. thereby giving the public any but fair criticisms on current events. If we are to make “fish of one and flesh of the other,” I rather think readers’ faith in turf scribes generally will be much shaken. Knowing the liability to make mistakes when hurriedly penning sporting lines, still I think an unbiased mind should not be liable to committing an error which would afterwards cause what has been styled “ virulent discussion.” Personally, I should say that Orakei’s owner would be the one to lay blame of “virulence” when his horse’s doings were being discussed. I sympathise with my confrere in his dilemma, and shall conclude by expressing the hope that the matter is now at rest, and that no such similar episode will occur in this district throughout the season by reason of any “ reversal of form” of any horses at our different gatherings. The Auckland Trotting Club is to be congratulated on its splendid list of nominations, and I only hope the differences existing between it and the Metropolitan Race Club will very soon be at an end. In fact, it seems to me, there is no very “ desperate ” differences to settle. -

Next week I shall also have an opportunity of looking into the chances of the horses entered for the Summer Cup, Carrington Stakes, and Tattersalls’ Cup. The first-named race is run at Randwick on Boxing Day next over a 1| mile course. The entry list of 81 contains the following New Zealanders :— Tirailleur 9st, Scots Grey Bst 21bs, Impulse 7st 91bs, Gatling 7st 21 bs, Tiraillerie 7st, and Satyr 6st 41bs. The Carrington Stakes, £ mile, has a lengthy list of 111, and is run on New Year’s Day, 1892. On the next day Tattersail’s Cup is run over a two mile course.

Some of the racing public think some “ reversal of form ” was displayed at the recent Takapuna meeting. Perhaps so. It was managed very artistically, however. Many “ sports” think that Leorina ought to have won both her races over there. Just so. But she didn’t. There was no Ingorina in the second race to beat her, so she won with a good div. By my “remarks” on the Onehunga Spring Meeting it will be seen she should “ repeat the dose ” there if necessary. The weights for the Onehunga Spring Meeting appeared sharp to time on Monday morning. The compilation is about the best we have had this season so far; and yet Mr. Halstead has allowed a few mistakes to creep in. For example, Leorina, 9st 21b, wins the Takapuna Spring H andicap, 6 furlongs; Warrior, 7st, only getting third; and Bon Voyage, 7st 21b, runs unplaced. In the Onehunga Flying Stakes, six furlongs again, Leorina is raised only 21b, whereas Warrior and Bon Voyage are raised 41b and 11b respectively. If the former race were a true run race what earthly show have these two at the Onehunga meeting ? Then in the Steeples Relation, who has repeatedly proved that he can “ get ” the steeplechase course, again meets Chance, Neck or Nothing and Pawa on the same terms as before, although he placed himself at Takapuna, and the others could not. Ido not wish, to be too critical, and shall content myself by pointing these few out as the most glaring errors to be found. There will be some difficulty in unearthing the winner. Since the above was written the acceptances are to hand, and the acceptance list must be very flattering to Mr. H., and proves the handicaps to be a very fair adjustment. The following is the Onehunga programme and my fancies for each, which are as follows : — Maiden Plate. —Resentment or Maid of Erin. Steeples. —Bit o’ Blue, Hopeful Kate, Neck or Nothing. Pony Race.—Silkworm or Coquette. Hurdles. —Colonel or Tawhana. Flying Stakes. —Priscilla or Papakura. Welter Handicap. —Ma Boughal or Deception.

Spring Handicap.—Leorina, 1 ; Ingorina, 2 ; Belmont, 3. These may require sorting up as the day’s racing proceeds.