RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 74, 24 December 1891, Page 3

RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

[by

PEGASUS.]

Last week I made a hurried review of the Cup horses, which is now a small and select field. All things considered, I am inclined to think the race does not bear the same open aspect which it did a fortnight ago. Many changes have taken place since then, and the Cup of ’9l seems almost a “moral” for Hilda, if fit and well. She has, however, sexual troubles to contend with, and I drop her down “ one,” in case she be not quite herself on the day. Summing up my last week’s “ remarks” and from the information I have since obtained, I have decided upon placing the Cup horses as follows:—Fraternite, 1 ; Hilda or British Lion, 2 ; Dreamer, 3. On the Cup day the programme includes the Trial Stakes, one mile, for which the conditions are w.f.a. Looking over the list and conditions this race ought to fall to Flinders or The Baron. The Great Northern Foal Stakes, six furlongs, for two-year-olds, should be an interesting item This is a difficult race to pick, but everything considered, the result ought to read, Stepniak, 1 ; Whakawatea, 2; Brown Alice, 3. The next item is the Hurdle Race, two miles, for which there remains a small field of nine. Whether some of them will wait for the second day or not and undergo a “ reversal of form ” it is hard to say, but I can’t see why this event should not result in Try Fluke, 1 ; Fishmonger, 2 ; Lonely, 3. The next event on the list is the Nursery Handicap, for which we have a field of thirteen. I am compelled to go “ straight” for Glenora for this event. To fill the places I prefer St. Hippo and Wyvern in that order. The Railway Handicap, a “sprint” race over three quarters of a mile, bears a very open aspect indeed. After carefully scanning the list I incline to go for Reprisal, 1 ; The Baron, 2 ; Lady Belle, 3. The Maiden Steeples is a very poor lot, and looks like a fight between Irishman, Orakei, and The Colonel. The final event on the programme for the day is the Christmas Handicap. After the South Auckland running one would be voted a “hass and a hidjit” if he chose anything but Lochness. I shall say then for this event— Lochness, 1 ; Dolosa, 2; Roie, 3. I shall now attempt a review of the Steeplechase candidates. Sentinel, 11st 81b, heads the list, and were he the Sentinel of old he should be a “ dead bird.” Being located in the Waikato it is a difficult matter to get a line as to his owner’s intentions. To make sure, perhaps, it would be best to give him a place. Hopeful Kate, lOst 101 b, is a “red-hot” public fancy, and ought to run a great mare. I doubt her ability to put down Sentinel, however, Fishmonger, I Ost 71b, is handily weighted, and being a game little fellow should render a good account of himself on the 2nd of January. The Colonel, lOst 71b, although he won at Avondale, is not, I think, to be trusted for this event. At Hamilton on Saturday last he ought to have won even had they all stood up. Rae’s

pluck in remounting his charge was worth going a long way to see. I cannot say I have a strong fancy for The Colonel for the Auckland Steeples. Bit o’ Blue, lOst, was voted a “ dead bird ” when the weights first appeared, but, luckily for Mr. Evitt’s handicap, the roan is hardly likely to be himself by the day of issue. According to all accounts he has “ developed ” a knee, and is an unlikely starter. Yardman, 9st 121 b, doesn’t appear to have a hundred to one show. Good Day, 9st 111 b, would perphaps be more “at home ” in commoner company. Dan, 9st lllb, Has every appearance of a “ waiter,” and it would not in the least astonish me to find him “ upset the apple cart.” Don’t let him start without putting a few shillings on him. I pick him as a boil-over. Tawhana, Tommy, and Chance are each weighted at 9st 71b, and to judge by past performances the only one that should have a say is Tommy. Further “remarks” are, I, think, unneccessary, and to sum up the lot I opine the Steeplechase will be fought out between Sentinel, Hopeful Kate, and Fishmonger, always reserving Dan for the “upset.”

Auckland Trotting Club.

This Club opens the ball on Wednesday next, the 30th inst., when eight events are to be “panned” off. Of course everybody will have a particular fancy for each event, and it really seems next to useless to trouble about trying to pick the winners, because, “ if e’er convinced against their will, they are of the same opinion still.” Nevertheless, according to usual custom, I presume the general public will expect a tip of some kind, so here goes. I am not sure of the exact order of the events, but I shall wade through the list as they appear before me now. i The Trotting Cup of 200sovs, is a three mile race, and has an acceptance of twenty-three. This should prove a great contest, as the valile of the prize ought to have the whole lot “ jigging.” I feel disposed to say for this event —Midnight, 40sec, 1 ; Scotchman, 50sec, 2; Shamrock, 60sec, 3. The next item I drop across is the Pony Cup of £IOO, distance one mile. On the strength of Vampire being himself on the day, I should not go further for the winner, but it is hard to know exactly how he is. Presuming that he is alright, I shall placethem—Vampire, 1 ; Lady Onslow, 2 ; Red Rose, 3. The Handicap Trot, two and a-half miles, ought to result in Sailor Boy, 37sec, 1 ; Bess, 37sec, 2 ; Sandgate, 3. The Maiden Trot, two miles, is like taking a pick in the dark, because many of the animals are out for the first time. Just to say I attempted it I shall try a pick at Puhoi, 30sec, and leave readers to choose something else to please themselves. If that doesn’t come off don’t blame Pegasus. I seldom or never touch a Selling Race, but this one looks such a “ moral ” for Martha that I cannot resist the temptation of saying so. The Hurdle Race seems to rest between Despised and Lady Onslow, the latter for preference. In the Pony Trot, two miles, I have a great sneaking regard fdr Shamrock, with a 40sec start, next to which I like Myrtle and Maud S. The result ought to read nearly like that. The last item to cope with is the Flying Stakes, six furlongs. This event reads terribly “ sultry ” for Silkworm, 6st 121 b, who should be “ chased ” in by Red Rose or Fryingpan, In order that readers may arrive at conclusions quickly, I shall recapitulate the events and the tips for each as follows: —Trotting Cup—Midnight, Scotchman, Shamrock Pony Cup—Vampire, Lady Onslow, Red Rose. Handicap Trot—Sailor Boy, Bess, Sandgate, oli, Charlie. Maiden Trot—-Puhoi or Something Hurdles —Lady Onslow or Despised. Pony Trot —Shamrock, Myrtle, and Maud S. Sell, ing Trot—Martha. Flying Stakes—Silkworm, Red Rose, Fryingpan. ( Notes from Australia lead me to make the following selections for the principal b vents over there:— Summer Cup, miles.—St. Blaize or Scots Grey 1, Prelude 2. ' The Carrington Stakes, f mile, should be fought out between Mitre, Paris, and Marvel, and I prefer them in that order. For Tattersail’s Club Cup a large field remains in still. Of course the former events may affect the result of this one. Should St.

Blaize not win the Summer Cup I should be very sweet on his chance for this event. Failing this, I opine the result will read somewhat after this fashion :—Yowi or Magnus i, Albemarle 2, Forty Winks 3. It does seem “ passing strange that alter the recent exhibitions of bad starting the A.R.C. should not have appointed Mr. E. D. Halstead as starter at their summer meeting. Mr. Halstead has proved beyond a doubt his . ability to wield the flag, and has temporarily -filled the breach before for the A.R.C. at their spring meeting with great credit. Notwithstanding this, and the confidence of the public in Mr. H. as a starter, the Club have actually appointed a Queensland resident to that important office. As to the ability of Mr. Buckland I say nothing, but I certainly think it is time the clubs about gave up “experimenting, and set themselves to appoint officers have earned their places by repeated actual demonstration of their fitness for the office. Further- : more, if I am not mistaken, Mr. B. did not distinguish himself in any wonderful way when acting’ as a starter before. If we are to have an improvement in racing matters there must ibe given “ Honour to whom honour is due, andj it would be interesting to know what means were employed to bring about an appointment wherein that principle has been completely ignored.