RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 75, 31 December 1891, Page 3

RANDOM RACING REMARKS.

[by

PEGASUS.]

On Jan. i st the Victoria Racing Club open their Summer Meeting. The principal events are the Standish and Bagot Handicaps, ror the former event a large field of good uns appear on the list, and I should think the best half dozen in the race are First Boolka, Carrington, Deerswood, Magic Circle, Merriment and Albina. The Bagot Handicap is run over a mile and five furlong course. Tirailleur, Bst 131 b ; Chintz, yst 1 zlb ; Magic Circle, 7st 71b; Yarran, 7St sib ; and Clonard, Bst 4-lb, all read well, and I fancy that Chintz ought to. just about win, with Clonard and Magic Circle to fill the places. In the Steeplechase, on the same day, Chemist has been awarded 12St 31b ; Orange-. man, 11 st; and Messenger, lost lolb. Tumult, lost sib, ought to be heard of to advantage in this event. None of the “ tipsters” were very successful in their selections for Boxing Day. Well, when one hears of horses not being “ on the job it is almost sure to make him “ tip ’ the events wrongly. . . From what I can gather Irishman is said to be a good ’un, and well worth backing when started» 1 should like to hear the public expression of opinion with regard to the comparison Of Lonely at Takapuna and Lonely at Ellerslie. I havd mine. , I was glad to notice that Capella and her rider escaped without any very serious injury in the Hurdle Race. I hear that my confreie “ Torpedo had a “ fiver ” on Pinfire in the Auckland Cup. I should be surprised if he had done otherwise, seeing that Pinfire is by Torpedo Yatterina,' - The div. on Pinfire was not so large as. in Nelson’s year. In that year it was fifty odd pounds for a £2 ticket; this year it was £l7 for a £\ ticket. Although Wakawatea is only a two-year old, yet he has a great amount of precocity. His name signifies “ Clear the wav,” and it was very amusing to see him clear the way in front of the totalisator before going out to start. He just seemed like as if he had gone there to see what his div. would be, and that being satisfactory he went out and won. It strikes., me the horses are getting as “ peculiar” as the men. What is going to win the Steeple is now the cry ? It is reported that Rae’s stable are confident they have the winner boxed up all right. Be that as it may, I have gone again carefully through the list, and cannot see my way clear to alter my opinion expressed in previous issues, viz., that the result on Saturday will read — Sentinel [or Dan J .. • • 1 Hopeful Kate .. .. .. 2 Fishmonger .. .. • • 3 I have put Dan in brackets, as last week I put him down as a boil-over, and if all reports be true it seems very probable indeed. The weights for the New Year’s Day races have appeared, and I have been going through them carefully. At the time of writing no acceptances are to hand, so I shall name four in each event, thus making allowance for some dropping out. Each horse is given in order of merit. The first event is New Year’s' Hurdles, with thirteen entries. Sentinel, list, is hardly likely to accept. Lonely, 11st sib, has a stable mate lower down the- list who may be the “ joker.” Orakei, lost 1 ilb, is well treated. Although zlb more than on Boxing Day he did not seem to run in accordance with his attempt in the Maiden Steeples afterwards. I fancy his chance greatly. Bit o’ Blue, lost gib, may be passed over. Fishmonger, lost gib, reads well, and ought to be amongst the first flight. Good Day, lost 81b, is in Rae’s stable, which has played several “ trump cards” already this season, and is worthy of notice. Everything, depends upon the acceptances. Yardman, gst 71b, is “ not in it.” Capella’s accident may militate against her chance. Of the gst division Irishman is a “ dark ’un,” and Barshot might x “ upset the pot.” Carefully considered I select the following four in their order: —Orakei, Rae’s selected, Fishmonger, and Irishman. The Great Northern Derby final acceptances are not to hand, and it is almost like picking

in the dark. Should they each accept I should place them—Clanranald. or Lebel, i; Morion. 2 ; Flinders, 3. The next event is the Newmarket Handicap, six furlongs. Judging by the Railway Handicap, won by Reprisal, this horse meets Baron on gib ; Quadrant, 181 b ; Lady Belle, 1 gib ; Resentment, 4-lbs ; Dancer, ylb ; Vieux Rose, 151 b, and Warrior, ijlb, worse terms. Lochness meets Fiesole on 61b better terms than in the Christmas Handicap, and Master Pat on ilb difference. By a comparison of form and running, I should say the best are Lady Belle, Vieux Rose, Fiesole, and Lochness. The Midsummer Handicap, five furlongs, for two-year-olds, is rather a puzzler. Space does not permit of a lengthy review of the contestants. I shall therefore content myself with voting for Puwerewere, Glenora, Wyvern, and . His Worship. - The A.R.C. Handicap, miles, is the great event of the day. This event is a very open one. Hilda, gst 51b, on her Cup running, should be “ out of it.” The course being soft she might, however, “bob up serenely.” British. Lion, Bst ylb, if well, is not harshly treated. Pinfire, Sst 61b. is too heavily weighted; about gib less would suit him better. Leorina, Sst jlb,. I. must pass by. Baron, Bst, has an outside show, the distance being rather too far, I think. Reprisal, Bst, is very well in, and must get into a place. Quadrant and Fraternite I pass by. : Queen of Trumps, fst 61b, is my “ fancy” of the whole list, and what beats her must win. Coalscuttle, yst 41b, is lightly handicapped, but notwithstanding her Second in the Cup, I must consider her outclassed in this race. The Dreamer, 7 st 41b, ran third in the Cup, and ought to hold Coalscuttle quite safe in this shorter race.. He appears very fit just now, and might upset all calculations., Leolantis, yst 41b, should be “anchored” beside Lochness at the same weight. Of the rest I only fancy Dolosa, yst, and Resentment, 6st izlb ; the former is so uncertain that one is chary of touching her. If she is in the humour her weight ought to help her home. Resentment, I feel sure, isia good Jun, and, when fit and ready will distinguish himself. Summing up the chances of each, I Confess a strong preference for Queen of Trumps, Reprisal, Lochness, and British Lion, witly Dolosa and Resentment always reserved for a “ boil over.” 1 In the Maiden Handicap, one mile and a distance, it is very- difficult to imagine what is likely to accept. I fancy, though, that the placed horses will come from Warrior, Lonely, Yattaghan, and the Dancer. ; The final event is the Welter Handicap, with a small field of seven. In this race I find nothing but Colonel first, the rest anywhere they can get to; ;'I have been asked regarding Stamford for the Maiden Plate for New Year’s Day. My reply is Stamford won the Drury Cup of 40 sovs,:and Flying Stakes of 15SOVS, which, with deductions, is nett According to the conditions of the race, and by Rule 45, I presume Stamford will be disqualified. >1 take this opportunity of offering my readers the compliments of the season. I hope my “ tips” throughout the season have brought you all out on the right side of the ledger, and that my “tips” in this issue will “eventuate,” thereby causing you to hope for still better things. I shall conclude by wishing readers of this column A Happy New Year.”