Coming Events.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 106, 4 August 1892, Page 4

Coming Events.

[By

“Sir Launcelot.”]

Chbistchurch Gband National Meeting.

Mr. Henry’s handicaps for two of the minor events of the Grand National Meeting, which is fixed for Thursday and Saturday next, the 11th and 13th insts., appear under our usual “Turf Record” heading in another column. Acceptances are not due till to-morrow (Friday), so that I cannot give my final selections either for the handicaps just declared or for the Grand National Hurdles and. Steeplechase till the next issue of the Spobting Review, but I must say a few words about the handicaps just issued by Mr. Henry —the Winter Handicap of a mile and a quarter and the Maiden Hurdles of one mile and three-quarters. The latter race is run on the first day, just before the Grand National Steeplechase. Kulnine, after his great performance last year in running second to Couranto in the G.N. Hurdles, had, of course, to have top weight, but Mr. Henry has not been at all hard on him in giving him 12.3, and he will in all probability go to the post a raging hot favourite. However, Lunn has also Cajolery in his hands, and at 10.12 this son of Apremont and Flattery looks to me likely to score, that is to say, provided he has thrown off the wayward temper which characterised him as a youngster. He is reported to have been fencing in great form at Riccarton of late, and it is certain that for pace he could, run rings round anything that will be opposed to him on the present occasion, not even excepting Kulnine. If anything beats Cajolery, I think it will be Mrs. Mullaney, who is not such a novice at the game as he is. I have seen this

mare win some decent up-country hurdle races, and I like her chance at 10.0. In short, I expect Mrs. Mullaney to win. with Cajolery close handy. Merrie England has the post of honour in the Welter Handicap, and Mr. Henry, consistent to his New Zealand Cup production, again asks him to concede Crackshot 11b. I doubt if either is likely to start, and I don’t care for Crown Jewel’s chance at 11.13. Bay King seems to run better with a welter weight in the saddle and a strong boy up, and I like his chance at 11.9. I pass by Liberator, Retina, and Waterbury, but Young Cheviot at 10.13 must be respected, and so must Galtee at the same weight. Further on, I like The Idler at 10.7, but it must be remembered that he is in the same stable as Bay King. Drift, 10.0, is the only one of the light weights I care for, but the distance is a bit more than she is partial to. Presuming that the top weights do not start fit and well, I take Bay King, Young Cheviot, The Idler, and Drift to be the best in on paper, and to try and pick it in one before the acceptances appear, I shall declare for Young Cheviot.

My confrere “ Pegasus ” bus, in another column of of this issue, indulged in such a lengthy review of the prospects of the various candidates for the Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdles, that I will, pending the declaration of acceptances, simply say that if at the point of the bayonet I were now compelled to tip the winner of the Steeplechase I should say Couranto, and I will express my idea that the other places will be fought out between Morok, Kaimanawa, and Bootles. The result of the Steeplechase may materially alter the prospects of some of the Hurdle nags, but if Couranto misses the first he will just about win the Hurdles, and I think he has most danger to apprehend from Cajolery, Norton, and Kaimanawa. I shall, of course, commit myself to definite tips next week after I see the final acceptances.