TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 130, 19 January 1893, Page 9

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

This meeting commences on Saturday week, the 28th instant, and will be continued on the following Monday. The entries for the minor handicaps on the first day closed on Friday last, and Mr Knight had his handicaps out punctual to time on Monday. As the acceptances and general entries are due to-morrow it is unnecessary for me to make any very lengthy remarks on the handcaps at present, so I shall content myself with a few words. The entries for the smaller races are, I may say, very satisfactory, there being 14 in the Maiden Plate, 13 in the Hurdles, 15 in the Zealandia Handicap, 14 in the Handicap Maiden Steeplechase, 8 in the Calliope Handicap, 13 in the Borough Handicap, and 18 in the Stewards’ Handicap.

Ins the Maiden Plate, one mile, Waltzer at 8.12 has not, I think, an ounce too much, but Stanley, 8.0, should bave been asked to concede weight to Sir Roland, instead of being put on the same mark with him. Transit and King Cannibal, too, are a pair that should have at least, in my opinion, been evenly weighted with Sir Roland, if not put above him. Those below King Cannibal are certainly moderate enough in all conscience, and all in I think Waltzer, with 8.12, can beat the lot, excepting perhaps Stanley and Muriel. In the Hurdle Handicap, two miles, Fishmonger heads the poll at 11.4, and certainly that is quite as much as he deserves. I like Aorere far belter at 10.12, and I think whatever beats him will win. Marechai Neil, 10.10, is raised iglb on the weight he carried to victory at Ellerslie in the New Year Hurdle Race; Belmont, who was unplaced, is kept at the same weight, and Fishmonger, who was second, is raised 81b. This looks like scientific handicapping, but though perhaps it may be, I think Marechai Neil has the best of it because he is a more improving horse than the others. Aorere did not start -jn this same New Year Hurdle Race, &nd so we cannot well judge of him thrbugh the others, but, on the form he has shown us this season, I must repeat myopinion that whatever beats him now will win. In addition to Marechal Neil Rae has another representative in his stable in the shape of Isidore, a horse he brought up on his return from the N.Z. Cup Meeting. I have seen this horse run down South, and on that form I do not look on him as dangerous now because I think some of the 9.7 division can beat him easily, and he is asked to give them 51b. Tupara, 9.7, though by no means brilliant, is one that I think will beat him, and so may Bombardier. Bnt the pair I pick at present to supply the winner are Aorere and Marechai Neil.

St. Clements is brilliant enough over a five furlongs course, but I think Mr Knight has been a bit too hard on him in giving him 9.10 in the Zealandia Handicap. I do not care for Warrior at 8.4, nor Lady Belle at 8.2, but I am very partial to His Worship at 7.12, and Waltzer at the same impost, but the latter may run for the Maiden. Tamar should get a nice five furlongs with 7.8 if she be in the humour, and Marguerite has more than an outside chance. If I had to make a definite tip now I should say that the

places will be filled by His Worship, Waltzer and Marguerite. The 14 that are in the Handicap Maiden Steeplechase, three miles, should furnish a most exciting contest. The handicap was a somewhat difficult one to make, and I think Mr Knight has performed his task well. The trio I prefer at the weights are Nero, Maritana, and Blue Ribbon.

Eve has well earned the 9.2 allotted her in the two-vear-old event of the day, the Calliope Handicap, five furlongs. But though I think she will, if started, run a big race, I reckon Captivity or Royal Rose will beat her, Captivity for choice.. I do not understand why Ben Godfrey, who has never run, is asked to give two untried ones like the Brigadier filly and Jennie 181 b. I will not say anything about the Borough Handicap of six furlongs, because most of those in it have other engagements at the meeting, and the same remark in a lesser measure applies to the Stewards’ Handicap, six and a-half furlongs. At this distance Mr Knight has discreetly taken 51b off the weight he gave. St. Clements at five furlongs, but I think more than one of those below him would have proved his master had he been started, which there is no probability of his being after the accident he met with on Tuesday, as recorded in another column. I like Warrior and' His Worship at 7.12 and 7.8 respectively—whichever Mr “ B. Thompson” elects to send, and Waltzer, 7.8, again strikes my eye, but the race is best left alone till next week, when I shall have the acceptances to guide me.