TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 131, 26 January 1893, Page 8

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

This popular club will commence their Summer Meeting on Saturday and bring itjto a conclusion on Monday (Anniversary Day). Mr Knight did his handicapping so well for the first day’s events that the percentage of non-acceptors has been very small indeed. Large prices were paid on Friday at the sale of the privileges, and with fine weather —which generally seems to be a perquisite of the Takapuna Jockey Club—there should be a large concourse of spectators on both days, especially ou the Monday, which will be observed as the Anniversary Day holiday. Business will be commenced on Saturday with the Handicap Maiden Plate of 30sovs, one mile, for which Mr Knight scored a rattling record in the matter of acceptance, for every one of the fourteen weighted by him accepted. This shows the popularity of these Maiden Handicaps which, as I have before mentioned, might be introduced with advantage into some of the programmes of the South Island clubs. This by the way, though. I adhere to the opinion I expressed last week that, with a start, Waltzer will win, and if he is beaten I opine that either Stanley or Muriel will be his conqueror. The Handicap Hurdle Race of 70 sovs, two miles, comes next, and with only Belmont, Tupara, and lima eliminated, the good field of ten. remains. Commenting on the handicaps last week, I expressed my opinion that whatever beats Aorere will win, and I picked Marechai Neil as next best. Now to put in another to supply the other place I shall pick Bombardier, and shall placethem— Aorere, 1 ; Marechai Neil, 2 ; Bombardier, 3.

The Zealandia Handicap of 50sovs, five furlongs, is the succeeding item. Here we have only a couple of nonacceptors, which leaves 13 “contents.” It should in justice to the handicapper also be mentioned that St. Clements, one of the non-acceptors, met with an injury the other day which rendered him incapable of being further trained for the present. If His Worship be started for this in preference to reserving him for the Takapuna Cup, he should just about win, but I expect the Cup will have more attraction for his owner. Waltzer is another entitled to great respect, if he be not a competitor in the Maiden Plate. As the acceptors are at present, Warrior heads the list at 8.4, and though he has run a good five furlongs on the course I think the weight will anchor him now. Lady Belle would have a show at 8.2 if she had been up long enough, but as she has not I must discard her. When writing last week I expressed the opinion that Tamar would get a nice 5 furlongs with 7.8 if in the humour. That little “ if” again comes in, but, nevertheless, reckoning that some of them may go out 1 efore the numbers are hoisted, I shall have Tamar on my side. Stamford, 7.0, may effect a surprise, but I shall go for Tamar to win, with His Worship or Warrior (whichever is sent from the stable) next best, and Stamford third. The Takapuna Cup of 200sovs, one mile and a-half, which is the piece de resistance of the day’s card, has an acceptance of 11, the absentees being Impulse (who was scratched soon after the weights appeared), Pinfire, Hegel, Stranger, Tulloch, Lady Belle, Waltzer, and Sir Roland. When the weights appeared I selected Impulse, Pinfire, and Ingorina to supply the winner, with Ida as a good outsider, and I must say I was extremely surprised at the defection of Impulse and Pinfire — the latter especially. The respective stables in which they are trained have, however, curiously enough, each left in another representative, Kean’s being represented by Lottie and the Papakura establishment by Glaucus. Glaucus I will not have at all, and though perhaps Kean has supplied what looks like a strong tip by withdrawing Impulse and leaving Lottie in, I think Coalscuttle will beat the daughter of Muskapeer, wherever they may finish in the race. It must not be understood, though, that I am much enamoured of Coalscuttle’s chance. Far from it, for unless her form in the A R.C. Handicap was all wrong she cannot have much show now. Morion has lately been so much of a disappointment that I must decline to stand him at 8.10. Ingorina, 8.0, and Ida, 7.8, I intend to stick by, though, and I cannot help

thinking that Tit, 7.8, will be able to cut out a decent mile and a half. Of those below her I would certaiuly stand to His Worship if I thought he would run, and if he start I expect him and Tit to fight out a battle for third place behind Ingorina and Ida, whom I fancy will finish first and second in that order. The Calliope Handicap of 70sovs, six furlongs, for two-year-olds, only had one malcontent, and that was the minimum weight Jennie. Thus a septette is left. I thought that perhaps Eve’s 9.2 would not be agreeable to her owner, but though well weighted up to her best performance, he has not shirked the contest with her. While I think she will run well in spite of her big weight, I expect, as I indicated last week, that both Royal Rose and Captivity will beat her, Captivity for choice. The Handicap Maiden Steeplechase of SOsovs, about three miles, has a dozen acceptors, Nero and lima being the only two that have dropped out. Maritana, 10.12, and Blue Ribbon, 9.12, are the pair I stick to, and if they are beaten it may be by Kate The Borough Handicap of 30sovs, six furlongs, is rather a difficult race to pick because many of the ten engaged have accepted for other races during the day, and there is therefore a doubt about what will start. All in, Acacia and Muriel seem to me most worthy of support, and with that expression of opinion I shall leave it. Mr Knight has every reason to feel highly gratified at the fact that only one horse has declined his adjustment for the Stewards’ Handicap of 65sovs, six furlongs and a half, and that is St. Clements, who is at present hors de combat. The splendid acceptance of 17 leaves us with a puzzle extremely hard to pick—the more so as there are earlier engagements for several of the nags to fulfil. Warrior, Waltzer, and His Worship all read dangerous at the weights allotted them, but perhaps it will be better to select a fresh horse and go for Stranger, and Como, who is a bit handy over a short course, may be next best. The only items of the second day’s card with which I can deal (the weights will not be declared till Saturday night) are the Takapuna Stakes for three-year olds, one mile one and three quarter furlongs ; and the Handicap Steeplechase of 150sovs, about 3| miles. For the former various circumstances have contributed to reduce the field to a trio. Brown Alice, His Worship and Sir Roland, and after her Great Northern Derby form Brown Alice should have little difficulty in beating the brace opposed to her. The Handicap Steeplechase is likely to have a good deal of light thrown upon it by the results of the Hurdle and Maiden Steeplechase on the Saturday, but as the weights at present stand I feel inclined to divide my suffrages between the two top weights Aorere and Fishmonger, with Carronade for an outside chance.

The privileges for the meeting were sold on Friday by Messrs. Tonks and Co., and realised the following prices : — Outside booth, sole right, £Bl, Mr P. Quinlan; grand stand bar, £6l, Mr James Hawkins ; refreshment stalls, £l4 15s, Mrs Mclntosh ; cards, £42, Scott Printing Company ; gates, £145, Mr E. W. Alison.