THE CAULFIELD CUP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 168, 12 October 1893, Page 4

THE CAULFIELD CUP.

Saturday next will see the opening ot the Victoria Amateur Turf Club’s Spring race meeting, and as the following Saturday, October 21st, is the day for the Caulfield Cup gallop, I will give a few remarks respecting the chances of the various candidates. Since the weights came out the top impost has come down from 9.13 to 9.5. Cremorne stood at the previous figure, but since then the name has dropped out in favour of the Melbourne Cup, and Fortunatus now heads the list at 9.5. Sternchaser stands at the same figure, and of the two candidates I prefer the former’s chance, thinking as I do that Sternchaser is meant for the V.R.C. big event. Realm comes next with 9.3, but has no show. The last mail quotes this candidate at joo to 2, at which price there is very little support. Paris and Correze, both of whom I had great respect for in connection with this race, have been scratched, so that Ascot Vale comes next on the list with. 8.13. Should this racer start, I am inclined to

believe that the name will be numbered amongst the first four or five horses past the post. More Ido not care to say, as I consider the weight just a bit too much. Lord Hopetoun and Wild Rose at ilb less, viz., 8.12, I do not care for although the former has undoubted merit at the weight. Tarcoola and Vakeel are both weighted at 8.10 and the latter has unquestionably the better chance, although that chance is not too rosy. Malolo carries 8.9, and is said to have stood the training indifferently, and Jonathan, Graduate, Oxide, and Brockleigh were given 8.8, but the latter has incurred a stone penalty for his win in the Epsom Handicap. The cable told us on Monday last that this horse had been installed first favourite, 2000 to 180 having been accepted about his chance. The form shown by Brockleigh at the recent Randwick meeting makes me believe he is a wonderfully good horse, and with even 98 on his back he should show a remarkably quick pair of heels on October 21st. Whether he will win is another matter, for far down the list is Division at 7.8, and this racer will be a very hard nut to crack with such a weight. Still Brockleigh’s chance is a first-class one, and he will, I believe, be amongst the first three and nearer first than third. Oxide is the next best of the 8.8 division. The horses weighted from this down to 7.13 I don’t think have a show unless it is Little Bernie, 8.6, whose great run in the Epsom Handicap makes me regard this cannidate as one that will be closely behind the leaders when the last fight takes place. In the Epsom Handicap Little Bernie came at the last with startling rapidity, and snatched second place from Lullaby and Lady Trenton. Jeweller, at 7.12, is decidedly dangerous, but of late this animal has receded somewhat in the betting. Warpaint, at 7.9, was at one time much fancied but I don’t care about the chance. Warpaint’s drawback is, I fancy, want of heart. Division, at 7.8, has a great chance, and will undoubtedly finish in the first flight Amongst the light weight brigade I like Mahee, 7.0, and I'im Swiveller, 7.5. Fulham, 7.13, I regard with respect, and as the last mail stated he was in great fettle I regard him as a very likely performer indeed. Fulham is a stayer, and with the weight allotted him will be strongly in evidence in the Cup. Strahan, the winner of the Armadale Handicap, and about whose chance in the Caulfield Cup to 2s 6d was wagered, has a show with the slight impost of 6.7. The others named in the acceptance list I regard as out of it. In conclusion I will select Brockleigh, Jeweller, Ascotvale, Fortunatus, Division, and Fulham, as those I believe will fill first and second places. The first mentioned three should provide the winner, and the latter trio the second horse.