THE MELBOURNE CUP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 168, 12 October 1893, Page 5

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

Between now and November 4th, the opening day of the Victoria Racing Club’s Spring Meeting, there will doubtless be a considerable change in the list of horses that will face the fall of the flag for the big V.R.C. event, so that any notes respecting the candidates chances may be sadly discounted during the next three weeks. In view, however, of the interest that is being taken in double betting, I will endeavour to make a selecfrom the accepted horses at present in the race of those whom I most fancy. When Mr Dakin announced his decision regarding the handicaps, my colleague, ‘ Sir Launcelot,’ in reviewing the weights expressed his opinion that a rather high start had been made by the V.R.C. handicapper in commencing his list of imposts at 9.10, at which figure Strathmore was fixed. Last year the same colt had 9.8 against him, and ‘ Sir Launcelot’s’ view that the weight was a bit too much appears to have been shared by the owner, for The Admiral now stands at the head of the list at 9.9. Last year The Admiral started with 9.1 on his back, but the additional 81bs awarded him is not too heavy a burden when his victories subsequent to the last V.R.C. Cup are taken into account. The way this horse has raced since last November shows that his performance during that wretched scramble through the mud when Glenloth obtained the victory, was no criterion of the animal’s capabilities. He is pretty well sure to face the flag, but I may say at once that I do not regard him as a probable winner. His weight is a fairly tidy one for the Melbourne Cup distance, and the field he will have to face includes some sterling performers. Zalinski at 9.6 is overweighted. Camoola parries 1 lb less, and will run better than

most people think. In the race for the Spring Stakes Camoola was not at all fit, so that it is not fair to estimate his chance by that display. Every horse has his day off, and that was undoubtedly Camoola’s afternoon off. The run for his Randwick Plate saw him fit and well, and look at the race he made on that occasion. Therefore I class him as a decidedly dangerous horse should he start, and I think he will. Malvolio, 94, and Portsea, 9.2, both should have a good say and the latter I regard as a really good thing for double bettors to pick in conjunction with Caulfield Cup fancies. His weight is only 61b more than the impost he so successfully carried in the Australian Cup. Glenloth has 9.1, and is very much out of it. Last year when he galloped home to victory through the slush he only carried 7.13, and the fact that he has stood his training very indifferent, in conjunction with the weight awarded, makes me regards his chance dickey. From an Australian letter I learn that Mr Carmody is very daubtful whether he will start, and even if he does ne will not carry much stable money. Sternchaser, at 9.0, has a very heavy mortgage on one of the winning positions. Fortunatus and Ascot Vale, 8.12, and Sir William and Vakeel, at jlb less, I do not fancy, but Correze, with 8.9, should run a good race. The scratching pen has been run through this candidate’s name for the Caulfield Cup, which shows that the owner’s intention is the bigger event. Glancing down at the other Bst odd weights, nothing strikes me so favourably as Swordbearer, 8.7, and I would commend the attention of double bettors to Swordbearer as a good companion for any horse they may fancy for the Caulfield Cup. Donation and Ronda at 8.6 have a stiff weight, and nothing else in the eight stone division has a chance if Little Bernie, 8.2, is excepted. There are three dozen seven stoners still in the list, and the most likely I take to be J 5 7.8, Light Artillery 7 7, Jeweller 7.7, All There 7.4, Gaillardia 7.3, and Loyalty 7.3, and if the last named does not make things hum I shall be greatly mistaken. Humphrey Oxenham’s Solanum heads the six stone division at 6.13, and should run a good race, and Trenchant is well worth backing. Pulvil, 6.12, one of the J. B. Clark string by Chester —Perfume, looks well at the weight allotted, but Carrington, 6.11, has disappointed too many backers to merit any confidence. The other light weights I have no fancy for. Taking the list as it stands at present I should select The Admiral, Portsea, Loyalty, Camoola, Swordbearer, Jeweller, and Little Bernie, as the most probable seven to furnish the winner. The next week or two will see a further thinning out of the card, and I will then endeavour to narrow down my selections.