NEW ZEALAND CUP.

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

NEW ZEALAND CUP.

The day of the New Zealand Cup is rapidly approaching, and as some of the candidates have been airing themselves in public lately a few remarks as to their chances in the big handicap will be apropos. Since the scratching of Mer gan-er, St. Hippo is left at the head of the weights with 9.10 against his name. A week ago it was exceedingly hard to get any money at a decent figure against Mr Nathan’s representative, but early this week a decided change came over the books, and 100 to 12 was freely offered. A good deal of money was taken at that price, but there was no evidence of the figures shortening at the time of writing. What has caused this move in the market it is hard to say. The only explanation in the absence of any ill news respecting the way St. Hippo is preparing is that a fair amount of hedging is going on. Very likely’ this is the explanation, and for the majority of backers I hope such is the case, for were Mr Nathan’s candidate to go down a good many favourite followers would be badly hit. Should St. Hippo face the starter those who have backed him may rely upon a grand run for their money, and the horse that leads him past the post will require a speedy pair of heels. Stepniak, 9.1, has a nice weight in view of his previous wins, and since Mr Stead’s colt’s running at the A.J.C. Meeting at Randwick, it is safe to assume he will carry a tidy lump of money over the twomile run for the thousand sovs. Prime Warden at 8.7 is not badly treated in view of his running down South in the Otago, Canterbury, and Dunedin Cups, Forbury Handicap, S.C.J.C. Handicap, &c., and although I do not expect to see the Hobbs colt take either first or second I fully expect to see him very close up at the finish, Clanranald 8.6, Boulanger

8.4, and Hippomenes 8.3, will find the two mile course rather long, and neither of this trio are much fancied as stayers. The Workman should be very handy at 8.3, and St. Katherine should carry her 8.2 easily. Of the two I prefer the former as the more likely to be racing when the straight is reached. Blizzard having been scratched Dilemma, Palliser, Skirmisher, Fraternite, Liberator, Au Revoir, Westmere, Thame, Melinite, and Rosefeldt are the seven stone odd lot, and of the ten I prefer Skirmisher. The seven stone division includes the names of Tempest, Captive, Dishonour, St. Anthony, Royal Rose, and Outpost, but I hardly think this contingent will furnish anything dangerous. The way Pegasus ran in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas must have heartened his backers, but on the second day he ran very indifferently in the Spring Handicap, and showed anything but New Zealand Cup form. Unless he shows a decided improvement I am inclined to regard his chance of victory in the Cup as hopeless. The lightweight brigade are all fairly weighted, but 1 would not pick any one to back for the two mile gallop. As the list stands at present, and providing the scratching pen does not affect them I would take St. Hippo and Stepniak as the most likely to fill first place, and Prime Warden, The Workman, Skirmisher, and Pegasus to fill the second and third positions.