A.R.C. SECOND SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 168, 12 October 1893, Page 6

A.R.C. SECOND SPRING MEETING.

[By

SIR LAUNCELOT.]

Mr Evett has really become most eccentric in his adjustments of late. At one time he makes a nice flattering handicap that is likely to attract visitors, while on the next occasion he rushes to the opposite extreme. These remarks are prompted by the appearance of his adjustment for the Prince of Wales’ Handicap, one mile and a half. Poor little Brigand’s owner must have opened his eyes very wide, I should say, when he saw him given post of honour at 8.10. That second in last season’s Auckland Cup has not been forgotten by Mr Evett, but it is certainly no warranty for the little son of Brigadier to be asked to carry 8.10. What about Van Dieman who has been lying fallow for so long, but whom we may expect to see put his best foot foremost at any moment ? Why should Brigand give him 31b ? I don’t care for Brown Alice at 8.7, nor Ingorina at 8.2, but if Royal Rose is ready he is nicely handicapped at 7.12. With his usual leniency Mr Evett puts Ida in at 7.11, and she should take a lot of beating. Sylvia Park, 7.9, is a three-year-old colt by St. Leger out of Atalar.ta, and therefore half-brother to Paddy, and full-brother to Hippomenes and Regel. If he be even half as speedy as either of that pair he will win a good race or two for his New Plymouth owner. Taking the weights and the running for the Spring Handicap and comparing them with the present handicap—duly remembering, of course, that this is a quarter of a mile further than the Spring Handicap—what do we find :—Coalscuttle gave Eve 1 lb, now gives her 31b (Eve was never in it); she gave Tulloch 61b as against 41b now, and as regards the pair that went to cut one another’s throats, Annabelle and His Worship, and so nearly upset the good thing ; she is set to give His Worship 81b and Annabelle 1 zlb, as compared with 141 b to Annabelle and gib to His Worship in the Spring Handicap. These are a few solemn figures that tell a lot. Unless Van Dieman be re-called to active service, which doesn’t seem very probable, I take it that the finish will lie between Ida and Coalscuttle, the former for choice, and with His Worship and Annabelle fighting their battle over again for the barren honours of third place. The Hurdle Handicap of 80 sovs, two miles, Mr Evett heads with Mangere, whom he assumes to be gib better than Satyr, an opinion in which I concur, but as Mr Nathan’s horse is not likely to be present on the day. the question need not be discussed now. Marechai Neil is rightly handicapped at 10.9, and with Mr McLeod’s luck well in in the walking line just now. I shall expect the Marechai to win, with Belmont and Fright next best. Acceptances do not close till the 20th inst.