Coming Events.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 176, 7 December 1893, Page 5

Coming Events.

[By

“Borderer.”]

OTAHUHU AND ONEHUNGA RACES. The races held under the direction of the Onehunga and Otahuhu Racing Club are set down for decision at the Otahuhu racecourse next Saturday. Mr Evett declared the weights on Tuesday last, but the acceptances not being to hand when we went to press, I am at a disadvantage in giving my anticipations for the various events. Therefore the selections set out below are subject to the scratching pen, and may be considerably discounted by the time the Review reaches the hands of its readers. For the Handicap Maiden Plate, one mile, Vivat is top weight with 8.10, and if she starts, which I doubt very much, she should head the field. ' Caprice at 81bs 16ss looks handy, and of the light weights Maid of Erin at 6.7 seems to me to be the best. Dark Rose at 7.3 holds the seven stone division safe, but I don’t look for the winner to come out of that section. If Vivat does not start to supply the winner I take

Dorothy, Caprice, and Maid of Erin. The weights for the Handicap Hurdles of 30S0VS, one mile and a half, are the reverse of faultless. Mr Evett saw Belmont beat Chester and everything in the run for the Avondale Hurdles last Saturday, and yet Mr Davis’s horse has to meet Belmont on the same terms, viz., slbs advantage. On form Mr McManemin’s gelding has every right to give Chester better terms. Fishmonger, who ran a bad last pretty well all the way at Avondale with 10.8, is asked to carry 11.10, in consequence, I suppose, of his dead heat with Long Roper in the Steeplechase. The field in that race was very different to that which will in all probability face the flag next Saturday, and a three mile steeple is another matter to a mile and a half Hurdle Race. However, his prompt withdrawal from the race is the best answer to the handicapper. Chester I hardly think will risk another beating by Belmont, and even if he were in a better position as regards weight I doubt whether the josovs stake would tempt him. Potentate has only ilb less than Tattler, and cannot have much of a show with Mr Hay Chapman’s horse. Hinemoa has a chance at 9.7, and Otakeho at 10.0 may have to be reckoned with. My fancy for the leaders is Belmont, Tattler and Hinemoa.

In the Spring Handicap, one mile and a quarter, Van Diemen heads the list with 8.6. Ida meets Tulloch on much better terms- than was the case in the Avondale Cup, but I doubt whether the Sword Dance representative will be slipped. Ingorina should do well over the distance with 8.7, and Belmont, at 7.9. if he starts in fighting order, should be very warm. Gay Deceiver runs better over a short sprint than a mile and a quarter, and Annabelle does not impress me favourably in a cut for a mile and over, and I think the winner will lie between Ida and Ingorina. The Handicap Steeplechase of 40S0VS, about 3 miles, looks a healthy thing for Long Roper at 10.10. Parnell heads the list at 11.7, and cannot in my estimation concede the difference in weight to a stayer like Roper. Chester, 11.7, may or may not start. I incline to the latter belief. Maritana may touch up Long Roper, but I doubt it very much, and given a start I must plump for Long Roper. With an impost of 7.11 Gay Deceiver strikes me as a very snug thing for the Flying Stakes. The top weight St. Kilda could not foot it with him in the Avondale Flying Race at very similar weights ; but the name of Mr Sutton’s horse is so typical of him that he may in this case deceive me as he has done many others. On form Annabelle certainly has no right to be on the same mark with him, and I hardly think the lighter weighted division will pass him in a good straight spin. Respecting the top weights, St. Kilda, Ingorina and Tulloch, I hardly know which to pick. The second has 8.12, and over a sprint I don’t fancy his chance, and I am in some doubt whether the Avondale Cup winner will see the flag. At the present time I would pick two to supply the winner, viz.: Gay Deceiver and St. Kilda. The Pony Race has a field of 15 to pick from, and Rodney (top weight) with 8.7 is not a bad one to take for a front position. Topsy has gone up to 8.6, but

she can run a good race at that, and Romeo at 7. 12, ifin racingorder, should show clean heels. Red Rose I see, has, in Mr Evett’s opinion, improved a stone since her unplaced run last Saturday, but her day has not yet arrived in my opinion. By the time it does the handicapper will probably have her up to a fair weight. For leaders my selection is Romeo, Topsy, and Rodney.

The Welter Handicap of a mile has also 15 names in at present, and the top weight, Ingorina, 11.7, will have a voice in this event. Tulloch, 11.3, I hardly regard as a starter, and nothing looks more like a winner than the Waikato mare Minnie. My tip is Minnie, or the top weight.