TAKAPUNA WINTER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 199, 17 May 1894, Page 6

TAKAPUNA WINTER MEETING.

Our local handicappers have been decidedly successful in their recent adjustments. Last week I expressed my opinion that Mr Evett had acquitted himself well of his entries in connection with the A.R.C. Steeplechase, and this week I feel it necessary to cordially approve of Mr W. Knight’s excellent work -ra connection with the Takapuna Jockey Club’s Winter Meeting. Most satisfactory acceptances have resulted from the handicapper’s work, and the Takapuna Club may thank Mr Knight for this good reply from horse owners. In the Handicap Maiden Plate seven horses have accepted, fourteen have cried content for the First Hurdles, a dozen have done the same in the Pony. Race, ten ’chasers have accepted for the First Steeples, eleven are left in the Royal Handicap, and there is an evenly matched quintette in the Britannia Handicap. A nice result, indeed, and one that should induce a fine attendance at the Shore on Saturday. As for the prospects for these half-dozen races, this is my opinion. In the Handicap Maiden

Plate of 30 sovs, one mile, 1 think that Dorothy with all her 9.4 will be a hard mare to beat. She’s a fine one at her work on the track, and if she always ran up to her private form she would soon work her way out of the Maiden class. Ladybird will be beaten by those weighted below her, and so will Edna. Swiftsure has been rubbed into great form by Harrison, and may be expected to run well forward, and St. Mary at 7.7 does not incline herself to me. St. Patrick, 7.7, looks the pick of the bunch, and he should win. The weight will suit him to a T, and to pick it in one I would put my trust in the namesake of the Irish patron saint. He will meet with most opposition from Dorothy and Swiftsure. The order may be St. Patrick, Dorothy and Swiftsure. There’s a prospect of a fine field for the First TT an di cap Hurdle Race of 50 sovs, one mile and three-quarters, and there should be a fine fight for a win. Belmont, 10.7, heads the list, but I don’t fancy his chance. Pansy has a chance on her recent running, and so has Fishmonger, 9.8, although the descendant of Izaak Walton has disappointed terribly of late. To understand Ids work is beyond me. He has been given every chance consistent with fairness in recent handicaps, and that he has winning ability I’m certain. But the melancholy fact remains he has not come off. But his time may be coming. Bombardier I don’t much care for, and the same remark applies to Skittles. Chester is another who will not get my vote, nor will Ika Vuka. Catchem is unknown to me, but I believe this candidate has been shaping well in stick practice at Ellerslie lately. Try Fluke is a stranger to me, and so is Belle, but I’m afraid from what I know of her that danger lies in her name. Warrior is not out of it, neither Killaloe by a long way. He’ll trouble the top weights I’m willing to prophesy. Salute is not my fancy, nor is the pony Platch, despite the minimum award of 9.0. Looking back through the weights, I fancy for a trio Killaloe, Fishmonger and Pansy, and the Irish named one may win. Warrior will not be far out of it. Now for the Pony Race, and a nice thing it is to pick wich a dozen acceptors. Norina is top weight with 8.12, but I doubt her ability to give weight to those lower down on the list. Kathleen has 8.5, and she’s a smart pony. At 6£ furlongs the two-year-old Brown Mantle won’t last with them, and the next name Little Tom, 7.12, is a warm one. With 101 b less Carbuncle must have a chance, and my picking is Little Tom, Carbuncle, and Kathleen. The oddly distanced Brittania Handicap of 60 sovs, nine and three-quarter furlongs, has the poorest acceptances, only a quintette having notified their intention of starting. I think the pick of the bunch is First Nelson and Sunbeam, and St. Kilda is the next best. I don’t care for the top weight in the Steeplechase. With 11.0 I don’t think Potentate will show very brilliant form. The second one on the weight list, Parnell, has a show, and of the others Fishmonger reads well. And so does Belle. With Parnell and Fishmonger she is the best. Out of the eleven acceptors for the 5|- furlongs, Royal Handicap, I incline most to the chances of Tingara, Brown Mantle and Ivy, and Brown Mantle may win.