NEW ZEALAND CUP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 207, 12 July 1894, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND CUP.

The declaration of the weights for the New Zealand Cup draws attention to the fact that another racing season is about to commence. The local mare Merganser holds pride of place with 9.8. Fit and well on the day I am certain she would make things merry, but remembering that it is a bad time of the year for mares, and as she has been under a Cloud for some time past, I must pass her by. Prime Warden, 8.8, I don’t like, but Au Revoir, 8.6, and Liberator, 8.4, seem well in. Hippomenes 8.4, Clanranald 8.3, and Rosefeldt 8.3 are, I think, held safe by Skirmisher, 8.3, who may repeat his sire’s performance as a four-year-old. Saracen, 8.2, has been on the shelf for some time, but would, even if strung up to concert pitch, I think have a very small show of scoring. Rangipuhi 8.0, Pegasus 7.13, and Beadonwell 7.1 1 read better than Vogengang 7.13, Lady Zetland 7.12, and Impulse 7.9. Lottie, 7.8, has yet to prove herself a stayer and, provided she answers this question correctly, will have to be reckoned with. Ich Dien, 7.8, has a chance, but I can’t stand any of the others till I come to Outpost, 7.3, who, if he trains on alright, will require watching. Lakeshell, 7.3, and Magazine, 7 3, I do not care for, but Artilleur, 7.2, I must have on my side. Mahaki, 7.2, has yet to show that he is good enough for a race of this kind. Of the next dozen I like Westmere, 7.0, best, and then we come to Leontini. who if anything like as good as he was supposed to be should make things very merry with only 6.12 on his back. Goosander, 6.12, has a great private reputation, which, so far, she has failed to sustain. Of the remaining horses Grenadier 6.12, Needlegun 6.11, and Marino 6.11, read best to my idea. To select a baker’s dozen at this stage I shall take Au Revoir, Liberator, Skirmisher, Beadonwell, Lottie, Ich Dien, Outpost, Artilleur, Westmere, Leontini, Grenadier, Needlegun and Marino, holding a great preference for Skirmisher and Au Revoir.