Coming Events.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 226, 22 November 1894, Page 4

Coming Events.

[By

Borderer.]

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

The reply of horse-owners to the invitation of the Avondale Jockey Club to race on December Ist must be considered highly satisfactory, seeing that last year’s nomination returns are beaten by 21 additional entries. And the quality of the cattle is decidedly good, so, given a fair acceptance list, the meeting should furnish some good racing. The following table shows at a glance the gratifying increase which has occurred as compared with last year’s figures:—

To-morrow the acceptances will be to hand, and on the handicapping the return should be a satisfactory one. The weights are well adjusted, and though the placing of certain horses may be received with practical disfavour, the manner in which Mr. Knight has brought his fields together is distinctly creditable. In the absence of any intimation respecting the intentions of the owners, there is not much benefit to be derived from a discussion as to the chances of the various contestants; but one may glance through the lists and introduce those candidates whose names are new to the average race-goer. We are all well acquainted with the candidates for the Steeplechase, with the exception of. Cingalee and Kiora. The first-named, however, showed us a glimpse of his ability at the Takapuna Meeting, and Kiora (by Mufti out of Mocking Bird) has hack performances that should give a very fair show with 10.0 up. Despised, on performances, cannot grumble at 12.2, and though the Christchurch tracks did not show him up in glowing colours during .the Southern National season, it must be remembered that he has had a big spell and that he is on his native heath. Magpie over country will be a better mark than over the small sticks, fishmonger showed us a return of his old plucky running at the Second A.R.C. Meeting, which should give him an opportunity even with 10.12, especially over country like the Avondale. Malabar, taking 51b. from him, has a chance; and Molly Hawk, at 9.11, will fly the ground. Little Platch, too, tastes like hot coffee at 9.10. Ten stone four is a big burden over 7 furlongs, but St. Kilda is a big horse; and First Nelson and Ingorina, at 7.12, should be difficult to separate in this race —the Mount Albert Handicap. With 7.2 up, Warrior has a chance of proving his pace. Emmet —of Rail fame—promises ta make his appearance in the Maiden Steeplechase, in which Molly Hawk (11.7) is warm, very warm; so is Mystery. There are some strangers in this race that require some introduction. Nello (10.7) claims Lionel as sire ; Satanella is an aged mare, by Piscatorious out of a Harold mare, that raced without success during 189293 and rested all last year; Bogtrotter is a product of Bryan O’Lynn out of an unknown dam ; and Ike Harrison is by Ingomar, dam also unknown. We know Molly Hawk and Mystery to be good ones, and against the field they would not be a bad pair. In the .5 furlong race St. Ella’s breeding gives her 8.4, and in a nicely-weighted field Heart of Oak peeps out with 7.5 against her name. The concluding sentence of the report of my visit to the “ Forth ” stable in August last ran —“ One very distinct impression which I carried away from the Lake establishment was the advisability of keeping my eye on Heart of Oak.’* And my optic is still waiting for the daughter of Nelson and Corcyra. The fourteen Maiden Platers are headed by Campania, a three-year-old, by Robinson Crusoe out of Campanilla, who has been awarded 9.0. St. Ella, the three-year-old sister to St. Clements, shares the same mark, which breeding has been largely responsible for. The lowerweighted ones will have a big tussle with Haria even if the top pair drop out, for I would rather trust Mr. McKinnon’s colt with a weight which will admit of jockey ship than with a feather and the accompanying bolting. However, he can pretty well bolt 7 furlongs, so, jockey or no jockey, he has a big show. Irish Brigade has an unfamiliar twang about him. He is three years old, by Brigadier out of Daphne. Knapsack, who shares the 7.10 mark with Irish Brigade, is a three-year-old, also by Brigadier; and Count La Mont, who may have a future in the jumping line, is a three year-old by New Chum. This race has two very inappropriate names in Britomarte and Satanella, the objections to the nomenclature being evident at a glance. Such duplication of titles would- have been prevented had the A.R.C. delegate been able to carry at the recent Conference the sixth motion entrusted to him, which provided that an owner or nominator could not claim any name which has previously been used. The delegates would have none of the proposed innovation, but it is required for all that. In the Hurdle Race Warrior has been given 11.4. I am inclined to think that Ingomar’s promising hurdling son has well deserved his elevation. Fright

promises to reappear with the 10.9 offered. The weight should not stop him. In the .Cup St. Kilda gives Royal Rose 31b., and very rightly too. In the opinion of many the difference should have been more marked. “ St. Kilda can’t get a mile and a quarter,” some may say. Well, they will alter their views when they see him get Cup distances. In the Pony Handicap Lady Thornton has been given another opportunity of accepting the weight to which her Ashburton double of last autumn entitles her. Mr. Knight .offered the mare 9.6 for the second day’s facing of the last A.R.C. Meeting, but there was no acceptance forthcoming. Penguin is not familiar to me, but report speaks well of this candidate ; and Zulu Maid, down near the bottom of the list, may have a chance.. When the acceptances are available I shall speak definitely respecting the prospects of the meeting.

1893. 1894. Maiden Steeplechase ... 7 13 Handicap Hurdles ... ... 7 12 Handicap Steeplechase ... 6 11 Mount Albert Handicap ... • 8 *11 Avondale Cup ... 7 8 Flying Handicap ... ... 13 15 Maiden Plate ... 14 14 Pony Eace ... ... 17 16 79 100