Coming Events.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 275, 31 October 1895, Page 7

Coming Events.

[by

BORDERER.]

CANTERBURY J.C. METROPOLITAN MEETING.

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. PROSPECTS OF THE MEETING. Owing to extreme pressure on our space, I am unable to do the usual “ spread ” re the Cup. The notes by our Christchurch correspondent appearing in this column give a good idea of the prospects of the various Candida*es. I may say that, in my opinion, Hobbs’ or Stephenson’s Selected will cover the winner. NOTES FROM CHRISTCHURCH. OUR CORRESPONDENT’S SELECTIONS.

The New Zealand Cup meeting commences this day week, and if the weather holds good there is every prospect of a most successful gathering. The tracks now are in fine order. The Spring Hurdle Race, two miles, is the first event, acceptances for which are due on Thursday. I fancy Clarence, Osman, The Plug, and Mainstay will run well. The Maiden Plate entries have yet to be made, following which comes the

New Zealand Cup. Of those remaining in it is probable that Mahaki, Waiuku, Q,uiltiri, Loveshot, and Rip Van Winkle will not see the post, and it is quite on the cards that Messrs Hobbs, Ormond, Gollan, and Stephenson may scratch one of their candidates. North Atlantic has been going well since he came down, as also has his stable coinpanion, Solitaire. It is held by many that the Eiridspord filly is better than North Atlantic, but until I have ocular demonstration to that effect I shall doubt that opinion. We know that North Atlantic is a brilliant horse, and as Solitaire has so far only run in public in short races I prefer the top-weight of the two. Nothing definite is known of the Ashburton contingent, who have not yet arrived at Riccarton. I believe Lady Zetland or Prime Warden will be the selected of the stable, although I notice that the mare’s name does not appear in the Dunedin Autumn nominations, whilst both Prime Warden and Chaos are nominated. Sternchaser and Bessie McCarthy (reported to be lame) are trained privately, but of these 1 take it that the former will be the representative. Impulse is doing better every day, and showed up well in a gallop with Pegasus ibis morning. Of these two Impulse will probably prove the better, although I must say that Major George’s horse has been heavily suppported. If as suggested to you, he can do “ 31 ” he will win, but it takes a real good one to do that. Skirmisher I have no fancy for. He showed up well, however, on Monday in a gallop with Waiuku, but on Saturday his work did not please the onlookers. I have not much fancy for Aldershot, and still less for Magazine, but Marino has done a good preparation under the guidance of the

veteran Bob Ray, and when this trainer takes the trouble to be up with the worms it may be taken for granted that Marino is not a bad prad. Some argue that he has done little in public to justify his position in the betting market, and while I admit this to be true he has apparently satisfied the watchers at Riccarton of his ability. Outpost or Gipsy Grand may run prominently, but Ido not think either can win. It is thought that the three-year-old will represent the stable. The Artist is a good-looking horse, and should have a chance if the going be heavy. Loveshot and Q.uiltiri may not start, and if they did could scarcely win on running. Euroclydon is looking and galloping nicely. My opinion is that one of Hobbs’ horses will win, and I fancy Lady Zetland will be that one, with Impulse and Marino in the places. It is just possible that it may be necessary to alter my opinion after’the acceptances, but, if so, I will wire to that effect. Of the large field in the Riccarton Welter, I liave most fancy for Vogengang (10.12), Lord Zetland (10.7), Artilleur (9.7), Silver Spec (10.2), Bloodshot (9.12), Toxa (9.9), and Ambush (9.0). Of the large number of youngsters engaged in the Welcome Stakes, it is difficult to select the probable winner. The training sprints are of little assistance to the scribe (first one and then another seemingly have the best of it), so I prefer to stick to public form, and select The Hon. Ormond’s Best, probably Daring, to win. The St. Leger — Bangle filly is fast, and should run prominently; as Mr Stead’s best is sure to do.

Salvo, Silver Spec, Goodwood, Artilleur, and Jewel should run well in the Ladies’ Purse ; and Silver Spec and the first and last-named will take a lot of beating. I have previously dealt with the Stewards’ Handicap, and am of opinion that whatever beats Warrington, if he is well, will win. Mauser, Vogengang, and Saracen are nicely treated ; and Solitaire will have to be reckoned with if reserved for this event. Mannlicher • should win the Derby with Euroclydon handy. The Curragh Steeplechase, on the third day, should produce a good contest between Mutiny, Clarence, and Seddon. So far as I can gather, the Cup horses will probably be ridden by the following : —North Atlantic (Derrett), Prime Warden (F. Cochrane), Bessie McCarthy (Thompson), Sternchaser (Stratford), Impulse (G. Smith), Lady Zetland (Mann), Skirmisher (Clarke), Waiuku (Russell), Pegasus (Davis), Magazine’ (Wilson), Marino (Connop), Gipsy Grand (Payne), The Artist (Jenkins), Aldershot (Kingan), Euroclydon (McCoombe), Solitaire (White). These are subject to correction. It is now raining hard, and has every appearance of continuing. The latest report from Ashburton is to the effect that Prime Warden did a good mile gallop yesterday. Lady Zetland and Chaos are also reported as going well.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB SECOND SPRING MEETING.

The general entries in connection with the Auckland Racing Club Second Spring Meeting are decidedly satisfactory, and the acceptance sheet for the Prince of Wales and Hurdle Handicap and the Guineas is quite as good as could have been expected. Last year these three events only attracted nineteen horses, but this time twentyfour have toed the mark. In the Guineas there is every promise of an exciting contest, and the two visiting horses, Ngatuere and Orion’s Belt, may be expected to give the local aspirants a merry run over the mile. The Wanganui Derby winner, Ngatuere, will, the Coasters fancy, score an easy victory, but Fabulist and Forma can be depended upon to keep up the Ellerslie end in doughty fashion. The.Formo filly, Forma, has a 51b ' advantage and will just about beat her field- Levanter is the popular idea as regards the hurdle race, and no doubt he will run well, but Bonovoree should be hard to beat. I have ■ an idea that Dorothy will give this handicap a bad shaking. In the Prince of Wales Handicap St. Clements looks the best of good things, but Folly and Haria should race well, and the coastal horse Blarney is fancied by his party. Mr Evett’s adjustments for the President’s, Pony, Shorts, and Flying handicaps were published last Tuesday, and require the attention of owners to-morrow, when acceptances must, be declared. The weighting is framed on sound lines, and should extract a favourable answer from owners. The work will be slipped into the various candidates from this out, and with the winding-up work and acceptances in front of me I will gi ve

my ideas of the chances in our next issue- The < track and surroundings at Ellerslie are in splendid condition, and everything points to a most successful meeting.

THE V.R.C. SPRING CARNIVAL.

The final acceptances for this year’s Melbourne Cup pan out Ahead of the figures for the past three years. Twelve months ago the acceptance sheet bore 37 names, just one over the numbers received in 1892 and 1893, when Glenloth and Tarcoola smote the punting division. This year 39 horses have acceepted, so that a big field is a certainty. The five-year-old Trenton horse, Delaware, has been going well, both on the. training track and in the betting market, in which he holds premier position. But favourites are apt to leave you in the lureh in Melbourne Cup runs. The winner generally flops up from the outside division. Hova’s withdrawal from the Caulfield Cup at the eleventh hour has naturally attracted attention to him in this Cup, and there can be no doubt as to his brilliancy. Staying two miles is, however, another matter. The placed horses in the Caulfield Cup must always be reckoned with at Flemington. Trenchant and Quiver are both in favour for this Melbourne Cup. The mare is my weakness, for accounts of the Caulfield race show that with an outside berth all the way she covered more ground than anything else, and came like a game ’un at the finish. Bravo and Dunlop followed up their Caulfield Cup third positions by annexing the Cup at Flemington. M a l’ eB are well placed in November, especially under the heat of a Melbourne sun and in a large field, but all the same

I fancy this mare’s chance immensely. The Martini-Henry horse, Mahee, has crept into the betting lately, and should run a fine two miles. Picking a Melbourne Cup is a fluke nine and three-quarter times out of ten, unless you have a Carbine to direct you. There are none of his class in this Cup, and in picking you have to shoot in the dark and pray for luck. Every- ’ body says a mare is bad tackle to trust in this race, and that is one reason why I am going to call on Quiver to run forward. “ Everybody ” is generally wrong when it comes to a Melbourne Cup. Our Australian correspondent takes Elswick, Te Whiti, Wallace, and Quiver as the best four in the race, with the first-named as choice. The only other Flemington race l am touching is the V.R.C. Derby, which will be won by Auraria. v