Coming Events.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 280, 5 December 1895, Page 6

Coming Events.

[by

BORDERER.]

AUCKLAND CUP AND STEELECHASE.

Since the publication of Mr Evett’s handicaps for the Auckland Cup and Summer Steeplechase,, the adjustments have been very favourably criticised, and, after a careful examination of the work, I have to add my quota of applause. The fields are well brought together, and though there are a few flaws noticeable —the man who can make a perfect handicap has not yet been found —it is certain the handicapping will result in good acceptances. In the Auckland Cup, St. Hippo, of course, heads the list, 9.9 being his impost. At 31b over weight-for-age and 141 b in. excess of the burden he successfully carried in this Cup as a three-year-old, the famous son of St. Leger has been given an undoubted chance,, and everything going well with him up to the race day, Mr Nathan’s horse would certainly make his opponents skip along lively to leave him in the rear. His daily tasks are bringing him. along in satisfactory fashion, and, so far, there is not a suspicion that the demon of will clip the big fellow’s wings. Later on, his track runs will give a better inkling as to his prospects, but on paper he is well placed and stands out as one of the best in the handicap. North Atlantic has three pounds less than his New Zealand Cup weight, and, though he failed in that contest, there is ample room for the belief that he was not too fit on Euroclydon’sday. Mahaki, if fit, is well placed at 8.10, but the Maori-owned animal went into Queer Street some time back, and has not yet been noticed leaving that undesirable thcroughfare. So he can at present be left alone. The Possible (8.7) ik an animal for whom I have very decided respect. By Norden feldt, from Realisation (dam of Maxim), he is bred in the purple, and put some tidy journeys to his credit during his four-year-old career. At Rand wick, in the Sprifig Maiden Stakes, he carried 8.7 over twelve furlongs in 2min 45 J sec, beating Atlas and Chesterman, to whom he was conceding 121 b ; and, in the V.R.C. Free Handicap, he jogged along under similar weight over a mile and a quarter in 2min 9jsec, beating Newman and Preston, to whom he gave half a stone. His last three runs as a four-year-old were seconds to that rare piece of feminine horseflesh, Auraria, the Melbourne Cup and V.R.C. Oaks heroine. And, on those occasions, he gave the filly the benefit of close on three dozen lbs. Of course, it is well to have a horse that has got sixteen furlongs, but though The Possible has not yet got beyond a mile and a half I do not forsake him for that. At any rate, I would, rather stand him than his stable companion, Bessie McCarthy. It is unnecessary to point out what sort of a show Euroclydon has with 8.7 against his name. A better three-year-old it would be hard to find, and at 21bs under St. Hippo’s Auckland Cup burden he looks particularly well treated. I have one or two Dunedin opinions to the effect that he is behind St. Hippo’s three-year-old capacity; but if he strips for this Cup it will take a good aged one to put him down. However, the Derby will certainly be fought by him, whereas he may not fight the Cup. This is, of course, pure conjecture; but Casket might after all be G-oodman’s sole runner in the Cup. The Castor colt is well in, and, as maybe judged from his very easy win in last year’s Dunedin Cup, when he smothered Lady Zetland, Prime Warden, Skirmisher, &c., he can. get over a distance of ground. Three Star, at 7.6, is assessed at 21bs over his weight in the N.Z. Cup as a three-year-old. Since then he hashad a year’s spell, and has grown into a nicelooking horse. Folly has been backed at 100 to 5, but the distance is too far and the company too select. Solitaire (7.2) has 81bs over the weight given her in the N.Z. Cup; but I can’t see her or any other light-weight in this Cup in view of the heavy metal higher np the list. I overlooked Impulse, who, if well, will brush away the dust thrown on his laurels in the last N.Z. Cup. Ha

meets Iris weighting in that Cup on 31bs better terms, and Pegasus has lib less than Mr Henry gave him. Of the pair I prefer Impulse. St. Hippo, The Possible, and Euboqlydon look the three best to select by those venturesome critters, early backers. In the Steeplechase Roscius (12.5) has 51bs more than he had when he stalked away with our Summer Steeplechase last year. The double backers are picking on him in confident fashion, but although his run last year gives him a taking appearance it should be remembered he had no Mutiny or Tiritea to beat in that race. Down at Riccarton last August when the N.Z. Grand National ’chase was decided, Mutiny took Gibs from Roscius and gave him a distinct beating. With 71bs advantage at Ellerslie I think Mutiny will again prove the better. And Tirjteu, who gave Mutiny 7lbs and a beating at Napier last July, is to my mind a better spec, than the topweight. Bombardier has improved a lot of late and is much more reliable over country since his owners have given him a fair amouut of racing over hurdles. The Brigadier gelding new takes off at his walls quicker and with more accuracy than he used to. Fishmonger is always to be reckoned with, and at 10.8 the old battle-axe may earn another load of corn for Mr Hayr. Belle at 10.4 (41bs above her winning weight in the last A.R.C. Autumn Steeplechase) is as good a thing as there is in the handicap, and should she contest the race will keep the field busy right through the journey. Mozel is another welltreated one, and Levanter if he clears walls is ditto. But I prefer them seasoned. The lastnamed animal was introduced to the big walls last week, and did not make too good a showing, but he will, doubtless, improve under John Rae’s tuition. If he takes to big country he must stand a big chance here. Early birds in search of the pencilling worm will not lean against rotten reeds in Tibitea, Mutiny, and Belle.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB SPRING MEETING.

The popular Takapuna Jockey Club will provide racing men with an afternoon’s sport next Saturday, when the Spring programme of the T.J.C. will be discussed. Mr Knight’s handicaps ,have secured a capital acceptance in spite of the dissatisfaction expressed in several quarters on the declaration of weights, and it is {certainly somewhat surprising to find some of the leading grumblers figuring as acceptors. On paper, several of them have no chance, but perhaps their animals have made an improvement that will upset the “on paper” theory. Webley, for instance, may be able to beat the Maiden Platers with 9 0 on his back, and the Spring Handicap sprinters on the same mark as the Auckland Guineas winner (Fabulist) and above The Sharper, but on past deeds I don’t see where his chance comes in. But, if the Webley people are content, it is no business of other people. The privileges for the meeting brought prices that speak volumes for the: anticipations of those who speculated, and certainly there is every reason why the sanguine expectations indulged in should be realised. A popr meeting at the popular seaside club would be a novelty, and, with the fields promised, I don’t think such a novelty will be experienced. . /Taking the events to be decided, it must be admitted that those who win will need to be strong in the spirit of prophecy. Except in the Hurdle Race, the runners are very numerous and v/-,ill no doubt bring about some more of those “)turn-ups” for which the Takapuna course is noted. A dozen maidens have accepted for the Maiden Plate of 30 sovs, one mile, The Sharper heading the list with 9.4. On recent form he should be beaten. Retaliation looks fairly well yin this race, but her recent jumping essays may /not have improved her pace. The best-looking J thing in this handicap is Cleopatra, who has been

well treated with 7.6. At the last Winter Meeting, at Takapuna, she won the Welter Mile from a good field, under 7.7, in Imin 51 sec, so, surely, at 11b less next Saturday, she must take a lot of beating. However, she has two other engagements on the day, so may not start in the Maiden. If she does, she is my straight out fancy. The St. Leger —Jessie colt, Rex, who has not been out for a long time, promises to make his reappearance in this event, but I know nothing of his form. Miss Nelson (7.2) has a chance here. I fancy Cleopatba or Miss Nelson. In the Maiden Hurdles there is a lot of unknown stuff. St. Patrick, even with 11.0, will nearly win, and, for a pair, I’ll name St. PatbicK and D6bothY. If an upset takes place, the disturber may be the light weight Economy. Of the half-dozen in the Hurdles, Belmont, at 10.7, is a very likely winner, but Warrior, at 10.12, is treated well enough to score. With 10.10 on his back, he won the A.R.C. Second Hurdles in November of last year, winning in 3min 38sec. We have not seen him out since his display in Liberator’s Grand National, but if ready next Saturday he will shake the stake. Belmont and Wabbiob are my pair. In the Steeplechase, Bombardier has 12.2, and, though on his native heath, should find Fishmonger hard to beat, seeing that the latter is in receipt of 121bs. Cingalee, at 11.0, will run well, and of the remaining twelve, I can’t see anything to beat Mozel and Ika, particularly the last-named. For a couple, I fancy Ikaand Fishmongeb. Nine have accepted for the big stake of the day—the St. Andrew’s Handicap, of 100 sovs, one mile and a quarter—sixteen horses having been paid up for. Pegasus, 8.8, is said to be a certain starter, and has been doing good work at Ellerslie, but I hardly think the journey far enough to enable him to do justice to what ability he possesses. Folly has 71b above the weight she beat Blarney with in th© A.R.C. City Handicap, but for all that she has a big show. The Auckland Guineas winner, Fabulist, is my weakness for this race, although in