Coming Events.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 282, 19 December 1895, Page 6

Coming Events.

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AUCKLAND RACING CLUB SUMMER' CARNIVAL. NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS. Once again we are on the eve of the A.R.C. Summer Racing Carnival, and with good fieldsand a promise of glorious weather everything looks well for the gathering. Right from the heel of the island owners of racing animals havesent representatives to do battle for our purses, and with tip.toppers from Dunedin, Christchurch, and the Coast, our racers will have to gallop to keep the stakes from leaving the district. The tracks are all in first-rate order, and though the sun has been playing on them consistently of late, they have not assumed the baked condition so fatal to horses with weak spots. Particulars respecting the train arrangements will be found in our Turf Topic column, and before proceding with anticipatory remarks respecting the racing I may mention that the catering arrangements will be in the bands of Mr T. McEwin, who will as usual provide an excellent luncheon under the grandstand. THE CUP AND STEEPLECHASE. Since our last issue the Cup candidates have been slipped along in merry fashion, and the whole of the field promises to be very fit when the contest opens. The top-weight, St. Hippo, has done some good strong galloping, and up to date has given no hint that he will crack up before his preparation has been completed. There may have been an idea on the part of this stable to have a fly at the Cup with Three Star, but that racer executed a performance last Saturday which has mangled whatever chance he possessed —and I don’t think it was ever a very bright one. Three Star crashed through the fence separating the grass gallop from the course proper, and then fell under the chain that is stretched across the track when it is not open for work. He has been an absentee during the week, so I take it his buster was attended with serious consequences. Mr Gollan’s horse, The Possible, was stretched over good mile and a half trips on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, and from the way.he acquitted himself against the favourite for the Derby, I think he will be one of the hardest horses to x beat in the Cup. So far The Possible has not got-two. milesbut I believe that journey lies within his capacity

If he is ridden by Dawes, The Possible will have the services of a powerful and accomplished 'horseman, and should there be a pinch at the finish Dawes may be relied on to do Mr Gollan’s horse justice. Next comes Impulse, and here is, I think, the neglected horse of the handicap. He is a proved stayer, and has shown brilliance far above ordinary class, but for some reason he is out of favour for the Cup. It may be that there is a doubt abroad as to his soundness, and from the gait at which he has been worked lately I don’t think his people are too ready to give hi™ a fly in earnest. If they extended him a crack up might result. However, while he stands to his work I take him to be one of the best horses in the handicap. Pegasus would puzzle a Solomon. At Takapuna he was in bad form and ran worse; yet he bobs up at Ellerslie in the mornings, looking well, and gets through as good work as anything on the track. It’s a very general belief that Pegasus may silence his critics by winning this Cup, but I would be sorry to trust him with either spot cash or a tip. Three Star may be passed over, and Folly will not live out the distance. Dreamland goes well in the mornings, and is, I fancy, a certain place-getter, but I don’t think she will get premier position. Quiltiri has a beautiful weight, and will carry a lot of money, and carry it creditably ; but while recognising him as dangerous 1 prefer others. The rest I won’t have. Fit and well on race day St. Hippo is master of the crowd, but I would not trust him until he shows up at the post. My pair against the field are The Possible and St. Hippo, with a big preference for the former. The acceptance for the Steeplechase looks a fair one, but it is not, for several of the runners have not a 100 to 1 chance. Their owners ap 'parently think they have better prospects; but if ever-present hope was not firmly looted in the breasts of owners, racing clubs would get in a bad -way. Roscius was a decided favourite for this race until a wave of doubt came from his home that the son of Gladiator had hurt himself when working, and was not to be trusted io face the flag. He has not yet reached Auckland, but it may be well to remember that when he won our Summer Steeplechase last year he was reckoned a •cripple because he bled at the nose in his exercise gallops. But how did he stamp over his opponents on race day 1 So that he may bob up serenely in spite of reports to the contrary. His deposition from the position of favourite has given Fishmonger a lift-up in popular esteem ; and there’s no doubt, with 10.8 on the back of ‘‘old battle-axe,” the field will have to make no mistakes, or else he will be in the lead when they cross Crowther’s wall. I am not going to spread on this race, for, as I pointed out last week, if Tiritea reaches the post in good order he is my straight •out fancy. THE CLASSIC EVENTS. The second race on the opening day of the meeting will be the important Great Northern Foal Stakes, which promises to give rise to an interesting contest.. The Yaldhurst stable will be represented by two good ones in Epaulet and Uniform, the former of which is said to be very smart. The Hon. Mr Ormond’s representative, Defiance will make a bold bid for victory ; but with Armilia and St. Paul on our side there is a big prospect of the stake going to an Ellerslietrained racer. / . Armilla is my pick for this race. Before proceeding with my fancies for the minor events, I shall run through the Great Northern Derby candidates. On Osculator’s performance in the V.R.C. Derby, he is reckoned a good thing for this race, but, good as his chance undoubtedly is, he will have to move along at a better gait than was cut out when Wallace carried off the V.R.C. Blue Ribband in 2min 46sec. We have a candidate here, Fabulist, who will ensure a true pace; and St. Regel, also, will be found moving at a pretty slick gait. All the same, on his track work since his arrival at Ellerslie, Osculator •should register a win, but a bet on Fabulist will not be thrown away. THE MINOR HANDICAPS. When acceptances closed last night for the minor handicaps, owners made a very satisfactory reply and good fields would appear to be assured. In the six furlong Railway Handicap, St. Laura and St. Clements did not like the look of each other, so both went out anticipating the other would accepts With 91bs the best of St. Kilda, Musketry should beat him, and stands out as one of the best things in the handicap. His stable mate, Mauser, - has gone out. Linstock, on a par with Doris, should be beaten, and Forma (at 11b less) is not so good as the Ophelia mare. Still, you don’t know which Wright will prefer of the pair. His best will be hard to beat. The light weights have no chance. Musketry or Wright’s Best should win this handicap. The mile and a quarter Christmas Handicap is a hard race to pick, for it is a difficult matter to separate the Derby horses, Fabulist, Quiltiri, and St. Regel. For two, I like Quiltiri and St. Regel. A dozen remain in the Pony Race, which looks a good thing for one of the horses handicapped at 7st odd. As I pointed out last week, Arquebus must take no end of beating in this race, and a nut that will be hard to crack is the Sydney pony Romp, which I consider very lightly handicapped. Fidget must have a -chance, but I will pin my faith to Arquebus and Romp. There are thirteen in the first race of the meeting—the Trial Handicap. In this race a light-weight sure to be ignored is Frontignace, but my advice is. to put a trifle on him. Lord Dunluce will run well, and Musketry will also figure prominently. Doris is sure [to run well,

but I prefer her over six furlongs. Armour is another I have a big fancy for. Musketry and Armour are my pair, with Frontignac as an outsider. Nine have paid up for the Handicap Hurdles, of which I take the best to be Pansy, who, at 10.10, is given a nice scoring chance. Bombardier always has a chance. With him it is only, a matter of clean jumping, but he is so uncertain in that respect that I would never put a farthing on him. I like Pansy and Dante. There is a clinking field of sixteen in the Nursery Handicap. The Hon. Mr Ormond’s Daring heads the list, and I think he is booked to win a race at the meeting. My particular idea for this race is the Dunedin filly St. Ouida and Lady Anna is worth a bit. St. Ouida or Daring are my fancies, with Lady Anna next best.